Alberta
and Northwest Conference
Youth
and Young Adult Ministry
Training
Diploma Program
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Training Diploma Program (Y2MT) is a
two-year, part-time training program to train people for specialized ministry
with youth and young adults. Academic courses are offered by St. Stephen’s
college and the Steering Committee of Y2MT, with field placement and practical
experience arranged among the student, the coordinator, and the partner
congregation. Diplomas are granted through St. Stephen’s College. Applications
for the diploma program are available from Shauna Gibbons 780-435-3995 ext.
221. The next deadline for applications is May 30, 2008.
All Y2MT workshops are open to anyone of any age. Four workshops rotate
on a two-year cycle. Those workshops are “Pastoral Care with Youth and Young
Adults”, “Ethics in Youth and Young Adult Ministry”, “Music and Worship with
Youth and Young Adults”, and “Spiritual Practices with Youth and Young Adults”.
Every August, the Steering Committee offers an in-depth introductory workshop
called “Principles in Youth and Young Adult Ministry”. In addition, the
Steering Committee hosts a spring workshop aimed at meeting needs named by
leaders, youth, young adults, and concerned church folk. For detailed
information about these workshops, or to make a workshop request, please click
on a specific workshop, or contact the program coordinator, Shauna Gibbons
780-435-3995 ext. 221.
About the Steering Committee: The intake of new students, creation of
new programs, and oversight of the Y2MT program is maintained by a group of
volunteers known as the Steering Committee. These dedicated individuals meet
approximately 5 times a year to ensure the growing strength of training offered
by Alberta and Northwest Conference in the area of youth and young adult
ministry. Currently serving with the Steering Committee are Andrew Weiss
(Chairperson), Rev. Hugh MacGregor, Rev. Erin Klassen, Beth Maitland, and
Priscilla Haskin.
About the Coordinator: Shauna Gibbons coordinates Y2MT. Working out of
the Alberta and Northwest Conference Office, her role is to facilitate the work
of the Steering Committee by providing professional guidance & suggestions,
administering the program, strengthening relationships with partners, promoting
the program throughout the United Church of Canada, and most importantly,
offering support and accountability to the students through regular check-ins
and collegiums. Her background is in congregational youth and young adult
ministry, where she has served the church professionally for over 13 years.
Other related work Shauna has completed includes campus ministry peer
leadership, international representative on 3 different young adult exposure
tours, Design Team for Youth Forum at General Council 2003, as well as
co-facilitating a mission trip to Cuba. In her words, “I am deeply blessed to
be sharing in this ministry. I am passionate about a church that ensures
appropriate and effective training for our youth and young adults. Without
skilled leadership, youth ministry crumbles. Without effective support, young
adult ministry disintegrates. I am excited to support this invaluable work and
endeavor to better the Y2MT program with each day I work!” In addition to her
passion for leadership development for youth and young adult ministry, Shauna
is eager to create innovative worship experiences through music, drama, dance,
and multi-media technology. Perhaps her greatest passion is her family, and the
ability that this job provides for her to be at home with her son for most of
the week!
About our Partners: Alberta and Northwest Conference is partnered with
St. Stephen’s College and Naramata Centre to provide the best possible training
for our students. To access course listing with either partner, or to find out
more about their ministry in the United Church of Canada, please click on their
links.
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