Rideau Park United Church

Youth Council

The Rideau Park Youth Council forms an important part of the history of the congregation. This brief summary of its activities appeared in the bulletin on the occasion of the Youth Council Reunion, June 15-16, 2002.

During the 1970s and 80s teen participation in the United Church Youth Councils was very strong across the country and one of the largest and most active was right here at Rideau Park United Church.

In the summer of 1972 the 26 year old Rev. Jamie Gosse arrived at Rideau Park to assist the Rev. J. A. Ott McKennitt in youth ministry. Within a very short time a core group of four teens had grown in numbers until by the mid-1970s, 80 to 100 teens were meeting regularly.

Under the leadership of Audrey Foster a singing group was formed and it (The Singing Group) and the handbell choir along with the Senior Choir filled the choir loft and helped to lead the music during worship on many Sunday mornings (two services) and special services, especially Christmas Eve. They rehearsed every Sunday evening, so family dinners had to be finished early.

For many members of the Youth Council (ages ranging from 14 to 20, sometimes older) their social life centred around the Youth Council, The Singing Group, and the church. There were regular study groups, dances, as well as many opportunities to share in work around activities such as church picnics at Vincent Massey Park, the bazaar, and Daily Vacation Bible School. Many became expert dishwashers!

Annual Youth Council Variety Shows were very special events in the congregation and many previously hidden talents were discovered.

Under the leadership of Audrey Foster and Jamie Gosse, parents of the Youth Council members were always involved–especially as chaperones at each event. There were winter retreats to Le Petit Rouge and Huberdeau, Quebec. There were bus tours in the summers to Newfoundland the prairie provinces, Ontario, the Maritimes and to New York City and even Washington, D.C. during the bicentennial year of 1976. There were also many camping trips.

During this period, Barry Gosse, the Rev. Jamie Gosse's brother, was Director of Music at Islington United Church in Toronto and also conductor of the Etobicoke Youth Choir and orchestra. Exchanges between the two churches were arranged and our Youth Council participated, All of these groups travelled to Montreal a couple of times and those members of the Youth Council who sang with the choir and orchestra from Toronto will never forget the thrill of leading the music in worship at St. Joseph's Oratory.

Many former Youth Council members and their families continue to serve in this congregation and other congregations throughout Canada and abroad. Some became ordained clergy: the Rev. John Murphy and the Rev. Marion (Denyes) Hartgerink in 1970; the Rev. Kenneth Gallinger in 1973; the Rev. Meg (Illman) White in 1987; and the Rev. Bob Matheson in 1980. The Rev. Rick Potter, a childhood friend of Jamie Gosse, assisted Jamie in youth ministry here at Rideau Park. Rick married Janice Wolfe, daughter of Jim and Norine Wolfe, and he was ordained in 1995.

In 1981, Jamie Gosse married Marcia Becker, daughter of Ed and Martha Becker and in September 1983 their daughter Melanie was born. Both Marcia and Melanie continue to serve our church, especially with the handbell choirs, and the youth. Jamie served until his death in 1984.

We are grateful for this time to share wonderful memories and know that similar memories are being nourished by leaders In the current youth ministry here at Rideau Park.

Thanks be to God, the bells ring out.

Helen and Bas Groeneweg