Provincial Synod through Youthful Eyes

This past week, I had the privilege of participating as a youth delegate at the Ontario Provincial Synod for the Anglican Church of Canada in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The theme of the week, “Conversations at the Crossroads”, prompted deep reflection on the words from Jeremiah 6:16, leading us to consider the following questions: Why are we gathered here? What are we being called to do? And where do we go from here?

Throughout the week, we engaged in many challenging discussions, and I feel so fortunate to have been part of them. The Primate’s Commission on Reimagining the Church brought forward many crucial issues, including the need to amplify Indigenous voices and ensure greater representation of young people in church governance. These conversations are far from over; there is still significant work ahead of us.

One of the most impactful experiences was our visit to Algoma University, where we toured the site of the former Shingwauk Residential School. This visit was both eye-opening and deeply emotional, reinforcing- ing the importance of acknowledging our past and understanding its ongoing implications. Additionally, my fellow youth delegates and I had the unique opportunity to share meals with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, whose wisdom and insights enriched our discussions and made such a meaningful impact to my week. The youth delegates made an impact at this Synod too. Our engagement resulted in the successful motion to allocate $10,000 towards youth initiatives across the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. Despite being outnumbered, we found our voices and made a tangible difference! Advocating for greater youth involvement in church governance was so important to us, and the unwavering support we received from those who voted in favour of our motion was both inspiring and heartwarming. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made us feel heard and valued. To my fellow youth delegates, Noah and Rebecca, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us as we continue to represent our generation within the church. Our voices matter, and I am so excited about the future we are helping to shape!