Interview with Simon Chambers

Chambers brings youth ministry experience to justgeneration.caSimon Chambers

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund recently appointed Simon Chambers as the justgeneration.ca facilitator. After a few days on the job in PWRDF’s national office, communications director Keith Knight asked him a few questions about the position.

Knight: What experience do you bring to your position at justgeneration.ca?

Chambers: I have worked for 12 years professionally in youth ministry in parishes, and for four of those years as diocesan youth ministry consultant in Toronto. I have been involved in creating programs for youth and youth leaders, recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers, designing and running youth events, summer camps, church school processes, confirmation preparation, worship services, and more.

In a volunteer capacity, I have worked with the church in parishes, at the Diocese of Toronto, the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, and the national church.

In my ministry, I focus on the need for all of us to live our faith in our lives. Christianity isn’t simply something that happens on Sunday morning, but should be integral to our whole selves. The baptismal covenant is a job description for us as Christians, and the call to be agents of justice and peace is strong in that covenant!

Knight: What special gifts do you bring to your position?

Chambers: The gifts that I bring to the position are a strong background in relational youth ministry, a passion for justice work in the church, and an ability to bring together strong teams of people to do work. I am willing and able to work with just about anybody, and I have a real appreciation for the depth of experience across the Anglican Church in Canada. I also come burdened with a bad sense of humor and fashion, but nobody is perfect!

Knight: What part of your new position most intrigues you?

Chambers: I am intrigued to learn more about all the fantastic programs that PWRDF is involved with. I have known about PWRDF for many years, but never knew exactly what the work was that was done with the partners. I am excited to be able to learn about this work and to share that with young people across the country.

Knight: How do you intend to connect with Anglican youth across Canada?

Chambers: Young people connect best through relationships, so it would be great to be able to go out and meet them all. Realistically, I won’t be able to do that, but the Youth Council has representatives from across the country who are able to be at events, and I will also be at various gatherings of youth and youth leaders. The justgeneration.ca website is a great tool that is available to connect with young Anglicans, and it shares a strong relationship with the Generation website. Justgeneration.ca also has a Facebook group in which I participate. We are linked through diocesan youth ministry sites, and will continue to expand our reach through the web. Resources are also available like Off the Grid for youth to run in their parishes and dioceses, and more resources will be produced as we move forward. Some exciting plans are already under way for the 50th anniversary celebrations!

Knight: What do you see as your major role at justgeneration.ca?

Chambers: I am a facilitator at justgeneration.ca. My job is to make things easier. I will help to realize the goals, vision, and mission statement of PWRDF with a particular focus on building awareness of peace and justice issues and the work if PWRDF with young Anglicans between 16 and 30, and then to help them to move from awareness to action. This work will happen by working with the Youth Council, building links with young people and their leaders across the country, developing resources, and communicating through the website and other media.

Knight: Describe justgeneration in just one word or phrase.

Chambers: Justgeneration is an exciting, Spirit-filled, powerful, and vibrant ministry of the Anglican Church of Canada.