About us
After the pandemic United Churches in the Lethbridge and surrounding areas noticed how youth were impacted by having to be online, missing out on the opportunity to connect in person with people their age. In response to this need, the churches worked together to hire a joint position, Youth Animator, to build a youth program. This position is a regional position, who works on the First Third Team for Chinook Winds Region, Pacific Mountain Region and partners with Northern Spirit Region.Â
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Baz (she/they) was hired in this position, and worked with the teens to create a youth group. The name "YOUnited Youth" was created by the first group of teens, with an emphasis on the word "YOU", so people hearing about us would know "you can be you with us".Â
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Most of the activities we do stem from ideas formed in the group, or inspired by conversations the group has. We take a casual approach to ministry, and let theological conversations come up naturally--which they often do. As our group developed, we realized we are the only faith-based youth group in the city who is Public Intentional and Explicit in our affirmation of 2SLGBT+ people. While this is not a central theme or topic in our group, it is a value we hold dearly and we have incorporated the universal pride flag into our group logo.Â
The leadership in the group
Baz
she/they
Youth animator
Baz is the "adult" working with the YOUnited Youth group!
She's a proud Indigenous, Master of Divinity student at
St. Andrew's College and Candidate for Ordained Ministry.
The title "Animator" is the fancy way of saying "youth minister". Her job is to animate programming and faith development for people aged 12-17 years old.Â
Before coming on board as an Animator, Baz worked for 16 years for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, followed by several years with Katimavik.
Baz is dedicated to journeying with young people on their spiritual pathways. She treats each teenager as a theologian in their own right and she practices P.I.E. theology, which is a Public, Intentional and Explicit affirmation of 2SLGBT+ people.
Dr. Pizza
First aid/volunteer
she/her
Loving named by our teens as "Dr. Pizza", Kathy is a retired Family Doctor who is a regular volunteer with YOUnited Youth, frequently traveling with us to various overnight events and is a longstanding volunteer and Camp Medic at Canyon Church Camp. Youth are in great hands with Dr. Pizza!
Coach Ted
he/him
Pickleball coach
Number 1 rule of Pickleball? "DON'T HIT TED!"
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Ted is our weekly Pickleball coach. No experience is necessary at drop in pickleball on Tuesdays, Ted will teach you everything you need to know! Whether you're an experienced player or a first time attendee-- you'll be laughing on the court in no-time.Â
"PEG" our logo
The puffin is a nod to the 100th anniversary of the United Church, the same year our group was fully formed.Â
We learned rudimentary puffin statues were placed on the coastlines of Atlantic Canada to bring puffins to the shores.
Noticing the statues were standing on a peg, puffins-very social birds, began standing on one foot in order to include them.
We connected with this imagery of this story and incorporated it as our logo.
The colours are a reflection of our dedication to 2SLGBT+ people.
Inspired by Blackfoot Elders who taught us the importance of being in community/circle with one another, our logo also includes the colours of the medicine wheel. Â