Brilliant turn out for All Aboard Training

Monday May 20th 2019

Leaders who attended All Aboard training at Dunluce Parish Centre with Connor Children’s Project Development Officer Jill Hamilton (centre).

Ripple – Children’s Ministry Connor, has hosted three training evenings for its new All Aboard progamme, and Children’s Officer Jill Hamilton has thanked all those who attended.

The training took place in three venues across the diocese. Jill said: “It was fantastic to see so many come along and participate in the evenings. The enthusiasm and interest of all the voluntary leaders was very encouraging.”

All Aboard training at Dunluce Parish Centre.

On Tuesday May 14 the session took place in Dunluce Parish Centre in Bushmills in the Archdeaconry of Dalriada. “Many thanks to Canon George Graham for hosting us and the team there for the fantastic tea and buns they provided for everyone. We had a great turn out from voluntary leaders from many of the churches in the surrounding area and further afield,” Jill said.

The following day the training took place in St John’s Parish centre in Ballyclare, Archdeaconry of Connor.

“A special thanks to Lynn Adams who has recently been appointed as the Children’s and Family worker in Glenavy Parish and has also joined our Diocesan Children’s Council,” Jill said. “Lynn took part in the training on Wednesday, leading some of the upfront presenting.”

All Aboard training in Ballyclare.

Jill also thanked the Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth for the use of the venue, Dianne Hamilton the parish’s family associate minister, for coming along and for helping with the technology and Gillian Taylor who made the tea and coffee.

On Thursday May 16 the training moved to St Stephen’s Belfast, where they was lots of help from Josh Barr, children’s and family worker for St Stephen’s and St Michael’s. Jill thanked Heather and Canon Jim Carson for the use of the halls.

Around 70 leaders came along over the three evenings – a brilliant turn out.

Fun at the All Aboard training in Ballyclare.

Jill said: “The All Aboard programme has 36 sessions and will be suitable for a year’s programme. It will be delivered to churches in printed form in August ready for September. There will also be pen drives included which will contain the 36 sessions as well as digital resources. Extra resources will also be available online via the Ripple website.

“The plan is that there will be three years of material produced. There have been eight churches piloting the programme this year and those who wish to continue with the programme next year will receive Year 2 in August.”