Update on Youth Group

Over the past couple of years St. George's has partnered with St. Peter's Anglican Church in Comox to provide a youth group for pre-teens and teens focused on ecology, indigenous justice and the spiritual life. Through generous grants from the United Church Foundation, Anglican Church of Canada Foundation, and the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia, St. Peter's was able to hire Jenna Spowart as our joint Youth Minister. Under her leadership and the dedication of volunteers from both congregations, the group grew and built some significant connections with both churched and unchurched kids.

This summer, after St. Peter's grant ran out, they indicated they would no longer continue the partnership. This has also meant, unfortunately, that St. George's was not in the position to take on the Youth Minister position from St. Peter's.

The St. George's Board, however, discerned a strong desire to continue this ministry, even in a different capacity. A group of volunteers from the youth group met and has decided to at least continue with Friday night youth group get-togethers to continue the youth group's core purpose. We are unsure what else we might do beyond that, but hope to know more once our children's minister, Sarah Zezchuk, begins, and the Board meets in September.

We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to St. Peter's, staff, and the volunteers who assisted in building this vibrant ministry. We especially offer our deepest thanks to Jenna Spowart for her leadership, and hope to honour her tenure formally in the months ahead.