Over 800 youth from across Canada will converge at TCU Place in Saskatoon, Sask. from August 16-19 to take part in the 2012 Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering. Youth from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) will come together to participate in a variety of events, worship, and prayer.
The theme for this year’s gathering, “Hyperlink,” explores the various connections youth have in their lives—with God, their neighbours and all of creation. CLAY not only brings people and youth together for personal development but also encourages them to experience and learn about the local community, including its history, current issues and culture.
The gathering features six keynote speakers who will address and explore the theme of CLAY during “large group gathering” sessions. Speakers include: four gifted and creative leaders with expertise in the area of youth ministry (Rev. Tim Wray, pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Millet, Alta.; Rev. Anne Anderson, pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Hamburg, Ont.; Jenny Salisbury, assistant program director of Ask & Imagine; and Rev. Dennis Hendricksen, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Regina, Sask.), Canada’s first National Indigenous Bishop (The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Anglican Church of Canada), and an ecumenical partner with expertise in inter-cultural ministry (Adele Halliday, team leader for Transformational Ministries at the United Church of Canada).
Organized by the ELCIC and ACC, this national gathering takes place every two years and is aimed at youth ages 14-19.
In between gatherings, youth work together on a two-year National Youth Project (NYP). The 2010-12 NYP, “12 For 12: Developing Full Communities,” called on youth to support the development work of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF).
Highlights from the gathering will be available online at www.clay2012.ca, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.