This past year, St. John’s Ministry goals have been to

Connect with God,

as a church,

and in the community through

  1. music,
  2. food and
  3. children, youth and families.

In the lead up to Vestry (St. John’s AGM) at the end of February, I will take some time to reflect upon what these goals have looked like in supporting us to follow Jesus and Love God and our Neighbour in the Sea to Sky over the past year.

 

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

-   Matthew 19:14

Children, Youth and Families, in one form or another, has been one of our goals for a number of years at St. John’s. And I think that what we are seeing now is the fruit of that faithfulness, that persistent prayer, work and preparation.

When I first arrived, we made some activity bags (which we still have!) Shortly after I started doing children’s time (even when there were no children, which was almost always). And though I dreamed and prayed, I would have had a hard time imagining where we are now. God did what God so often does: “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine….from generation to generation…”

Tot Time, Family Feasts, Youth Group, Sunday mornings, and, and, and…

Sometimes, all I can say is, God is good.

There are three things that I want to highlight and celebrate for this goal from 2025:

  1. Receiving the Diocese’s support to hire Melanie – our Children, Youth and Family Ministry Worker. Already, I have been so grateful for the work that she has been doing to activate these ministries.
  2. The many, many people who volunteer in these ministries. It is a blessing to be doing this beautiful work together with an astounding number of people, who have so much heart for young people and their families (there is always room for more!)
  3. The young people who have themselves been offering ministry and leadership in our parish. Of course, I must name our youth delegate, Madelyn, whose voice and initiative have been invaluable to parish council and the life and ministry of the parish. However, I have also witnessed young people stepping up to help at the Christmas Bazaar, signing up to greet, and offering their service in a variety of ways. It has touched my heart.  

To parents/grandparents/caregivers: thank you for choosing St. John’s and being active in your faith. I pray that you are blessed even a fraction of the amount that your presence is a blessing to our community. I encourage you to continue to make this a priority in your lives and the lives of your family. You are the most important people in the spiritual formation and faith development of your children and grandchildren.  

To everyone else at St. John’s: Even if you are not an “official” volunteer, you are a part of creating a culture at this parish where families are welcome and belong. Please, connect with, encourage, pray for, share your faith with and welcome young people and their families. All of us have a responsibility to teach and form our young people in the faith – the Way of Jesus – the Way of Love. However, we also have much to learn from our young people about being a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us be just as open to learning and being formed in our faith by them.

To ALL of God’s children at St. John’s: May we continue to deepen and refine our ministry for and with children, youth and families. May this continue to be one of the most important ways that we connect, with God, as a church, and in the community. May God continue to surprise us beyond our wildest dreams and imaginings.

Thanks be to God!

CG+