Networking with Young Leaders at Viva 2024
On the evening of November 22, 2024, our two staff members, Executive Director and Communications and Project Coordinator, had the privilege of attending Viva, an inspiring event organized by Mission Jeunesse Montréal (MJM). This gathering celebrated the invaluable contributions of young leaders and youth ministers within their faith communities and beyond!
The evening was rich with connection and reflection. Attendees shared a meal, exchanged stories, and celebrated the successes of various summer pastoral activities, all while looking forward to the Jubilee 2025. Remarkable young speakers shared heartfelt stories about their journeys of faith—how they discovered strength and clarity amidst life’s challenges and used their experiences to help others navigate the complexities of the modern world.
A standout aspect of the evening was the diversity represented, and the bilingualism celebrated. Many participants hailed from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, within and outside of Montreal, across the lifespan. The narratives shared and the unique ways songs were sung and danced to (more or less timidly!) beautifully reflected diversity and communion -a testament to the inclusivity of faith communities and a collective embrace of varied perspectives and traditions that we share and aim to model.
Our participation had a clear focus: we wanted to connect with passionate and visionary young and explore potential collaborations. We aim to work with leaders who by sharing their gifts of agency and individuality could help us better understand and address the unique challenges faced by youth in faith communities.
The evening was a resounding success, as we had the opportunity to network, share our mission, and introduce several attendees to our organization. Some expressed a keen interest in learning more about our work, and we were happy to direct them to our website and social media platforms for further engagement.
We look forward to continuing these meaningful conversations and building partnerships that empower youth to thrive within their faith communities. Stay tuned for more updates on our Youth Committee and pilot projects!