September 1, 2026

Young Anglicans from across the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario gathered at Jericho House in Port Colborne from August 27–30 for a weekend of worship, fellowship, conversation and discernment centred on the theme “Cultivating Good Soil.”

The Provincial Youth Gathering brought young people together to build relationships across diocesan boundaries, explore questions of faith and vocation, and begin imagining what a Provincial Youth Council could look like.

For Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, the gathering offered a powerful glimpse of the leadership and faith already present among the Church’s young people. “One thing that stays with me is the depth and maturity of the faith I have encountered here—and the desire of the young people in our Church to participate fully in the wider councils of the Church and to lead in meaningful ways,” Archbishop Anne said. “I believe the Church is ready to receive the gifts our young people are offering us so generously and willingly.”

Over four days, participants shared in worship, heard from guest speakers, explored vocation and ministry, and considered youth voice and leadership in the Church. A major focus was the possibility of creating a Provincial Youth Council. For many, simply being together with other young Anglicans was one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend. “One of the highlights of our week has been being surrounded by a lot of like-minded people, our own age,” said Claire, a participant from the Diocese of Algoma.

The gathering also encouraged youth to think broadly about vocation and the many ways Christians are called to serve. Pip, who travelled from the Diocese of Portsmouth in the Church of England, noted that vocation is not limited to ordained ministry. “It doesn't have to be ordained ministry,” Pip said. “It can be helping through your church as a lay young person.”

By Saturday, the focus turned increasingly toward the future. Participants discussed what a Provincial Youth Council might do, who should be represented and how it could provide meaningful opportunities for young people to exercise leadership. Archbishop Anne said youth emphasized the importance of ensuring that a future council reflects the diversity of young Anglicans across the Province. “They spoke about the need for more Indigenous voices and Indigenous representation. They want representation from every diocese in our Province. And they spoke about the importance of hearing from young people who may sometimes feel they are on the outskirts of the Church,” she said.

The work will continue following the gathering. Archbishop Anne has asked youth representatives, along with Sue McLeod, to bring the weekend’s conversations together into a plan for consideration by Provincial Council in October.

The weekend concluded Sunday with worship, commissioning, final reflections and goodbyes. Archbishop Anne left Jericho House encouraged by what she had seen and heard. “It has been a wonderful gathering at Jericho House, and I leave with tremendous hope,” she said. “Our Church is in very good hands.”

The gathering’s final message was one of both encouragement and challenge: young people are not simply the future of the Church, but an essential part of its life and leadership today.

“God’s Holy Spirit has been with us throughout this gathering," says Archbishop Anne, "calling, encouraging, challenging, and reminding us again that the young people of our Church are not simply its future. They are an essential part of the Body of Christ today.”