Power-up your children and families ministry

First published on: 25th November 2021

Has the pandemic impacted your interaction with the children and families in your church?

Do the old ways no longer work? 
 
How will you move forward with your children and family ministry in the new year as Fit for Mission gains momentum?
 
Join the next online focus group to explore, collaborate and share learning with others, receive support and equip your ministry team to re-focus.

Ven Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley and Sefton is the Diocesan champion for Growing Faith. He said:    

I would really urge you to become part of this not least because Sue Mitchell has huge experience and knowledge and is a great encourager. Working with children and families is not always easy but is certainly rewarding and learning together with others has proved to be very affirming. Growing Faith is not a new initiative but a different approach and is beginning to bear fruit.

How can this help you? 

  • To be intentional in developing a clearer picture of what you need to do and how you can best serve, equip and empower your children and families on their faith journey in church, school and home. 

  • Re-shape your ministry as we move into a new season and Reflect on new ways of working and thinking.

  • Collaborate. Working together as churches, between church & schools, church & families and other para -church organisations. Share learning, experiences and idea exchange.    

  • Receive Support. Support is vital as we journey together, small steady steps with no pressure, to create beneficial impact to your ministry. Being part of a group of like-minded people, to discuss share issues and concerns and learn from each other   

  • CFCA Child Friendly awarded churches - if your church has been awarded a CFCA in the past then this is something you should be getting invloved with.

An information evening will be held on zoom followed by a start in the New Year  

To register your interest/find out more contact Sue.Mitchell@liverpool.anglican.org 

What have previous focus group participants said?

 

"During the last 18 months, when we have all felt cut off from our church communities and have felt that we have lost so much ground with our children and young families, the Growing Faith group has restored hope and renewed enthusiasm. We have been introduced to inspiring speakers and have realised that we can work creatively to reach out and speak to those we might have felt we have lost. We have had times for quiet reflection and time to support each other, realising that we are not alone and that there are others out there experiencing the same challenges and the same ideas. This group has really helped me to be re-enthused and has been a source of inspiration and support."

June Dunning, Local Missional Leader, St Philips Westbrook  

 

"I got involved with the Growing Faith focus group shortly after taking on a new parish.  It has enabled me to work alongside our children’s ministry coordinator and, together, to ask some deeper questions about our vision for the involvement of children and young people in our church. The ideas and the support we have received from the team have been excellent and I would thoroughly recommend taking part."

Rev Marie Raffay, Vicar of St Michael’s Huyton  

 

"I have enjoyed the ‘Reflecting on Growing Faith Focus Group’. We were able to examine what the Church, in our own settings presents to a child, a young person and a family. We were challenged, encouraged and supported throughout the six months in so many ways. And for each of us the Lord will be speaking into different areas. One of the phrases used was the idea of being intentional. When reflecting I would return to God given images presented to me one day during Church worship.  

Prior to Covid, my church had tentatively discussed Sunday provision for children, young people and families with the aim of prayerfully changing something. One of the ‘Growing in Faith’ facilitators attended a PCC meeting and gave us much ‘food for thought’ which led to a summer Sunday redesign of worship. Our next step will be to gather for prayer to see if the Lord wants us to pursue a new service designed for families to worship and learn together.  So, you see the group has helped our confidence, knowledge and purpose in seeking to bring others to faith, to build upon current faith and to seek the Lord’s guidance in all things."  

Rita Hayes Reader at St Mary Grassendale  

  

"Being part of this group has been a tremendous encouragement to me.  

It's been good to share experiences and ideas - and to know that no one person has all the answers! It has helped keep me focused, especially during the strange and disconnected time we have all gone through."

Margaret Moore, Childrens Co-ordinator  

 

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