Message from the Rector
Ow sos ger,
Last week I was away on a residential. The final part of the National training course for clergy working with children, young people and families. It was an incredible course that allowed us to take a step out of ministry and think about what it is we do when we are talking with, being with, chatting with, teaching with people aged 18ish and under.
We were challenged about our own experience and asked to consider what it was like for us growing up, asking ourselves questions about what it was that we found meaningful and precious about activities and people in our lives. The course felt like is had a strong mining connection as we were encouraged to share out of the rich resources of our own experience. It felt like we were mining for gold!
We met twice for a two night residential and the final one was 72 hours, three nights. They felt intense, but we all appreciated the intentionality of what we were doing.
The thing that we all had in common, we represented the whole spectrum of diversity as found within the C of E, was that what we remembered most keenly and valued unequivocally was the relationships we had with individuals. The people who showed they were interested in us. The people who took time to listen and to hear what we talked about. For example, one of my most treasured relationships as a child was with my infants teacher Mrs Winter. Her warmth and encouragement remain with me still and I credit her with having introduced me to God. I am so thankful because as a child growing up I always knew that God was with me.
As we remembered our own experiences we then began exploring what it is we do in church to foster healthy relationships. We discussed mentoring and discipleship, as well as the importance of ritual for children under age 10, the need for teenagers to have room to rebel and not join in with anything but remain in the room!
It’s not easy but if we think of church as being a family i.e. it is about the people (of every age) rather than the building or the routine, we make room for our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to grow up around us and find their feet, we can do the same within the church family, in doing so, they will find their way on the path to faith and discipleship. As godly aunts and uncles and surrogate grandparents share their experiences of God, the children and young people will discover the language of faith and Christian spirituality.
It sounds grand, and we can be tempted to think we need a special formula to make it happen but the reality is that we need to provide opportunities for children and young people to want to discover more. They will do that if we are willing to be a bit vulnerable by listening to the struggles and challenges that the young people have today and being willing to share from the experiences where we have struggled too.
Will you join me in making outreach to children, families and schools our priority across the Upper Fal Parishes?
Gras ha kres,
Caroline
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