In Winnipeg

Well, someone mentioned to me today that people have been checking my blog and waiting for an update. I have been run off my feet since I left last Sunday. We met Sunday night and spent the next few days frantically preparing for 1200 youth to arrive on Thursday morning.
Thursday morning 1200 youth arrived to register and participate in welcome activities in various rooms. The afternoon began with a "Large Group Gathering" which is a combination of keynote speaker, worship led by our very own gathering band, presentations by the drama team and video presentations put together by the volunteer production team. The theme was introduced briefly and information about the national youth project that has been promoted over the past 2 years, the Habitat for Humanity House was presented. Youth then were sent out in batches of 200 to do a "Faith Walk" where they walked through the city of Winnipeg carrying banners and chanting chants about affordable housing. They stopped at stations along the way where each of the 7 bishops (1 National, 5 Synodical and 1 Anglican) present spoke to the groups about various poverty and housing issues. All 1200 of us gathered in front of the Manitoba Legislature to hear read aloud a proclamation urging Stephen Harper to keep his promise to provide funding for affordable housing. Along the way youth also filled out postcards to send the Mr. Harper to share their feelings. We were all dismayed to hear that coincidentally that evening Stephen Harper cut his affordable housing project and all the funding that had gone with it.
Friday was a day of fun in the sun. Youth attended another Large Group gathering in the morning and then head out to various workshops and forums. Topics covered included internet luring, a panel by the bishops, African drumming and many more. In the afternoon everyone headed down to the Forks and enjoyed an afternoon of activities, a live concert and a BBQ dinner. One of the activities at the Forks was a dunk tank where youth were invited to make a donation to throw balls at pastors, leaders and youth. Over $500 dollars was raised for the Habitat for Humanity project.
Today (Saturday) was a serving day. We met in a large group gathering this morning where youth washed each other's feet. This afternoon everyone was sent out to various parts of the city to serve the community in different ways. The two largest events were car washes, one at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' stadium where over $1300 was raised in just over 2 hours which will be split between the United Way and the Blue Bombers' charitable foundation. The other large car wash was at the Goldeyes' stadium where just over $800 was raised to also be split between the United Way and the Goldeyes' charitable foundation. Youth also collected garbage, cleaned churches, painted and sorted items at CLWR and the Habitat Restore.
It's hard to believe that it's almost over. After two years of serving on the National Planning Committee I have become friends with the people I serve with and we have all worked very hard to make this event happen. Tomorrow we will have our closing worship and bid good-bye to the youth and their leaders and then celebrate our successful event. Monday we pack up and say good-bye to each other.
This weekend has again reaffirmed to me the incredible gift the church has in our youth. They are passionate, enthusiastic and faithful men and women.
I am completely exhausted and often have to deal with a variety of frustrations, issues and problems which cause me to sometimes wonder why we do all of this but all I have to do is talk to some youth and it quickly becomes clear.
For more news and some pictures of the event please go to http://youth.elcic.ca/FSLive/index.html .
I fly home Monday and then have a few days at home before I begin my next adventure moving to Saskatoon to finish seminary. Life is definitely an adventure right now!