Renewal, learning and connection were key themes at The Abbey – National Youth Leader Conference over the weekend.  

Wellington AYM youth worker Brenna Wood says it was a wonderful time for youth workers to be refreshed and gain fresh ideas to take back into the spaces they are leading. 

"It was so good to catch up with friends, meet new people and to network. 

“The workshops were so on-point and stimulated great conversation among us 

“We are excited to take back what we have learnt into our parishes and are looking forward to The Abbey 2024,” says Brenna. 

The Abbey is the annual national Anglican conference for youth leaders and young adults from across the motu. 

These leaders gather to pray, worship, learn and reimagine together. This year, it drew 220 people to the El Rancho campsite in Waikanae north of Wellington. 

The main sessions were centered around the theme “Fill Your Cup”, looking at how God fills us in a variety of ways – through remembering our past and our identity, through rest, through the Holy Spirit making up for our weakness. These sessions were a chance to focus on God’s word and worship together, to be challenged and inspired. 

There was also a focus on looking at what it means to be a young person of faith in this whenua. Sessions included discussion on what making a bi-cultural journey looks like, learning the back story to the Lord’s Prayer in Te Reo, exploring Tikanga Māori including how and when to karakia in Māori and a contribution from Ngatiawa River Monastery on their own journey in Te Ao Māori.  

All the sessions were wrapped with powerful worship, prayer and having the opportunity to be prayed for by others. 

Brenna says other workshop topics included rest and sabbath, the power of confession and forgiveness, knowing how and when to do evangelism, mission with NZCMS, reading the bible and social media.  

There were several connection conversations based on your area of interest such as paid youth leaders, women in leadership, pioneering new programmes and social justice.  

Other highlights from the weekend were the quiz, the Common Good coffee and the North vs South football match.