Young Anglicans from across the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario gathered at Jericho House in Port Colborne from August 27–30 for the 2026 Provincial Youth Gathering, Cultivating Good Soil.
Among them were young people with connections to the Diocese of Algoma, including Claire, from Algoma, and Miranda, a university student in the diocese.
Over four days, participants worshipped together, built new friendships and explored vocation, mentorship, youth leadership and the possibilities for a Provincial Youth Council.
Finding community
For Claire, one of the highlights was meeting other young people who shared her faith.
“One of the highlights of our week has been being surrounded by a lot of like-minded people, our own age.”
The conversations at Jericho House also gave Claire an opportunity to hear from people whose journeys of faith and vocation had taken many different paths.
“I learned, like, a lot of people get the call later in life, and that just because I’m not feeling overly pulled to anything now, it doesn’t mean that I never will be.”
She also reflected on what helps nurture her own faith.
“I learned how I can help water my faith…being in a community like this with a lot of people who think the same as me that are my own age. And I learned how powerful mentoring can be.”
A vocation lived out at Jericho House
Miranda, from the Diocese of Niagara and currently a university student in the Diocese of Algoma, came to the gathering having already spent time discerning her vocation.
“Something that I’ve come to learn and discern about myself is that my vocation is to care for God’s creation, specifically the animals in it.”
During some free time, that vocation unexpectedly came to life as Miranda walked through the Jericho House property with several other participants.
She began sharing what she knew about the lichen, trees, plants, animals and fungi around them. Soon, the others were pointing things out and asking questions.
“It was a wonderful moment for me in this time of talking about our vocations, and we’d also get to see mine happening as I get to share my love of God’s creation with other people and for them to get joy from it as well.”
Growing from here
The weekend also gave participants dedicated opportunities to envision what a Provincial Youth Council might become and to discuss youth voice and leadership in the Church.
Archbishop Anne Germond joined those conversations through a panel discussion and an “Ask Me Anything” session.
For Claire and Miranda, Cultivating Good Soil offered space to make connections, explore vocation and share the gifts they are already bringing to the life of the Church.
And as the gathering came to a close, those young voices—including voices from Algoma—were helping shape what might grow next.
Additional reading: Archbishop Anne’s event blog, Angels Among Us: A Final Reflection from the Provincial Youth Gathering.
