'Youths keep the church alive'

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A new Christian youth group here is "learning to build the church and find their place in the community," says Lucienne Meek.

The Native Pastoral Centre administrator explains the centre formed the youth group in November hoping to attract a younger generation that can "keep the church alive."

The group currently has about a dozen members and although the numbers aren't high, Meek says the group didn't want to start growing in numbers until they felt they were ready.

"It's almost like trying to build a big family that can grow together and trust each other," says group leader Janice Williams, explaining the youth group plans to add new members at a slow pace. By not hurrying the building process, she adds they want to keep the family atmosphere intact. "We eventually want to see a fair sized group."

Williams points out that the church is having problems attracting youths because "I really feel that young people nowadays don't feel like they're part of it." To remedy this feeling of non-involvement and get more participation she says they'll be asking their young membership for input into the group. "We want to make it exciting for them . . ."

The group meets on Wednesday evenings at the Native Pastoral Centre (located at 10829 ? 105 Ave.). Each meeting begins with an opening prayer and introductions. "Everyone is encouraged to open up and talk with other members," says Williams. The group sometimes watch Christian video movies and also participate in physical activities such as roller skating.

The group took responsibility for a youth Christmas mass that was "really successful" and plans are already being made for the next mass in March. Meek says the young people "selected all of the music and readers for the first mass."

There is no charge to join the group. They welcome interested youths to contact them for more information at 424-1431.