Yarra Yarra Youth Council 2026

Overview

The Yarra Yarra Youth Council will bring together 15-25 year olds from Uniting Churches across the Yarra Yarra Presbytery in 2026. Meeting every two months and hosted by rotating congregations, the Youth Council is a group that aims to:

• Amplify youth voices in church life
• Build connections between young people and governance
• Foster inclusive conversations
• Support youth-led exploration of faith and service

Objectives

• Create a structured platform for youth and young adult voices to be heard
• Identify and address barriers to youth engagement
• Encourage leadership and diversity
• Build belonging and respect across communities

Discussion Ideas (to be adapted by youth council)

• Discipleship/mentoring/pathways to ministry
• Yarra Yarra mission and outreach
• Yarra Yarra youth and young adult retreats and events
• Barriers to church inclusion (intercultural, intergenerational, LGBTQIA+, tech)
• Contemporary worship practices
• Safe spaces for marginalised voices
• Young voices in church governance (e.g., Synod, councils and selection committees)
• Policy and practice review: Youth perspectives on church policies, especially those impacting young people
• Vision setting

Support Framework

A part time project worker will:

• Draft key documents and coordinate logistics
• Lead outreach and recruitment communications
• Enable safe and inclusive practices
• Evaluate project impact with youth and churches
• Facilitate youth led projects where requested

Under the auspices of Yarra Yarra Presbytery and Vic/Tas Synod.