Youth and children’s events for the diary

Tuesday March 1st 2022

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic restrictions, there is a real buzz in Connor Diocese as in-person youth and children’s ministry leaps out of lockdown!

Both these ministries, led by Diocesan Youth Officer Christina Baillie and Children’s Ministry Development Officer Victoria Jackson, reached out to younger members of the Church family throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns, with many activities moving online.

Then, last autumn, there was the opportunity for Muddy Church, then the very successful Christmas panto trails for families, while in January our young people had a great time at the re-arranged Connor Takes the Castle event which had to move to Shane’s Castle for 2022.

Christina and Victoria have planned a series of events which will bring children and young people together with their peers for worship, fun and fellowship.

On the youth front, the members of Connor Youth Forum will host Destination, an evening featuring food, worship band, activities and games. This is scheduled for April 10, will be free to attend and is open to all young people aged 11-18.

Ballymena Parish is hosting a Diocesan Youth Worship evening during Holy Week on Monday April 11. This will run from 7.30-9pm and all young people are welcome.

SUMMER MADNESS

Summer Madness 2022 has a new venue and will take place from July 1-5 in Portglenone. Christina will share an announcement in due course about the Connor Sub Camp but she is encouraging young people to get SIGNED UP.

After a two year absence, Streetreach returns in-person from July 5-8, when young people will exercise faith in action in the community around Mossley Parish. You can sign up to be part of Streetreach HERE.

Engage Connor Youth will be facilitating training events with Love for Life for parents of young people and youth leaders in May.

The Hashtags & Hormones programme aims to help equip parents and anyone who has contact with young people to deal with the ‘hot topics’ and to raise awareness about what’s happening in the lives of young people, tackling the tricky conversations around puberty, relationships, and sex.

Training is scheduled for Tuesday May 24 from 7.30-9.30pm (venue to be confirmed) and Thursday May 26 from 7.30-9.30pm in St Matthew’s, Belfast.

NARNIA

It’s a few months away yet, but children and families will want to get it into their diaries! All Aboard – Connor Children’s Ministry is organising a Narnia outreach event to take place in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, from November 20-26. This will be open to schools, children’s ministry organisations, families and church groups.

The Sunday School resource – All Aboard Year 3 – will be available in print from end of March.

Victoria has organised a school assembly training lunch for clergy, and this will take place at St Columba’s Parish Church, Whiterock, on March 30 from 12-2pm.

Victoria and Christina are jointly planning a new leaders’ session to take place on Wednesday May 11 from 7.30pm-9pm (venue to be confirmed) and Thursday May 12 online. This is for volunteers who are new to children’s or youth ministry or those hoping to build confidence in their roles.

Launch 2022, a training event for clergy and all leaders in youth and children’s ministry, is planned to take place on Saturday September 3 from 10am -1pm at St Patrick’s, Broughshane.

So lots to look forward to for leaders, young people, children and families!