Pilgrimage to Rendez-Vous 2017

Application for Leadership

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage
Psalm 84:5

Description of the Program

Rendez-Vous 2017 is a national gathering for youth, young adults, and leaders. It is an opportunity to come together and worship, dream and connect with one another. This event will provide a showcase for local, regional and national ministry ideas, speakers and musicians. Participants will take part in inspired and powerful worship, listen to engaging and relevant speakers, participate in workshops and exposure trips and create community with peers from across this country.

Rendez-Vous is an event for all people who are passionate about youth and young adult ministries in The United Church of Canada.

Rendez-Vous is for high school aged youth who want to connect with other young people sharing the same struggles and search for meaning in life.

Rendez-Vous is for young adults discerning where and how God is calling them to live their life.

Rendez-Vous is for educators and leaders who desire a better understanding of the value of youth and young adult ministry and desire contextual, theologically based resources to serve their ministries faithfully.

The Faith Formation Committee of Northern Waters Presbytery is excited to offer the opportunity to travel to and from Rendez-vous 2017 as part of a pilgrimage experience. A pilgrimage is a physical and spiritual journey to a sacred or venerable place for the purpose of spiritual or personal growth and understanding. It is a quest that engages all of our senses and invites us into the Christian story through the people, places and events of history. It is not just a cognitive exercise. It reminds us that spirituality is not primarily a thing to be understood but rather something to be experienced. Pilgrimage is a time-honoured metaphor for our journey towards right relationship with ourselves, others and God. The search of the pilgrim is ultimately to know more of the self and more of God.

Pilgrimage is the practice of intentional travel with the hope of experiencing a blessing: an encounter with God, with one’s faith tradition or with those who have gone before us. Pilgrimage is a centuries-old Christian practice that invites its participants into transformation. Pilgrims discover first-hand what Sarah and Abraham and Hagar, Jacob, Moses and Miriam and so many others have learned: God can be discovered and trusted in the midst of wandering. Pilgrimages are embodied adventures deeply spiritual in nature and often result in significant transformation.

The format of each day will be structured around pilgrimage principles: the longing, the call, departure, the pilgrim's way, arrival and the reminder. Each day’s activities and all our encounters can lead us in searching for God and keeping company with God. We will develop a theme for the journey, develop a routine with practices, discover and learn, build community, take time to reflect and bring something home to remember and challenge us to keep growing. Our program will include an online blog, social media updates, journaling and oral and written reports.

Before we depart, we will spend time reflecting on our purpose, desires and quest. During the journey, we will reflect on both the trials and surprises we face and ponder their significance. Upon return, we will look back on the journey as a whole, from its initiation to its twists, turns and close and begin to put the pieces together, naming themes and honouring areas of transformation.

Our journey will include opportunities to discover the beauty and majesty of Canada, learn from fellow United Church congregations and its members about their witness and ministry, build relationships across the United Church, experience First Nations history, teachings and culture and think about our personal faith and witness.

Description of Leadership Roles

All the members of the Pilgrimage Leadership team will:

  • Provide a positive, safe, fun, friendly, calm and high quality presence and program for the participants
  • Participate in the entire program and support participants and fellow leaders
  • Encourage participation in the entire program
  • Spend time getting to know the participants (e.g. over meals)
  • Give leadership as outlined, based on your gifts and skills
  • Attend the preparation and training events
  • Follow the covenant/ holy manners created by the group
  • Help with extra duties, like preparing or setting up meals
  • Attend planning meetings, as possible, keeping up to date by e-mail
  • Represent the United Church responsibly
  • Promote the program and encourage participation
  • Need to complete an application form, provide references and Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check prior to program start.
  • Last but not least, journey via bus to Rendez-Vous other related tasks as determined by the Coordinators

Coordinator:

  • Support Planning and Leadership Team
  • Be main contact on promotion and administration
  • Work with the Northern Waters Faith Formation Team to review applications and assign places on the pilgrimage for leaders and participants
  • Ensure the schedule and logistics are as smooth as they can be
  • Design a program to reflect the Pilgrimage theme
  • Communicate information as necessary
  • Respond to questions
  • Be available in person or by phone 24 hours a day during the program, especially to respond to issues of conflict or health and safety
  • Build relationships with pilgrimage participants - check-in with them frequently to ensure well-being, inclusion and comfort in the program
  • Provide pastoral support as needed
  • Provide positive and safe atmosphere
  • Create an environment that includes space for quiet reflection, conversation and prayer
  • Purchase food and snacks and any program supplies (Conference Staff will ensure reimbursement)
  • Plan activities for Home Group times to get to know each other and debrief
  • Provide other leadership as needed (e.g. games, workshops, worships)

Home Group Leaders:

  • Get to know youth in home group, check-in with them frequently to ensure well-being, inclusion and comfort in the program
  • Provide other leadership as needed (e.g. games)
  • Problem-solve any conflicts or concerns in Home Group, informing Coordinators and/or Chaplains (depending on situation)
  • Provide pastoral support as needed to youth and leaders
  • Provide positive and safe atmosphere

What training and support will I receive if I agree to be a Pilgrimage Leader?

Leaders may expect to be trained, prepared and supported in the following ways:

  1. A description of leadership roles is provided
  2. Training in safe practices for youth programming will be provided
  3. Leaders will have an opportunity to meet one another, learn information about the program as well as provide planning, input and ideas;
  4. Pilgrimage program materials will be provided in advance where possible
  5. Pilgrimage leader retreat will be offered to allow you to meet other leaders, build relationships, share resources and ideas, and review duty of care

Safe community for everyone

All leaders need to complete the application and submit references and an up-to-date vulnerable sector police records check. (This information will be kept in confidence.)

The Faith Formation Committee of Northern Waters Presbytery will contact all those under consideration for leadership. In addition, all Leaders agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for Youth Events.

Thank you for considering this position. Please indicate your willingness to take on the role of Leader by completing the application below and returning it your presbytery contact before the deadline.

Pilgrimage to Rendez-vous 2017

Application forLeadership

All leaders need to complete this application form andsubmit two references. Leaders must be twenty-one years of age or older.

Potential leaders will be interviewed and must present an up-to-date police check at or before the interview.

Application Deadline: April 10, 2017

  • Home Group Leader Application
  • Chaplain Application

Name: ______Phone (day): (______)______

Address: ______Phone (home): (______)______

______e-mail: ______

Postal Code: ______Gender: ______

21 years of age or older? ⃝ Yes ⃝ No

Congregation: ______Presbytery: ______Conference: ______

Please tell us about yourself

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______

______

______

Please tell us about your previous leadership experience with youth and young adults. Include the context and age groups. (i.e. Church, camping, school, sports). Attach additional sheets, if necessary.

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______

______

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Special interests/skills/training that you bring (i.e. drama, crafts, music, sports, storytelling, knowledge of the church court, games, worship, cooking, education, First Aid etc.)

______

______

______

______

Why do you want to be in a leadership role? What are some of the ways you hope to grow through your leadership in this program? What are your hopes for the participants?

______

______

______

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Will you be accompanying youth from your ministry context? Yes _____ No _____

References:

Please provide us with the full contact information for two references. Please have your references fill out one of the reference forms provided on the Northern Waters website ( return it to the Northern Waters Presbytery Office by theapplication deadline. One reference should be someone you have worked with using your skills withyouth, and be able to comment on your expertise, reliability and sense of boundaries. For returning leaders, your references should be updated from any past applications.

1. Name: ______

Address: ______

(_____)______(_____)______

Home Phone Work Phone Email Address

2. Name: ______

Address:

______

(_____)______(_____)______

Home Phone Work Phone Email Address

Planning and Leadership Team Meetings

Leaders will have an opportunity to meet one another, learn information about the program as well as

provide planning input and ideas at planning meetings. There will be a compulsory retreat May 5/6 at Hockley Valley resort near Orangeville where we will learn about one another, develop pilgrimage resources, and receive training and support for our roles.

Home Group Leader Meetings

Home Group Leaders will have an opportunity to meet one another, learn information about the program as well as receive appropriate training. There will be a compulsory retreat May 5/6 at Hockley Valley resort near Orangeville where we will learn about one another, develop pilgrimage resources, and receive training and support for our roles.

Police Check

All members of the leadership will need to provide an up to date Police Record Check.

Registration

All leaders will need to fill out a registration form. Your registration fees for the pilgrimage portion will be waived. You will still need to pay the registration fee for the Rendez-Vous portion.

Signature and Declaration

  • I will provide the references required.
  • I will provide the Police Check required.
  • I have read the above information. I will attend meetings as required.
  • I am committed to being a leader on the Pilgrimage to Rendez-vous 2014. I agree to provide responsible and appropriate leadership and will work collegially and faithfully with the other leaders, Coordinators and participants.

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Applicant SignatureDate

Please submit this form by April 10, 2017 to the Northern Waters office:

Kerrie Perry

Program Minister for Community and Connection

C/O Northern Waters Presbytery

P.O. Box 10038

Alliston, ON L9R 0B7

Or email your application to Northern Waters Presbytery Administrative Assistant, Louise Hewson with “Pilgrimage Leadership Application” in the subject line.