Youth workers, children's workers, chaplains and our volunteers with young people play an imporant role in supporting the spiritual growth of our young people, helping them to grow as faith champions.

The role that you play in our chaplaincies is vital if we are to fire up passionate, creative, inclusive young people who will form the future leaders of our church here in Europe. We can all name 1 person, when we were young, who encouraged us in our faith and built up our confidence to share the love of Christ with those around us.  And just as we were built up in our younger days, so the responsibility falls to us to build up the faith of our young people in our communities today, helping them to grow spiritually, feel comfortable in the culture in which they live, become faith champions amongst their peers, and inspire them to engage with the church and have a passion to explore their own vocation to lead the church in Europe into the future.

For those charged with this most important task - whether through paid employment or in a voluntary capacity - fulfilling this role in a diocese as vast as Europe can be challenging and at times can seem overwhelming and isolating. Questions may arise such as: Are there other leaders working with our young people facing the challenges I face? Or are there resources that others use that could make my life just a little easier?

That is where the children and youth ministry network comes in. Its focus is to:

• Enabling anyone who works with our young people to meet as a community and know they are not alone;
• Sharing the successes and challenges of working with young people from such a wide and diverse area;
• Sharing resources and ideas to make life that little bit easier;
• Offering training and updates on local and national initiatives.

We also have an exciting five-year strategy which we hope will allow us to encourage and support out essential workers, not just online, but in person and through retreats. And to support our young people through their own networks, retreats and engagement with church and Diocese at all levels. WATCH THIS SPACE!!

If you have recently joined the diocese, then you are very welcome; know that we are here to support you in your ministry.

If you're already working with our young people; then we thank you for all you do and we pray God´s richest blessings upon your ministry;  and if you haven’t yet been to a network meeting - then you're missing out!!

Contact our Children and Youth Network Co-ordinator Revd Canon Stephen Murray to be added to the mailing group and receive details of when the youth network meets, join the Facebook page to see what others are doing, and if you just want to say hello, or ask more about how to inspire our young people, then please get in touch!

May God bless you richly in this vital ministry and again, thank you.

Revd Iain Bendrey,

Head of Strategy, Children and Youth Ministry

iain.bendrey@europe.anglican.org