Print
this page
Email
this page Gatherings - Connecticut 2004
Trinity Conference Center, West Cornwall, Connecticut, USA April
29 – May 2, 2004
Present:
Australia: Steven Schwarzrock
Brazil:Dessordi Liete
Central Africa: Arthur Chaponda
England: Peter Ball
Hong Kong: Kin-Wah Wong
Indian Ocean: Tiana More
Ireland: David Brown
Japan: Timothy Nomura
Jerusalem and the Middle East: Samuel Barhoum
Korea: Simon Na
Melanesia:Luke Memua
New Zealand: John Hebenton
Philippines: Feliciano Balangui
Scotland: Rob Whiteman
Southern Africa: Sabelo Mashwama
Tanzania: David Mdabuko
United States: Douglas Fenton
Wales: Pam Richards
West Indies & Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) Youth Rep: Candace Payne
Guests:
Delene Mark, Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN), Youth Rep
Issac Johnson, Mar Thoma Church
Anglican Observer to the UN: Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Matalavea
Regrets:
NorthIndia: Suvabrota Das
Pakistan: Insar Gohar
South India: Paul F Ravichandran
Sudan: Evans Loburu
Rwanda: Mugyenzi Tito Kambari
Uganda: LubwamaRoberts
Iglesia Filipina Independiente: Iris Agustin (Guest)
Note:
No Provincial Youth Officers at this time: Canada; Papua New Guinea
An invitation to attend a meeting of all Provincial Youth Officers was issued in August 2003 by Mr Peter Ball, Youth Officer, Church of England and the Rev’d Douglas Fenton, Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries Officer, Episcopal Church, USA. Some members wishing to be present were prevented due to visa restrictions. The meeting, hosted by the Episcopal Church, USA, was held at Trinity Conference Center, West Cornwall, Connecticut, USA.
Each delegate reported on the work being undertaken with youth and young adults in their respective provinces.
It was determined that the most practical way to work, and following the example of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network, resulted in regions being defined based upon those present. The regions are: Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Middle East. A representative and an alternate from each region were chosen by the region’s delegates. America: Dessordi Liete (Brazil), Africa: Sabelo Mashwama (Southern Africa), Asia: Feliciano Belangui (Philippine Episcopal Church), Oceania: John Hebenton (New Zealand); and Europe and the Middle East: Samuel Barhoum (Jerusalem and the Middle East).
Peter Ball and Douglas Fenton were asked to continue as co-Administrators of the Network for the present.
A mission statement for the Network was drafted and after discussion the following was unanimously agreed:
We are a network of persons involved in ministry among young people at the provincial level uniting young people within the Anglican Communion.
Our Aims:
Ministry among Young People
- To raise the profile of youth ministry in the Anglican Communion.
- To increase resources and support of youth ministry.
Ministry of Young People
- To create a communion in which young people are strengthened.
- To develop and support young people in their ministry.
- To advocate on behalf of young people to ensure participation within the Church.
- To encourage the inclusion of young people at all levels in the decision-making of the Church.
The discussion moved to the financial contribution that would be appropriate from each Province towards the future of the Network. It was recognized that all Provinces represented had an obligation to make efforts to secure such funding from their Province. A minimum figure was seen as US$500 and all agreed to make some contribution, however small, while there was space for those who could contribute more to do so. The results of this exercise within each Province should be communicated to the Anglican Communion Office by Advent 2004 and the amount must be clearly designated so that it is paid into the IAYN account. It is the responsibility of the Provincial Youth Officer/representative to do this. It was agreed that the Steering Committee would produce a pro-forma letter to facilitate this process.
Candace Payne (West Indies) is currently the only youth representative to the Anglican Consultative Council. A request has been received to add another youth representative. Candace has one meeting left and then an additional youth representative will need to be found. Delene Mark is the youth representative to the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN). As with Candace she had been selected at the last IAYN Gathering in Wales. Delene has asked that another young adult be appointed to replace her on APJN.
The Network received a report from Archdeacon Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Matalavea, Anglican Observer to the UN. She encouraged the Youth Network in its resolve to be involved in both the work of the UN and of the Anglican Communion.
The Steering Committee met to determine the structure and dates for meetings. It was determined that a rotating convenor would best meet the needs of the Committee. The first meeting will be hosted by Samuel Barhoum from February 1-6, 2005 in Jerusalem. The meeting will also be a time for the committee to learn something of the work with young adults in the region. Sabelo Mashwama agreed to be the meeting’s convenor. The next subsequent meeting is planned for South Africa.
Top
