Sorrento Centre's Investment in Youth Ministry and Christian Community

One of the greatest ministries and resources of the Anglican Church of Canada in BC is the Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre on Shuswap lake. This past long weekend, in cooperation with the BC and Yukon Anglican Youth Movement, they hosted the annual Young Sojourners Weekend. Sorrento Centre has a history of investing in youth ministry in a variety of ways. They offer a summer leadership programme for teenagers called LEAP, employ a significant number of young summer staff and open up the Centre for youth events such as this past weekend's gathering.

Over a hundred young people and youth leaders from across BC and Alberta gathered at Sorrento Centre for a weekend of work, worship and spiritual reflection. The cost of the weekend is covered by donations which removes many of the financial barriers to participation. In exchange, participants spend part of the weekend on work projects around the Centre. I had the opportunity to help on the Sorrento Farm - located just down the road from the Centre - where we planted and tended to many of the crops grown on the farm. The Farm provides food for low-income families and seniors in the area as well as for the Centre itself. Other groups painted, did repairs, and helped improve the accessibility of a trail for strollers and wheelchairs.

This relationship of participants supporting Sorrento Centre through their work is one of the ways that Sorrento has become more than a location that hosts programmes and events - it has become a Christian community. In addition to the work projects done at Young Sojourners, the Centre also has Associates' Weeks in the Spring and Fall when those who have made a donation of at least $20 to become associates are invited for a week of work, guest speakers and fellowship at Sorrento. For more information on how to become an Associate, see the Sorrento Centre website. This past Associates' Week featured John Bell - who as many of you know is one of my personal Church heros and favourite people.

The weekend also featured guest presenters Myron and Jodi Penner from the Diocese of Edmonton with whom the youth explored the theme of Finding God. Myron gave several talks over the course of the weekend and Jodi offered her musical leadership and compositions as a part of worship. In addition, the weekend's worship included a Saturday evening Healing service and Sunday morning Eucharist in Sorrento's outdoor chapel.

This weekend is one of three such events organized in part by BCYAYM. Their next event will be their centennial celebration in Abbotsford over Thanksgiving weekend. This event will celebrate 100 years of continuous Anglican regional youth ministry in BC - from AYPA (Anglican Young People's Association) to AYM (Anglican Youth Movement) to BCYAYM. Alumni from these associations are invited to attend the Gala dinner that will be a part of the weekend.