Blogs Posts from the Anglican Communion Youth Network

#RenewCreation is launched as part of ACYN's Creation Care campaign

6 June 2023

The Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) announces the launch of #RenewCreation as part of its Creation Care Advocacy campaign. The youth network is dedicating the period June 5th to November 26th, 2023, to advance, promote and encourage its membership to actively participate in the protection and preservation of the environment to make the world a better place for present and future generations. 

The ACYN strongly believes that it is our duty as Christians to protect and preserve the gift of creation bestowed on us by our loving creator. 

The advocacy campaign which is named #RenewCreation is launched June 5, 2023, to coincide with the World Environment Day celebration under the theme, #BeatPlasticPollution. Here is a link to the launch event #RenewCreation will build up to and focus activities around the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Environment, on October 4, 2023, and continue until the Feast of Christ the King at the end of November. 

The objectives of #RenewCreation are:

  1. Modeling behaviors in daily life to reduce carbon footprint.
  2. Promote initiatives to instill the ideas of Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle in the minds of children and youth throughout the Anglican Communion.
  3. Promote the Communion Forest Initiative for tree growing.
  4. Conduct community clean-up initiatives
  5. Illustrating the importance of nature by showing the aesthetics and ecological diversity of various regions, whilst expressing the reason why such is necessary.
  6. Highlighting churches and youth groups across the Anglican Communion who are involved in Creation Care activities with special focus on those tackling plastic pollution. 

Activities will be organized around the 4 R’s message.

  • Reduce - use only the amount that is necessary. Emphasis on reducing the utilization of Plastic Waste
  • Reuse - eliminate single use product containers. Emphasis on the use of reusable containers wherever possible. 
  • Repurpose - give items a second life by using them again wherever possible, for a safe alternative purpose. Emphasis on reusing plastic waste where it is safe and appropriate.
  • Recycle - give items a second life by sorting them for recycling wherever possible.  Emphasis on plastic waste. 

All ACYN members throughout the communion are encouraged to promote their activities in support of #RenewCreation by publishing videos and photographs of their actions using the hashtag #RenewCreation. These will be reshared by the ACYN official social media channels. 

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment. 

About the ACYN

The Anglican Communion Youth Network is a gathering platform for young people and youth workers in the Anglican Communion. It connects, equips, motivates, promotes, and encourages youth movements and structures at all levels in the Anglican Communion, as they fulfill their respective mandates. 

The ACYN operates under the guidelines for approved networks of the Anglican Communion. It gathers, supports, and promotes the ministries of young people and youth workers in the Anglican Communion.


The Anglican Communion Youth Network Elects New Global Co-Conveners

31 May 2023

The Global Council of the Anglican Youth Network has on 13th May 2023 elected new Global Co-Conveners. They are Mr. Reginald Pepsival Robertson from Ghana and Miss Paula Mello Alves from Brazil.

The two immediately take over from Mr. Clifton Dillon Nedd from Grenada and Revd. Fungai Catherine Ngangira from Zimbabwe who have serves as joint leaders of the worldwide network of Anglican Young people and Youth Workers since 2016. 

Rev. Fungai Cathrine Ngangira,from Zimbabwe, Outgoing Co-Convener

Rev. Fungai Cathrine Ngangira was born and raised in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe before moving to the UK, over five years ago where she trained for ministry and was ordained priest in July 2021. 

Rev. Cathrine previously serves as an administrator for the Anglican University project in Harare Diocese, Zimbabwe. She was a youth delegate and representative for the Peace and Justice Network at the sixteenth and seventeenth meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council in Zambia 2016 and Hong Kong 2019.  Rev. Cathrine was also a member of the Lambeth Conference 2022 Design Group. 

Cathrine holds a BA in Theology, Mission and Ministry from Cranmer Hall, Durham University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Logistics from Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe. She is serving her curacy in the parish of Holy Cross Bearsted in the Diocese of Canterbury. 

Mr. Clifton Nedd, JP, AKC from Grenada, Outgoing Co-Convener

We recognise the indelible contribution of Mr. Clifton D. Nedd as he concludes his term as Co-Convener of the Anglican Communion Youth Network. Clifton came to the network at the critical point when the network w  as being restructured and restarted. He brought a tremendous experience in youth development, leadership formation, and institutional governance to help reposition the network as an advocate for and model of good youth development practice in the communion. 

Clifton has served as the Anglican Consultative Council’s Lay Member of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. He is a cradle Anglican from Grenada in the southern Caribbean who has served his local parish, diocese and province in various roles including youth director, vestry/church council member, synod delegate, and strategic planning consultant.  

Clifton has also served his country and region in areas related to youth development and monitoring and evaluation. He was as a member and later a training facilitator for Grenada’s National Youth Parliament; and when the country of Grenada was devastated by a massive hurricane, he served on the National Advisory Council for Reconstruction and Development. Clifton has provided consultancy services to several governments and international development agencies including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 

Clifton has achieved academic success in areas including Management, Social Sciences, and Education. In additon to other qualifications, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree in Religion in Contemporary Society.

Clifton is the Caribbean Regional Facilitator for the Anglican Alliance, a Justice of the Peace in Grenada, and an Associate of King’s College London.

Clifton will continue to give support to the network in a new staff role as the Governance and Administrative Officer. 

New Co-Conveners, Mr. Reginald Pepsival Robertson and Miss Paula Mello Alves

The Global Council is made up of elected Co-Chairs and Secretaries of the ACYN Regions, Marks of Mission committees, administrative committees, the Youth Members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and the ACC standing committee youth member.     

Reginald Pepsival Robertson from Ghana

Reginald Pepsival Robertson is an energetic young individual who is affable, resolute, and serviceable. A devoted Anglican who is loyal, committed and communicates well. Having respect for the views of others coupled with his strong interpersonal relations and helping others bring out their best potential are a few of the qualities he wields. 

He is currently the International Relations Officer and a Broadcast Journalist at ADOATV (A television network for the Anglican Diocese of Accra)

He is a member of the Anglican Young People's Association in Ghana and has served the Anglican Communion Youth Network as Co-Chair for the Communications and Logistics Committee as well as a member of the Global Council. His vision to see a united youth for the AFRICA 1 Region of the ACYN got him to be elected as the Regional Co-Chair in March 2023.

Reginald's passion and contribution towards youth work and development has also won the admiration of Global Council members to elect him as Co-Convener for the Anglican Communion Youth Network to serve a three (3) year tenure. 

Miss Paula de Mello Alves from Brazil

Paula de Mello Alves is Brazilian, lives in the south of the country, in the city of Porto Alegre. She has a Law degree, is a lawyer, and is currently studying the last year of Theology.

In 2022 Paula began her preparation process seeking for the ordained ministry in the Southern Diocese of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil. As part of the process, she serves as an intern at Paróquia da Ascensão in her hometown.

Since 2014 she has been working with youth as part of the coordination group in her diocese, and for the last 4 years she was part of the group responsible for working with youth in her province.

Paula began to participate in the earliest virtual meetings of the Anglican Communion Youth Network, Region of the Americas, continued as part of the small regional leadership group, and represented the Americas region on the ACYN Steering Group which later became the ACYN Global Council.

Paula currently leads the ACYN Americas regional translators’ group which collaborates to organize interpreters for meetings of groups of people who speak the different languages in the Americas region. In March 2023, Paula was elected as Regional Co-Chair for the Americas and represents that region on the Global Council of the Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN).

Paula has won the admiration of Global Council members who have elected her as Co-Convener of the Network to serve a three-year (3) tenure.


Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) is a growing platform which works to promote and support the ministry of young people and youth workers within the Anglican Communion. 
Member Churches of the Anglican Communion are grouped into seven regions: Africa, Americas, East Asia, Europe, Middle East & South Asia, and the Pacific.

Contact the ACYN: [email protected]

acyn.anglicancommunion.org

 

The writer is a Journalist with ADOA TV and a member Accra Diocesan Council of the Anglican Young People Association (AYPA) Ghana. Georgina Shantel Naa Anyema Collison [email protected]


31 January 2023

The Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) announces elections to its Global Council and invites nominations for representatives for the Region.

What is the ACYN Global Council

The global council is the highest decision-making body of the ACYN. It is made up of elected regional members, representatives from committees and projects, and the youth ACC members.

Number of Seats allotted

There are 3 seats available for this region for two youth members (1 male, 1 female) and 1 Associate (youth worker).

What are the duties and tenue of global council members

Global Council members serve for 3 years. They regularly attend Global Council meeting, participate in group chat, and contribute to the leadership and decision making within the ACYN.

The global council members also lead and mobilize their respective regions by promoting the ACYN and coordinating the implementation of ACYN activities in their region.

Who can be nominated

Persons nominated to serve on the ACYN Global Council must be

  • An active member of the ACYN region for which they are nominated
  • An active Anglican in their local parish or diocese
  • For youth male and female nominees only: born on or after 27th November 1990 • For associate nominees (youth workers) there is no prescribed age What is the nomination process
  • Nominations are now open and will close on 8 February 2023
  • All persons seeking to nominate someone must first obtain the permission of the person whom they seek to nominate.
  • The person making the nomination must complete this nomination form https://forms.office.com/e/tHH2Feyjdk .
    • Upon receipt of the nomination form, the ACYN validate the nomination by
    • contacting the nominee to obtain proof of age
    • contacting the named reference to obtain a recommendation from their local church
    • reviewing ACYN attendance registers and group chats to confirm the nominees’ active participation
  • Validated nominees will become candidates
  • The names, photo, biography, and platform messages of the candidates will then be published at the end of the nomination period.

When is the election

The election will be held on February 21st through online voting. Each province has 10 votes. Links will be shared via email and in the regional WhatsApp chat.

Who can vote in the election

  • Young people from any part of the region can vote in the election.
  • The young people from each province will be placed in a breakout room where they will individually vote for their preferred candidate
    • These votes will count proportionately towards allocating the province’s block of 10 votes

One seat per region is being filled at this election and the candidate garnering the most provincial votes (whether youth male, youth female, or youth worker) will be elected.

Click to download in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese


Anglican Communion Youth Network Logo Competition

1 June 2022

Ahead of its launch on Sunday 14th August 2022, the ACYN seeks a new logo to help brand the new network. 

We welcome young people (aged 18-35) and youth workers of any age in the Anglican Communion to submit a logo design. 

Specifications

The logo design: 

  • Should include some elements of the Anglican Communion’s Compass Rose to signal the ACYN’s link with the Anglican Communion.
  • Should NOT include the words “Anglican Communion Youth Network” within the main image of the logo. These words may be included as subtext.
  • Should reflect the diversity of the Anglican Communion
  • May include any colours, or no colour.
  • Should be clean: all elements must be discernible when reproduced in smaller sizes, when reproduced in monochrome, and when physically produced in different materials.
  • May be created with pens, pencils, crayons, markers, paint, or may be created with a computer drawing program.
  • Must be the original work of the person submitting.

The person submitting the logo must confirm that:

  1. The logo is their original work
  2. They have all the rights to the image
  3. Should the ACYN select their logo, they will transfer all rights to the image to the ACYN.

Submission instructions

  • All submissions must be received by 30th June 2022.
  • Persons who wish to make a submission should first send an email to the ACYN indicating that they wish to take part in the competition. A link will be provided so the entrant can upload their design.
  • Please do not sent any submissions via email. 

Judging and prize

  • All submissions will be acknowledged and included in a photo collage during the ACYN launch event
  • The ACYN steering group will select the logo it feels most closely reflects the ACYN’s ideals
  • The winning submission will receive a prize of USD $250.00

 


27 May 2022

The newly launched Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) is a growing platform which works to promote and support the ministry of young people and youth workers within the Anglican Communion.

To facilitate the work of the network, we are establishing two core committee groups, respectively focusing on administration and mission.

These committees will be responsible for promoting best practices and organising educational opportunities and capacity building activities.

If you, or someone you know, wants to help drive forward our work and empower young people from across the Communion, now is a golden opportunity to get involved and serve on the following committees:

Mission Committees

First Mark of Mission

The Evangelism mission committee is dedicated to proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. 

Second Mark of Mission

The Faith and Leadership Formation committee works to teach, baptise and disciple new believers. 

Third Mark of Mission

The Humanitarian Service committee responds to human need through loving service. 

Fourth Mark of Mission

The Advocacy committee exists to transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence of every kind, and encourage peace and reconciliation.

Fifth Mark of Mission

The Creation Care committee strives to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

Administration Committees

Communications and Logistics Committee

This committee is responsible for managing all public relations and communications activities of the network, including the social media pages. It also organises the logistics for events held by other committees. 

Finance Committee

The finance committee manages all matters related to the finances of the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can I nominate from my church? 

Unless no limitation is specified, you can nominate as many people as you like. Nonetheless, since these are global committees, we must ensure people from other regions are well represented. As such, if we feel that we have received an overwhelmingly large number of nominees from any particular region we may establish a regional subgroup for that specific area.

Who is an authorised person for nomination purposes?

Each member church or province of the Anglican Communion tends to function differently. In some churches it is appropriate for a youth leader, youth chaplain or parish priest to nominate someone to serve. In other places the preference is that the nominations are made by the diocesan office or bishop. In some provinces, it is preferred that the provincial or national office or archbishop make the nomination.

Our request is that whoever is nominated should be supported by the leadership of their church. When you make a nomination, consider who else needs to agree if this person is to be properly supported in the role for which you nominate them.

Will there be global or regional committees?

The committees will initially be global and as the numbers increase in each region, we will create regional subgroups. However, the global groups will expect their members to engage in actions in their local contexts. This is why it is important to firstly, nominate people whose nomination would be supported by the local church and secondly, nominate people who genuinely have an interest in the area of work.

Can I nominate the same person for different committees?

Yes. We will accept all nominations that meet the criteria set out in the invitation. Nonetheless, we encourage churches, as far as it is possible, to nominate different people for each committee position. This will ensure that no area of work suffers because the persons involved feel overburdened by serving on multiple committees.

What is the deadline for submissions?

There is no specific deadline. We encourage churches to submit their nominations as soon as they can but only after ensuring they have chosen the right nominee(s) who will be effective in their role.

Should I only nominate persons who speak English?

No. The committees will function in a manner that is language inclusive and arrangements can be made for translations.


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