Dispatches from the Confirmation Weekend
Twelve youth and nine leaders participated in the Weekend Confirmation Booster at Bells Corners UC on January 16th and 17th. The program began with a smudge circle led by the EOOR YAYA minister Dana Ducette followed by a sensory worship service created for the youth by Rev. Frank Emanuel (Britannia UC). The Narthex and Sanctuary space was set up to explore their faith journey through five stations. Each station was arranged with printed cards to read and a prompt to meditate or perform an action. The evening continued with the creation of the group covenant and a Kitchen conversation around our titles(brother, friend etc.), who we are and our stories. Joshua Riddoch(Kanata UC) provided an overview of the last 2000 years of Christianity in 20 minutes ending with a very competitive quiz in which all participants got a small prize. The youth took the reins and helped each other when someone was stumped with a question showing great care for one another. Joshua did a tremendous job and showed great courage for not only creating and leading the workshop for the youth but for doing so in front of the five reverends sitting at the back! One of whom is a Theology professor! The evening continued with Rev. Eric Pagé(Trinity St. Andrew’s UC) leading the discussion on the Trinity. This discussion went on for so long we scrapped the plan to visit Christ Church Bells Corners and kept talking. These are the moments you hope for and appreciate as pure gold in the Youth and Young Adult ministry landscape. In the end, the conversation helped us each understand a bit more about what our youth are thinking and reminded us that in the work of growing in our faith, we all move in and out of being heretics at some point along the way. The evening wrapped up with a competitive game of basketball in the gym and a pillow fight. The one challenge to the groups sleep was the realization the security light in the hallway had no off switch, but the leaders MacGyvered a solution with Bristol board and painters’ tape. Thank God for Youth Leaders to navigate situations like this.
Saturday morning came early with Rev. Kim, Nikki Nel and Marg Eddy in the kitchen frying bacon and making waffles for the group. Once breakfast was done, Dana sat down with the group to talk about UCC history with Revs. Lorrie Lowes and Tamara Connors(Bells Corners UC) contributing Diaconal ministry content. Emily Gardiner (LLWL Bethel Rideau Ferry UC) provided morning worship and then hosted a discussion along with Kael Fowler (Bells Corners UC) about their experience at the Montreal Mission Internship program offered through the Diocesan College with the United Theological College. This initiative is open to youth over 18 and includes a work placement and living as an intentional faith community over 9 weeks each summer. Before lunch Rev. Kim Vidal(Bells Corners UC) hosted the Bible 101 workshop and in the afternoon, Rev. Lorrie Lowes facilitated the exploration of the New Creed, Song of Faith and UCC Social Justice. Rev. Tamara lead the group through a labyrinth workshop and the day wrapped with dinner and communion lead by Rev. Frank.
Much gratitude to everyone who supported all aspects of the weekend from food prep and dishes to theological reflection and leadership – all were equally important and are appreciated. Not to forget contributions of time, sleep, baked goods, and faith in supporting the youth and young adults in the Region. We are blessed. Miigwetch.
Lastly, special thanks to Sebastian Pagé for being an amazing 5-year-old amongst all the big kids. So glad you got to experience your first of hopefully many, church sleep over with your Dad.
-Dana Ducette, YAYA Minister
