Canada Youth got into full swing today despite a foreboding sky, as youth and leaders were broken into “sequoia” small groups. Members in each were drawn from across the country.
Under the guidance of an adult leader, the youth discussed the messages they heard at worship and engaged with biblical texts. They also participated in some interesting team activities. Today, they were tasked with creating a walking tree–like the Ents in the Lord of the Rigs trilogy–using large slabs of cardboard and assorted odds and ends. Former fridge boxes became trunks and branches, adorned with green streamers and construction paper leaves. Extra scraps were turned into matching headbands.
In the pouring rain, the Ents and their teams proceeded (with plenty of ducking under low doorways and compensating for reduced range of vision) to one of the university’s gyms for the March of the Ents. A series of challenges tested the creativity and skill of the various teams (and the durability of their Ents’ costumes), culminating in a reflection on what encourages good teamwork.
Unlike the jubilant welcome of yesterday’s worship, today’s service was darker. It began with a tearful psalm of lament, and went on to ask why bad things happen. Why are so many hurting in this world? When just yesterday those gathered said “it is good,” today they asked “why is there so much evil?”
But as songs unfolded and the message was presented, Rev. Sarah Travis had good news packaged in old words:
“There is nothing we can do that will make God love us more,” she said. “There’s nothing we can do to make God love us less. That’s really important and I need you to hear what I’m saying. God loves us today in the full capacity of his love. We do not have to prove ourselves.”
Following worship, youth headed to the theatre for a night of entertainment provided by juggler and comedian Bob Cates.
