YouthTrek is for youth (ages 12-17) and their leaders and will take place at Southminster United, Lethbridge. Buses will pick up youth at locations in Calgary, Okotoks and Fort Macleod on Friday, October 4 or you can plan to arrive at Southminster for approximately 4 pm.
Check out the schedule and registration. Bursaries are available!

Re:unite is the annual retreat for young adults (age 18-35) and will take place at Camp Firm, Cha7elkwnech, Gambier Island, BC. Details and registration HERE.

The post Fall 2024 youth and young adult events appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

The First-Third Ministry Staff and Ilinca Poon, Symons Valley United; Nik Sloat, McDougall United; and Rev. Rachel Nadon, Knox United, Drumheller, organized an amazing YouthTrek experience again this year. This year 33 participants, including youth and youth leaders, traveled across Southern Alberta to Drumheller for a weekend Youth Retreat, September 29-October 1, 2023. During this three-day retreat, we delved deeper into Reconciliation and what it means to live into apology throughout our time together. This was a weekend of theological reflection, learning, and building relationships for everyone in attendance.

We began the weekend exploring the Royal Tyrell Museum, learning about fossils, dinosaurs, evolution, and the multitude of creatures who roamed this part of the world before the humans who hunted Woolly Mammoth called this place home. Next, we went bowling, so we could learn each other’s names and get to know one another. Then we headed to Knox United Church in Drumheller to settle into the place where we would be spending most of our time over the weekend.

After breakfast on Saturday, we were joined by our Métis Cree Elder, who was there to help guide us for the weekend. We shared in morning worship, and theological reflection for the theme, then we walked downtown to attend and participate in the local TRC event happening in town.

The TRC event was organized with a balance of speakers, drumming and dancers. As each dancer came onto the stage the regalia, style of dance, and meaning of the dance were explained prior to each performance. The speakers came from a variety of backgrounds and shared different perspectives on how the TRC has impacted our lives. We had the opportunity to hear an Elder who is a survivor share a prayer in Blackfoot. Another speaker shared the generational impact of having survivors raise them. A local federal politician came to say a few words. An Indigenous Author came and read one of her children’s books about reclaiming language. A local teacher and her students shared a poem. Rev. Rachel Nadon went up with some of the YouthTrek participants to share a few words explaining the role our denomination had in managing 15 of the institutions under the Residential School System and read The United Church of Canada’s 1986 and 1998 Apologies to Indigenous people. The gathering ended with a round dance and we shared in a feast together.

One of the elders shared she never thought she would see the day when people representing the government, schools, church, non-indigenous and indigenous would share in a round dance together. To witness this made her heart sing.

When we returned to the church we took some time for reflection, the youth took time to prepare Sunday Morning Worship and had time for more community building and games. The link to the Sunday service can be found on the Knox, Drumheller YouTube Page, under the live tab.

The post YouthTrek Drumheller: An Amazing Experience appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

First Third Ministry is so excited to announce that applications for Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Youth Councils are open! 
   
We are inviting youth 14-17 to apply to our regional youth councils. We’re seeking six youth per region, 12 total, for this unique leadership opportunity. Youth Council members will represent youth from across our regions, reflecting the diverse experiences and needs of young people from different communities of faith. 
 
Members will support the engagement of youth in the life, work, and ministry of the Church beyond their home Communities of Faith, with opportunities to travel for leadership retreats, advocate for the spiritual and justice needs of young people, and take active leadership roles in the governance of Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds regions.  

We hope that you have youth in your congregations interested in a wider experience of The United Church of Canada, and eager to participate in the leadership and governance of our regions. However, no previous UCC experience is required to participate. If you have a youth in your youth ministry or in the wider community who you know has leadership potential, with a passion for justice and a desire for connection with other young folks from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, have them apply today! 
 
Want to learn more? Check out the First Third Ministry website, or ask Chris at chrismahpoy@united-church.ca

The post Apply for Regional Youth Council: Seeking 14-17 year-olds appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

        First Third Ministry, youth and youth leaders from Chinook Winds Regional Council gathered at Waterton United Church for the first-ever regional YouthTrek on October 28-30, 2022. Youth and leaders from Coaldale, Lethbridge, Okotoks, Aldersyde, Drumheller and Calgary gathered to explore the Road to Emmaus.
       On our trek, we explored the different ways we experience the life and ministry of Jesus through our different senses, the ways in which we recognize the divine in others, how we can welcome the stranger in our ministries, and how we can build a beloved community for youth. We received spiritual and reconciliation wisdom from Rev. Tony Snow, Chinook Winds Indigenous Ministries Lead, explored living history at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and worshipped together as regional youth.
      We’re very grateful to the folks at Waterton United Church for their hospitality, and we want to extend our thanks to all the leaders and participants who made this weekend possible.
      — from Chris Mah Poy, Chinook Winds First Third Ministry Animator

Please click on images below to enlarge photos & read captions

The post Youth Trek Waterton 2022: Recognizing the Divine in Others appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

We are excited about these two in-person youth conferences!
Youth Trek Waterton (Alberta) and Youth Trek Kamloops (BC) bring Youth from Alberta, BC and Yukon together!
    These events are for Youth (13-17) and their leaders. Come make new tracks in these post-pandemic days, as always in the way of JC! The Waterton youth event takes place October 28-30, 2022 and the Kamloops one will be October 21-23, 2022.

• Registration is now open! You can register HERE
• Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Animator, Chinook Winds Region.

The post Get Ready for Youth Trek this October 2022! appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

First Third Ministry is pleased to invite you to a Campus Ministry Conversation on Friday, January 28th or Saturday, January 29th. We’re grateful for this opportunity to give campus ministry leadership a platform to share experiences of campus ministry during the pandemic; the highs, lows and highlights of campus life, and how we can continue to support students in Chinook Winds Region.

Friday, January 28th from 7 – 8:30 pm MTN Join us this evening to hear from students and campus ministry leaders, and those who are passionate about campus ministry. We look forward to hearing about Campus Ministry programs region-wide, and from leaders on universities campuses across Chinook Winds Region as to why Campus Ministry is vital to them. 

Saturday, January 29th from 9 am-10:30 am, 11-12:30 pm, and 1-2:30 pm Please join us for a day of Campus Ministry consultation in Chinook Winds Regional Council. We would invite UCC folks from across the region to three sessions of discernment and discussion about Campus Ministry and its future in Chinook Winds.
Please register HERE

First Third Ministry is the children, youth, young adult and family ministry of Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regions.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Animator, Chinook Winds Region.

The post Invitation to the Chinook Winds Regional Campus Ministry Conversation appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

By Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Coordinator, Chinook Winds

Youth Forum for General Council 44 will be online in 2022. What you might not know, and what First Third Ministry Network is excited to announce is that Youth Forum Delegates will get a unique opportunity to do a paid internship as part of their participation in Youth Forum.

Hold the phone; what’s General Council and what’s Youth Forum? I’m glad you asked! General Council is the triennial (every three years) national business meeting of The United Church of Canada (UCC). In our system of governance, The United Church of Canada consists of formal gatherings called “courts” where decisions are made via a democratic process. General Council is the national equivalent to our Regional Gatherings; the national “court” where representatives of the UCC from across the country gather to discuss and advocate for issues like Reconciliation, Affirming Ministry, Climate Justice and more; where visions for new and innovative ministry are presented and where proposals are examined and adopted by the national church.

Youth Forum is a part of the General Council where United Church youth from across the country get to gather in leadership and worship to advocate for the needs of youth in the church and promote youth leadership in all aspects of church life.

We are so excited about this unique opportunity for youth in Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regions to network with United Church youth nationwide, build community connections and develop their leadership skills.

The current schedule for Youth Forum includes:

• February 4-6: Community Building, Home Groups, Worship and Mock Session of General Council
• February 13: Worship and Opening Motions to Constitute General Council 44
• March-May: Monthly Listening and Learning Sessions and Home Group Time
• June 16-18: General Council 44 Discernment and Discussion
• July 4-August 26: Youth Forum Delegates Summer Employment Period
• July 22-26: General Council 44 Decision-Making
• August 7: Moderator Service of Installation

HOW YOUTH AGES 15 to 19 CAN APPLY FOR YOUTH FORUM
This is a unique opportunity for The United Church of Canada, where young leaders can have a real impact on the direction of the church, now and into the future. Youth ages 15-19 with a keen interest in the twin paths of discipleship and community action are invited to apply HERE

HOW TO APPLY TO BE A HOME GROUP LEADER

The planning team for Youth Forum at GC44 is also seeking qualified individuals to act as Home Group Leaders during the online Youth Forum Winter Retreat. Home Group leaders will work with First Third Ministry animators to care for and support our youth delegates during the retreat. Home Groups are integral to the experience, providing an open and inclusive space to meet other young people from across the church, fostering a community of deep relationships, sharing ideas and process information, as well as providing structure around Duty of Care and accountability. Good leadership of these groups is crucial for the success of the Youth Forum.

If you’re interested in applying to be a Home Group Leader, please apply HERE

First Third is excited about the possibilities these new opportunities will bring to our regional youth and we hope you’ll apply!

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Mah Poy or Jake Highfield

For more information about GC44 please visit the website at https://generalcouncil44.ca/

The post New Possibilities, New (Job) Opportunities for Youth Forum @ General Council appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

With the fourth wave of COVID-19 is in full swing, and the case count rising across BC and Alberta, both the young adult retreat; Holy Listening and the youth retreat; YouthTrek, planned for September and October respectively have been postponed until 2022.

Coming this Fall 2021

We are planning to continue with our online confirmation course this fall, and look forward to connecting with people who wish to deepen their spiritual journey. These events will be held over Zoom, with an in-person retreat held in early 2022.
         Please stay tuned for announcements regarding small group events being held locally this fall.
       

Participate in our Weekly Leadership Meetings

We strongly encourage children, youth and family ministry leaders to join us at our weekly leadership meetings on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm MT for fellowship and collaboration. It’s a busy time as we return to worship and school, and we are grateful to lean on each other’s experiences and share best practices for our ministries. You can register HERE

Finally, as children, educators, parents and caregivers return to school this fall we wanted to let you know that we are holding all of your in thought and prayer.
       For many of our communities, we celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks, so I wanted to share with you this very brief blessing:

Blessing of the Backpacks

Blessed be the backpack, that most essential piece of gear,

The place where lunch is packed and snack is snacked for the rest of this school year.
O ’Backpack, go on this epic journey, and bring gym shorts home to be washed,
Pack books, and pens, and notes from new-made friends, and keep the homework from getting squashed.
       Know that this backpack and its bearer are blessed by their community
Empowered by the loving spirit; a teacher, a guide in times of great uncertainty.
Creator, our loving mentor, thank you for the gift of knowledge,
Bless this backpack and its bearer, even right-through on-to college.


If your congregation is looking for resources for return to school worship definitely check out the Illustrated Ministry Blessing of the Backpacks Worship Guide (it’s free!!)

Questions? Email Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry, Justice and Ministry Networks Coordinator. 

The post First Third Ministry Update & Backpack Blessing appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

 Greetings from the First Third Ministry Team! We were so excited to announce this new inter-regional partnership at the Chinook Winds Regional Gathering, May 7-9, 2021, and while we wish we could have connected in person, we’re grateful for the technology that allowed us to gather safely.         
        For those of your who were not able to join us, Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Councils are excited to announce a new First Third Ministry Partnership that seeks to imagine, connect and equip children, youth and young adult ministry (First Third of Life) in Southern Alberta, BC and the Yukon, so that all may know the Way of Jesus Christ and the Love of God.  Pamela Evans, Mary Nichol and Chris Mah Poy presented at the Chinook Winds Regional Gathering.

Chris Mah Poy will be stepping into a new role as First Third Coordinator for Chinook Winds Region and can continue to be contacted at the same email address. The First Third Ministry Partnership and new regional position are made possible by Chinook Winds and the legacy of St. Matthew’s United Church in Calgary. We’re so grateful for St. Matthew’s support of children, youth and young adult ministry.

We’re looking forward to establishing relationships with those in children, youth and young adult ministry, those who support them, and most importantly our regional youth! There are a number of events in the planning phase and there will be more announcements about programs, training and resources as we move into the spring.  

         We want to hear from folks who have a passion for First Third Ministry, and we hope you’ll visit our Online Info Booth below. Please take the time to tell us about yourselves and your ministry!  Visit Online Info Booth

          Many of you have ordered the Faith-at-Home Pentecost Kits and there are still a few available if your ministry team is interested. Available HERE

Thank you all for your support! 

Sincerely, The First Third Ministry Team.

BELOW Is the First Third Ministry Team:

The post Introducing First Third Ministry appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.