Congregating junior youth in small-town Saskatchewan may seem like a counter-intuitive way for them to discover their part in the global church body, but that’s what the purpose of this year’s Saskatchewan Mennonite Youth Organization (SMYO) junior high retreat was.
Besides “Being a part of the global church body,” a second theme for the retreat, held at Youth Farm Bible Camp near Rosthern from Oct. 2 to 4, 2015, was “Helping the church with your God-given talent.”
Kirsten Hamm-Epp, Mennonite Church Saskatchewan’s area church youth minister; Anna Rehan, former area church youth minister; and Willard Metzger, executive director of MC Canada, all spoke on these subjects throughout the retreat.
Willard Metzger emphasized the importance of everyone sharing their unique and wonderful gifts with the church. As an activity, he asked the youth to create a mock worship service in which they were all ushers. It was indeed a very welcoming experience, but hands soon tired and no one found their seats. Throughout all the levels of church, from local to global, diversity is the strength of the church, he said.
During a coffee house on the evening of Oct. 3, youth shared their talents with one another during the coffee house. Music was played, jokes were shared, and some absolutely terrifying stories were told by the sweetest and most innocent appearing young ladies.
Being able to fathom a global church is one thing, but figuring out an individual’s place within the global church is a slightly more daunting thought process. During the weekend, music, pictures and experiences from this year’s Mennonite World Conference assembly in Pennsylvania were shared to remind youth that they share beliefs with many others from around the world.
Youth also brought their bikes so that they could participate in Ride for Refuge, an international event that raises money for displaced, vulnerable and exploited people, including Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
Hailey Funk, an SMYO committee member, said of the retreat: “I think it’s important to get together as Saskatchewan youth, and bond and get to know each other and worship God together! And just have so much fun!”
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