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The annual Say Yes to Kids! campaign by the Anglican Foundation of Canada helps parishes grow their children and youth ministries. This cycle, two local parishes have benefited from the campaign: St. John the Divine in Squamish, and Church of the Epiphany in Surrey. Here's what representatives of those parishes have to say about the support they're receiving from the campaign. 

From Rev. Cameron Gutjhar at St. John the Divine:

St. John the Divine in Squamish has participated in the Anglican Foundation’s Say Yes to Kids Campaign for four years. Four years ago, St. John’s was a small, older congregation with a desire to connect with and care for children and families in Squamish.

We began with prayer and naming this as a parish goal. With the help of a memorial gift, we updated our nursery space and began to offer “Tot Time” – a free weekly drop-in play group for pre-school aged children with their caregivers.

Our first Say Yes to Kids campaign helped to resource this small, new ministry in a supportive but empowering way.

As Tot Time took off and began to grow, we assessed the needs of the community, discerned and began to offer “Family Feasts” – a monthly faith-based gathering for families around a meal. The Anglican Foundation, through Say Yes to Kids, helped us to resource and build capacity for this new program.

Last year, with the help of a diocesan grant, we hired a children, youth and family ministry worker who has supported the creation of a monthly youth group, further supported and resourced by Say Yes to Kids.
This year, Say Yes to Kids will, we pray, help us to continue to grow St. John’s youth ministry by helping us to further engage Middle and Highschoolers in their faith and the Church through more regular meetings, as well as supporting them to attend wider church gatherings, like the DYM.

Four years on, St. John’s is not as small or old as it used to be, but more importantly, the congregation is empowered and engaged in children, youth and family ministry in a variety of ways, thanks in large part to the support of the Anglican Foundation (and others).

Thanks be to God!

From Kristine Barker, Team Leader at Church of the Epiphany

For several years now, Epiphany has been participating in the Say Yes to Kids! campaign continually increasing our fundraising target and always surpassing it. This most recent campaign was no different.

The money raised goes to supporting our Sunday School programming and monthly Youth Group facilitated by our Child and Youth Worker along with dedicated members of the congregation. A couple years ago, we established a weekly, curriculum (RCL) based Sunday program for kids aged 3-12 meeting in our Hall as an integral part of Sunday morning liturgy. We also established a monthly youth event in March 2023 for teens that has faith-based opportunities together with social events.

As our church has grown, we have sustained our efforts to provide programs, activities, and education. With the support of the congregation, we have increased the youth events and continue to offer Sunday Children’s classes weekly.

The Church of the Epiphany has become a safe and familiar space for our newcomer youth. We offer consistency, a sense of belonging, and a place to build community. With the ongoing support of the whole congregation, we continue to support young people in their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.