Spiritual Conversations: Pastoral Ministry with Children, Youth and Families
A Continuing Education Certificate Course through the Vancouver School of Theology
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Vancouver School of Theology and First Third Ministries Partnership
with Rev. Mary Nichol and Cathy Cryder
with Rev. Mary Nichol and Cathy Cryder
Code: PT131C
In ministry with children, youth, and their family we create space for spiritual conversations. Families seek support from ministers and congregational leaders on how to talk about God, death, and other existential questions such as, “Who am I?” and “What am I meant to be doing in my life?” with the children and youth in their lives.
This short course is intended to deepen our understanding of the importance of listening to children and youth. We will discuss ways to support families in their conversations regarding death, life and meaning. We will explore power, posture, and intention in supporting young people in their spiritual journey.
This course will examine ways to partner with families and caregivers to support them in their spiritual nurture of their children.
Course Details
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Jan 13-15, 2022
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Code: PT131C
About Rev. Mary Nichol and Cathy Cryder
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Rev. Mary Nichol (she/her/hers) lives and works on the ancestral and unceded land of the Semiahmoo, sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and Kwantlen people. She has worked with children, youth, and families for 15 years in The United Church of Canada: congregational ministry, presbytery, summer camps, and the region. Mary is equipped with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from SFU, Certificate in Educational and Liturgical Ministry from the Centre of Christian Studies and a Master of Arts in Public, and Pastoral Leadership from Vancouver School of Theology. She was ordained in The United Church of Canada in 2016.
Mary began work for the region in 2017 with a focus on education for children and family ministry and now serves Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regional Councils as Regional Minister for First Third Ministry. She focuses on equipping and imagining with leaders in their ministry with those in the first third of life. Mary also focuses on strengthening collegial connections, faith formation and leadership training with our regional camping ministry. She is passionate about equipping leaders with the skills and knowledge to lead with authenticity and passion. Mary is committed to supporting sacred and brave space for people of all ages to ask questions, wonder, and deepen in their faith. Mary loves to cook and shares her successes (and failures) with her household of five. She is enjoying gardening veggies and flowers, playing board games, and spending time with family and friends. One of her favourite ways to relax is to curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and read a mystery book. |
Cathy (she/her/hers) lives in Vancouver, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She has worked with children, youth and families for over 35 years within the United Church of Canada; various alternate school programs; through summer camps; and with the North Island Crisis and Counselling Centre. This experience – combined with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and a small business management certificate – have equipped her well to take on the role of Executive Director of Camp Spirit.
Cathy is passionate about our church’s call to meet people in their places of deepest need and believes that Camp Spirit is a faithful and innovative response to that call. She has been involved with Camp Spirit since its inception in 2011 – in fact she acted as site coordinator at the very first week of Camp Spirit in the summer of 2012. Cathy is mother to three adult children. She loves to get to the beach as much as possible with her dog. Cathy enjoys taking time to be creative and appreciates the process of creating much more than the result. She loves to get outdoors; swim in the ocean; camp on the West Coast of Vancouver Island; walk with friends; and play cards and board games with her family. |
