I told Dana Friday morning that I couldn’t think of anything to write about in my blog. All morning (at least up until that point) I had been thinking, pessimistically, “I’ve got nothing.”
Dana said … “write about Alana’s visit”.
Nepotism alert. My daughter, Alana Martin, is coming to Bethany to do a Regional Workshop on Children’s Spirituality, to facilitate an evening with our young adults, and will preach on Sunday morning.
“Well”, I thought, “that’s not a bad idea”.
Often I get ideas for my blog from looking at old pictures of my kids. They have always been my inspiration for writing. I found one that spoke to me. I texted Alana to see if it was ok to share a picture from her childhood. She said “ha ha ha I don’t mind. What does it have to do with me coming next week? (insert emoji here) … or is this a proud mother kind of thing?”
Without even thinking I responded “Exactly. Who knows what future leaders lurk in the little bodies of our children and youth?”
This was the picture that spoke to me … I said to her “Looks like you were born to lead.”
We were on a boat in Ketch Harbour, where her grandparents lived. She certainly looks like she is holding court … or perhaps trying to distract me from my tendency to be seasick every time I get on the water. It even looks like she has liturgical garb on.
Alana has worked for the GO Project for over 15 years. The GO Project is a UCC National Program that provides resources, curriculum, camp experiences, leadership training, and support to congregations for Children, Youth and Young Adults. She began as one of the young adult leaders in the summer program, became a program leader, and for the last 5 years has been the Minister to the GO Project. The program has changed tremendously since it began nearly 20 years ago as an intensive 10 day summer program in several places across Canada.
To be clear, I was involved in supporting the GO Project summer camp experiences here in Halifax long before Alana got involved. As I like to remind her sometimes. I support the program because I have seen the difference it makes in the lives of young people, and in the lives of congregations.
One of the four priorities that I was tasked with when my position was extended last May was to “explore ways of reaching out to younger generations.” Well, I couldn’t imagine a better way of figuring out how to do that than by contacting the GO Project to see what was going on out there.
It turns out that last summer Alana had hired Bethany’s own Kyla Mills to help her conduct research on the evolution and present state of Children’s Ministry in the UCC. Louisa, Ann, Dana and I talked and decided to spend some time with Alana in conversation last fall, and were so fascinated by some of the research she and Kyla did that we asked her to come for a weekend in the winter so we could take a deeper dive.
The workshop on Saturday morning is not only for those working directly with our young people. It is also to give leaders at Bethany (and any other congregations in the area), parents, and any interested in this topic, some ideas about how things have changed over many decades, and how a faith community can support a culture of welcome, nurture, and relationship building across generations. And that’s the responsibility of everyone in the faith community.
There are other things on the go as well.
Ann, Louisa and I attended a webinar this week about “Working with Gen Z´… those young people born between 1997-2012. We had some illuminating and insightful conversations which we will be eager to share and put into practice. And, we recognized that we have some serious adapting to do in order to not only mentor this generation but also to make the space for them to offer their many gifts to the community on their terms. We also need to recognize and make space for the concerns and passions about the world that this generation embodies.
Dana took several of our youth to Bedford United Church last Sunday night for a monthly United Church gathering called “What’s the Point? HRM Youth Cluster”. Apparently all had a wonderful time and they look forward to the next one. Pictures below.
The idea of “clusters” is one that was imagined when the UCC restructured it’s governance and organizational structure in 2019. The idea is that clusters of UCC folk in different congregations, would gather to share ideas, cooperate and work together on specific projects or topics, recognizing that all communities of faith are experiencing dwindling resources to do those things on their own.
Just in the past year Bethany has been part of a cluster of North End United churches (Hillside, Hope and St. John’s along with Bethany) to offer joint services and programs. Bethany hosted the 100th Anniversary service last June, and Hilliside hosted a Blue Christmas service. Plans are under way for joint Lenten services (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday) and also some special events and programs. Next Sunday St. John’s hosts a special event with Dr. Henry Bishop in honour of Black History Month, and on Feb. 7 Bethany will host a workshop with the GO Project.
Dana is part of a cluster of staff in the Region called the Administry Group. We are also part of an Affirming Ministry Cluster in HRM.
The idea of clusters is long overdue. Those attending from Bethany are finding both inspiration and support as we share stories and imagine what can be done together.
Well, I guess I had some things to say after all.
And yes, I will own the nepotism and pride when we welcome Alana to our community Feb. 6-8. She used to get mildly frustrated when she started working in the national structures that many folks would ask her “are you Martha Martin’s daughter?” That’s totally flipped in the past 5 years or so … now … more often than not, folks ask me “Are you Alana Martin’s mother?” I don’t mind. Another proud mother moment.
