Provincial Youth Officers and representatives from around the Anglican Communion gathered in Hong Kong for the triennial meeting of the International Anglican Youth Network (IAYN). Ireland was represented.
At this meeting sixteen representatives from fourteen provinces (see below) gathered to discuss ministry with young people in the Anglican Communion. A number of representatives were unable to attend due to visa difficulties, while others sent regrets and best wishes.
The IAYN members were welcomed to Hong Kong by the Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, the Most Reverend Paul Kwong. During the welcome dinner he explained the significance that ministry with young people has in the overall direction of the Province of HKSKH. IAYN wishes to express its immense gratitude to the Province of HKSKH for their tremendous hospitality and welcome: in particular the Primate, Provincial Secretary, Diocesan Youth Workers, Holy Carpenter Church and Rev Kwok Keung Chan.
Networks of the Anglican Communion are vital to its life and work; ministry with and amongst young people is a priority for the church. The IAYN meeting resolved to propose a number of resolutions to the 2012 meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council.
The first proposed resolution, which focuses on the further development of youth ministry across the Anglican Communion, desires to address the recent unrest and violence associated with young people. This unrest stems from a number of sources, including a sense of hopelessness, unhealthy ideals, individualism, consumerism and economic crisis. The Church is well placed to stem this tide of unrest through the education, nurture and empowerment of young people. The International Anglican Youth Network acts as an agent of the Anglican Communion to serve the needs of young people and those who minister with them.
Understanding the need for the continued support of young people in the Anglican Communion, and aligning with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement that a good educational system in a healthy society is one that builds character and virtue, the IAYN seeks to urge provinces to commit themselves to the further development of youth ministries through:
a) Developing opportunities and programs for youth leadership
b) Continuing to educate young people on what it means to be a Christian in the Anglican tradition
c) Appointing a committed and engaged youth officer to participate in the International Anglican Youth Network, and
d) Contributing financially to the work of the International Anglican Youth Network
The second proposed resolution encourages Provinces to come together in Regional Gatherings. These Regional gatherings would serve as opportunities to grow in faith, build relationships, share resources and gain a better understanding of our Anglican identity and the Anglican Communion.
In order to better facilitate the co-operative work of the churches of the Anglican Communion, a core value of the Anglican Consultative Council, the IAYN seeks to encourage a province from each of the five International Anglican Youth Network regions (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and Oceania) to host, coordinate and promote a regional gathering of those involved in youth ministry within the next three years.
The third resolution focuses on the transformative power of prayer. Prayer is an acknowledgement of the presence of God in our lives as well as in the life of our ministry. It is an opportunity for healing, guidance and renewal. A contemplative approach to ministry with young people allows for authentic listening, discernment and response. Some provinces already have formal prayers for children and youth that can be more thoroughly utilized while other provinces have the opportunity to develop these prayers. Intentional weekly prayer for young people on the corporate level moves the needs of young people into the consciousness of the Church.
Over recent times we have seen young people involved in violence and riots across the world; other young people are traumatized by war. Young people experience violence, they see it on the television and in movies – it is part of the fabric of their lives. Violence against young women and girls is a worldwide issue, not bound by national or provincial borders. This led IAYN to the final resolution which focuses on affirming our Baptism Covenant.
Our shared Baptismal Covenant asks that we serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbours as ourselves; and as Anglicans we are called to respect the dignity of others, therefore the IAYN strongly encourages Provinces and Dioceses to use of “Ending Violence Against Young Women and Girls,” a resource it has developed as a method to both educate the Anglican Communion about the nature of this crisis and provide a call to action. This study will be circulated to all Provinces with the Buenas Nuevas early next year.
Buenas Nuevas is the journal of the IAYN that includes articles from around the Communion that desire to resource youth leaders and inspire people working with young people. The next issue will be circulated in early 2012 and will contain articles written by the Network members arising from the topics discussed at our August Network meeting.
During our time together we explored a number of concerns like human trafficking and rebuilding after natural disasters. As part of this dialogue the Network choose to commit itself to a dedicated project for 12 months from September 2011 to September 2012. The project IAYN adopted is the ‘Let Us Walk Together Project’.
‘Let Us Walk Together Project’ is a project of the NSKK (Church of Japan) which focused on walking with those who face hardships arising from the Eastern Japan Earthquake and assisting the survivors in rebuilding their lives and communities. News of this work made a strong impact on the conference it was agreed that supporting such a project will help young people and youth workers to understand more about the Anglican Communion, our inter-connectedness, and specific needs and responses in certain places.
A full report of the IAYN meeting will be available on the IAYN website by the end of September 2011.
For more information:
Webpage – http://iayn.anglicancommunion.org/
Coordinators – Revd Douglas Fenton; gdfenton@gmail.com and Revd Peter Ball peter.ball@churchofengland.org.uk
Steering Group Convenor – Maropeng Moholoa; maropeng@hopeafrica.org.za
Communications Officer – Revd Steven Schwarzrock; revsteven@bigpond.com
Provinces represented: Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; Australia; Canada; England; Hong Kong; Indian Ocean; Ireland; Japan; Pakistan; Philippines; Southern Africa; USA; Wales; West