Roots and Rising: Intergenerational Faith Formation
Roots and Rising aims to collect and document intergenerational faith stories to increase connection, shared wisdom, and belonging between congregational members. By facilitating intentional storytelling groups, we will create a platform for knowledge exchange between different generations, contributing to a rich oral history digital archive.
This initiative recognizes the vital role of faith stories in shaping community identity and faith formation, while also promoting peace and understanding across generations and cultures. The project will engage and train youth and adult pairs in culturally sensitive storytelling practices, involving them in documenting narratives from 20-30 congregational members across three ministries (English, Cantonese, and Mandarin speaking). Intergenerational storytelling groups will explore relevant themes related to faith, immigrant experiences, community, and identity. To ensure accessibility, translators and interpreters will be involved throughout the project.
Recognizing the power of diverse expression, we will integrate artists to transform these stories into various creative forms, including visual arts and audio pieces. This multimedia approach will invite a range of audiences to engage with the stories in new and imaginative ways, fostering a deeper appreciation for shared histories.
The project will culminate in an event celebrating our collective work and launching the digital oral history archive. Additionally, we will develop a replicable guide for other intergenerational immigrant churches, extending the impact of this initiative beyond our immediate community and contributing to broader efforts in immigrant churches across Toronto.
Christen Kong is a lifelong member of Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church (TCMC) and a 2nd generation Chinese-born-Canadian. She has served in various capacities, including board secretary, youth leader, and English Ministry leadership. Her experience in story collection involves using audio recordings to document narratives of people and objects locally and internationally. As a registered social worker, Christen is passionate about connecting artistic expression, faith, and mental well-being as approaches to understand God.
Congregational and Community grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding. This inaugural cohort of grantees included organizations working with children and youth, capacity building for a community. ministry, support for community healthcare, and research on congregational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
