I am spending the day at a Clergy and Lay Peoples’ Day in Cobble Hill with Michael Harvey, who founded “Back to Church Sunday” in England and now presents the practice all over the world.

Our day began with an opening Eucharist. Jim Holland was the celebrant and gave the homily.

Opening Eucharist Homily

The Rev. Jim Holland chaplain Shawnigan Lake School

What does it mean to present spirituality from a variety of cultural backgrounds who have no spiritual background?

Three things I have learned that cause young people to light up:

1. Give young people something to do. They feel respected and cared for by being invited to be involved.

They respond better when I ask them what they think, rather than telling them what I think.

2. Tell them a story. Stories help young people to re-engage. They will consider any idea if it is wrapped up in a story.

3. Young people yearn most for authenticity from adults. They despise hypocrisy and they see it everywhere. No pretension, self-righteousness, or what we think we should be saying.

Hafiz – “What we speak becomes the house we live in.”

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