Methodist Children, Youth and Families


the well

Dear Well members

Below is another bumper edition of The Well News, with all the key updates from the Methodist Children, Youth and Family Team.  Happy reading!

OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS ARE CHANGING!


There are some exciting changes taking place to our social media channels. To keep up to date with EVERYTHIING children, youth and family ministry related – including 3Generate – there’ll be just one place you need to be! Join our brand new The Well Community on Facebook to be informed, resourced and equipped.

NEW TO THE 3GENERATE APP


31 days of brand new devotional content was recently added to the 3Gen App. These devotions have been written especially for children and young people to help them as they Tune In to God.


Download the App for free on both Apple and Android. If you already have the App, you may need to update to get this exciting new feature.

FRIDAY 6 TO SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER 2023,

THE NEC, BIRMINGHAM


ONE WEEK UNTIL VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION OPENS!


"Going to 3Generate is like having an energy boost! To see so many Methodist young people in one place is just amazing."


We will be opening volunteer registration from Wednesday 1 March 2023 for this year's event and looking for new people to join our growing community of staff and volunteers, who make up our brilliant 3Generate Delivery Team. Please note, if you served as part of the 3Generate delivery team last year, you do not need to complete the full application again - you will be contacted directly and asked to fill out a short form if you'd like to join the team again this year.


Why you should consider volunteering...

  • Join a team of 250+ people, living out their discipleship in an exciting way.
  • Play your part in a vibrant event that transforms and inspires everyone involved.
  • Use your skills - and develop new ones!
  • Encourage and equip the younger generation of the Methodist Church.
  • Meet new people, have fun and be welcomed into the 3Generate family.


APPLY TO BE PART OF THE 3GEN DELIVERY TEAM HERE

LOOKING TO BRING A GROUP TO 3GENERATE?


Tickets for this year's 3Generate event go on sale from Monday 17 April 2023. Start making your plans now! If you came with a group last year you can log into you iKnow Church profile and make sure your details and the copy of your DBS certificate are all up to date.


If you have any questions, email us or visit the 3Generate web pages.

FAITH AT THE FRONTLINE

11 - 12 MARCH, CLIFF COLLEGE


A gathering for any young adult (aged 18-30) who’s interested in developing confidence in talking about their faith with others, whether that be in daily life or through a recognised ministry such as Local Preacher, Worship Leader, or group leader.


FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK HERE

LET'S TALK ABOUT DISABILITY

A SAFE SPACE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHARE

NEXT EVENT: MONDAY 20 MARCH 2023, 6.30PM - 7.30PM ONLINE


Online gatherings, hosted by young people for young people, providing a safe space to discuss their own experience of disability in its broadest sense.


These events are open to anyone, aged 8 to 18, who is disabled, a young carer or an ally. They offer an opportunity to meet with others who share similar experiences and give one another support and affirmation.


Tickets need to be booked by parents or carers on behalf of children and young people.


FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK TICKETS HERE

THRIVING FAMILIES

THURSDAY 23 MARCH, 11AM - 2PM, ONLINE


An opportunity to find out more about how you can get ministry with families and households up and running. Learn about ways to support family wellbeing as well as sharing and discovering new resources. There'll be plenty of time to chat to others too!


Thriving Families is a joint event with the Methodist Children, Youth and Family team, Learning Network North West and Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF). We hope you can join us!


CLICK HERE TO BOOK

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSES IN 2023


All courses take place online.

 

Places on these courses are prioritised for Methodist leaders, workers, volunteers and parents. If you are not Methodist and would like to attend a course, please contact Lynne Norman and she will ensure you are added to a waiting list.


Space on the course is severely limited and so you are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Participants will need to attend all four sessions and complete approx. 1.5 hours of self-guided learning between sessions and ahead of session 1.


The cost of attending the course is £35. This covers the price of the course materials (which will be posted to your home address) and the Eventbrite fees. This training has a recommended retail price of £300 and we are offering it for a heavily subsidised price to those working for the Methodist Church. You can find out more about MHFA training here.


2023 training courses:


Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Friday 21 April 2023 (10am – 12.30pm)

Click here to book your place on the April course


Wednesday 14, Thursday 15, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 June 2023 (10am – 12.30pm)

Click here to book your place on the June course


Tuesday 31 October, Thursday 2, Tuesday 7, Thursday 9 November 2023 (2pm – 4.30pm)

Click here to book your place on the October/November course


If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Norman.

HARNESSING YOUR POWER

For children, young people and their leaders.


Saturday 4 March 2023 – 11am to 3.30pm

 

Wesley’s Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU


An opportunity for young people to gather, share their experiences, hear other people’s stories, and be encouraged to think about how they can harness the power they have.


Exploring eight powers that young people have including: time, kindness, our voice and prayer.


Children and young people aged 11 to 23 are invited to attend with their group leaders (we ask that there is one leader for every six young people in your group).


The event is completely FREE to attend, including lunch and refreshments during the day. If you have any questions, contact Brian Smith.


Group bookings close on 27 Feb 2023.


MORE INFORMATION AND BOOK HERE

NOW RECRUITING: CONNEXIONAL SOLIDARITY CIRCLES

Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women


Are you passionate about working with others towards a fully inclusive church?


The Solidarity Circles will be online meetings that provide a safe space for members to come and share with the Church their experience of belonging to a group from a particular life experience and to learn what the Church needs to know and change in order to make it a better Church to be able to participate in. These circles will act as consultative groups for the work of the Methodist Church and will be supported and led by a volunteer coordinator.


Find out more here. Closing date 20 March 2023.

YOUTH MINISTRY ESSENTIALS


Youth Ministry Essentials will form part of the Methodist Church’s Children, Youth and Family training pathway. This program is designed to give confidence and skills to volunteers working with young people in churches and community projects. The course explores insights into the lives of young people, relevant skills and character development. It is suitable for anyone involved in or interested in developing ministry with young people (aged 11-18). The material has been developed and piloted in a Methodist Circuit in partnership with Youthscape.


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COURSE HERE


We are currently in the process of training up members of the Methodist Learning Network and others to deliver this training. If you would like to be added to a list of people interested in attending or hosting this course, please email Lynne Norman. You can also contact Lynne if you are in a circuit or district role and would like to be considered as a possible trainer.

FREE PEACE RESOURCE


Christian CND have published a new resource called Peace Be With You, which helps young people to be peacemakers. The resource looks at different aspects of God’s peace and explores what that means in our everyday lives. The activities are rooted in scripture with real-world applications, and are suitable for all ages.


Youth and children’s workers and volunteers can request a free copy HERE.

SHOW THOSE IN SCHOOLS YOU CARE


The Methodist Church has developed a range of cards to help churches and individuals encourage those in education. From teachers to students, show them you care through a prayerful message and encouraging Bible verse. Available now from Methodist Publishing.


ORDER YOUR CARDS HERE


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FLOURISH SCHOOLS HERE

CLIFF FESTIVAL 2023 -- EDEN RESTORED

26 - 29 May 2023

FREE TICKETS FOR YOUNG ADULTS!


Alongside the main programme at Cliff Festival, Methodist Young Adults are offering specific sessions aimed 18-30 year olds, giving you a chance to connect with others of a similar age. There’ll be a late-night Chill Lounge as well as opportunities to worship together and to discuss issues and ideas.  With loads of worship, Bible study, bands, workshops, activities and fun, Cliff Festival is set to be a great weekend!


Watch out on Wednesday 1 March when 20 free tickets will be released specifically for young adults (that includes ticket price and camping!).

UNDER 18S GO FREE!


Cliff Festival - your youth group’s next adventure?


Cliff Festival 23 is a place for all ages to gather for a fun weekend of camping and encountering God on the beautiful Cliff College site in Derbyshire.


The festival aims to be an affordable event for youth groups and therefore offers FREE tickets for under 18s.

MORE RESOURCES FOR LENT AND EASTER

LENT STARTS TODAY!


Time for Lent from our colleagues in the Irish Methodist Church Youth and Children Team, helps families to journey together through the six weeks of Lent.


Using a Psalm each week (coinciding with the Church Lectionary readings), there are four activities that invite us to think more about God, our families, others and the world!



Oh, The Places You’ll Go... Lent as a journey. In the gospel we see Jesus heading towards Jerusalem, as well as exploring the inner landscape of the human soul and relationships. This is familiar territory for God as we see in accompanying texts from the whole of scripture. Abraham wanders towards blessing; Moses runs headlong into conflict; Samuel searches for leadership... This resource helps to open these stories like maps for our own journey in intergenerational community, paying attention to the world around us, and the space between us, and oh, the places we’ll go…

Holy Week at Home is a selection of resources from the Children, Youth and Family Team and other places, including a journeying resource for families from Dwell, a journal for young people to use and a selection of activities to do at home for each day of Holy Week.

Experience Easter from Trinity Learning is a series of scripts to help churches offer an immersive experience to children through storytelling. It's a great tool to use if you want to invite a local school to visit as part of their RE curriculum.

Don't forget to check out The Well Creative Children's Ministry Blog for ideas for every season, including Lent and Easter.

ALL INCLUSIVE

ADDITIONAL NEEDS SEMINARS


This series of five essential seminars are for church leaders, youth and children’s leaders, parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about children and young people with additional needs or disabilities. They will help you to understand how to plan and shape ministry in accessible ways so everyone can take part. Mark Arnold, Additional Needs Ministry Director at Urban Saints will be leading these superb learning and equipping events that will offer help in very practical ways.


Sign up for one or all the sessions – the choice is yours. Dates and details about individual seminars via the link and also in our events calendar below.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Thursday 23 February 2023, online event

Nation Youth Agency Supper Club

Exploring 'the true cost of the living crisis for young people' and the vital role that youth workers can play in supporting them. Find out more and register here.

                                     

Monday 27 February 2023, online event

Developing a mentoring network

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. ‘How-To’ guide workshop will take you through the process of setting up and running a mentoring network, as well as equipping you with the ‘tools’ to mentor children and young people. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.

                                   

Tuesday 28 February 2023, online event

All Inclusive? Supporting families

See article in recent Well News or click here.

                                     

Tuesday 28 February 2023, online event

Risk assessment training for youth programmes

Designed by Pharos Response, experts in incidents and emergency handling and reputation management, this course has been designed specifically for organisations delivering services to young people. Aimed at youth workers and/ or managers responsible for writing risk assessments, or approving those written by others, including external partners, this course will give you confidence that your risk assessments are robust. The course has been subsidised with funding from DCMS which means that the cost is just £15. At the time of writing a few places are left for the 28 February - book here.


Tuesday 28 February 2023, online event

Project planning from start to finish

A free webinar from Near Neighbours, discussing the fundamentals of project planning and best practices, from initial vision development stages to project delivery. Covering topics such as how to define the project’s vision, conduct a needs assessment, engage stakeholders and create an action plan. The webinar will also explore a number of simple and easy to use tools that will help you develop, explore, revisit and evaluate your project’s vision to achieve your project’s goals. Book here.

                                   

Tuesday 28 February 2023, online event

Learn, Share and Network: Mental Health (hosted by Single Parents Wellbeing)

Katy from Mother's Matter worked tirelessly to develop a service for pre and postnatal women after struggling with mental health and loss herself. Katy is dedicated to offering support to other mothers and their children around mental health and motherhood. Join her for an insight into, among other things, how Mother’s Matter started and how to put mental health at the heart of an organisation. Find out more and book here.

                

Saturday 4 March 2023, Wesley's Chapel in London

Harnessing Your Power - for young people and their leaders

See article above or click here.

                             

Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 March 2023, Cliff College

Frontline Gathering

See article above or find out more and book here.

                                    

Monday 13 March 2023, online event

Understanding the teenage brain

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. Teenagers go through massive change in adolescence, not all of those changes can be seen, there’s a lot more happening beneath the surface.The changes that happen in the teenage brain shape the teenage experience, including emotional and relational change, independence and faith development. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.

   

Tuesday 14 March 2023, London

Supporting young people's mental health

The Diocese of London is partnering with the charity Youthscape on this free event to provide an introduction to Headstrong, their new online Mental Health Resource Hub. Find out more here.

        

Friday 17 March, Friday 21 April, Thursday 25 May 2023, London

Godly Play core training course

Led by two Godly Play trainers, these three-day courses offer a mixture of trainer-led sessions and opportunities for coached storytelling by participants. Each day focuses on a different kind of Godly Play presentation (sacred stories, parables and worship) to help you understand how different styles of Christian language support spiritual exploration. Courses take place in a model Godly Play environment, with the opportunity to use and see a comprehensive set of resources. £325 including lunch each day. Find out more here and book for London here.


Friday 17 to Saturday 18 March 2023, Milton Keynes

Project 23: Reaching Gen Z and Millennials

With food, networking and music on the Friday and four big speakers on the Saturday. Find out more and book here.

                              

Saturday 18 March 2023, online event

Exploring ordained ministry

Why might you attend this event? If you want to hear about the candidating process, receive videos to help your discernment, and ask questions about Methodist ministry.             

· Has anyone ever suggested to you that you would make a good minister?           

· Have you ever felt God calling you to serve the Church as a Deacon or Presbyter?          

· Do you want to know more about the life as an ordained minister?

Book here to attend.

           

Tuesday 28 March 2023, Newport

A Mind of Their Own

From Care for the Family, these events are packed with practical and preventative tools for you to use at home, helping you to better understand what’s going on in your child’s head. Exploring the science of the mind, and why children act and react the way they do. Find out more here or book for Newport event here.

                           

Tuesday 28 March 2023, London

Multiply: Estates Mission

A conference for practitioners with a deep love for estates mission and those who are new to the call but hungry to get going. Find out more and book here.


Wednesday 29 March 2023, Worcester

A Mind of Their Own

See information for 28 March or find out more hereBook for the Worcester event here.

                              

Wednesday 29 March 2023, online event

Gambling harms in young people

A free online training session looking at what gambling is and what harmful gambling looks like, how it affects the brain, the digital side of gambling and much more. Includes advice on where to signpost young people you work with who might be affected. Book here.

        

Thursday 30 March 2023, Northampton

A Mind of Their Own

See information for 28 March or find out more hereBook for the Northampton event here.

                            

Friday 31 March to Sunday 2 April 2023, Cliff College

Community organising

Beginning at 6pm with dinner on the Friday evening and ending after lunch on the Sunday. This course is a starting point for anybody interested in community organising. It will help develop an understanding of what community organising involves and what it looks like in the real world.  Participants will start to explore how people come together so that they can understand and take action on their concerns to build community and overcome social injustice. Find out more and book here.

                                  

Tuesday 11 April 2023, online event

Prison chaplaincy and ministry to ex-offenders

A conversation with Deacon Sue Culver and Karen Brown. Full details of this and other webinars in the 'Social justice and evangelism' series on the Methodist website or book for this webinar here.

                        

Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Friday 21 April 2023, online

Youth Mental Health First Aid training

See article above or book for the April course here.

                                    

Monday 24 April 2023, online event

The ministry of toddler groups, with Bron Coveney

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. Many churches around the country host a range of families in their churches at their weekly toddler groups. Beyond the noise and hum of babbling toddlers, there is a glorious, rewarding and exciting ministry to discover. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.


Sunday 14 to Tuesday 16 May 2023, Gloucester

Godly Play core training course

See details for 17 March or find out more hereBook for Gloucester here.

                      

Monday 15 May 2023, online event

Family/Intergenerational ministry with Gail Adcock

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. This session will explore why being intergenerational matters, reflect on the benefits it offers to all as well as sharing some useful tools and resources. Come ready to share your own tips and learn from others as we explore great ways to shape an intergenerational identity for your church both now and into the future. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.

                    

Friday 17 May 2023, University of Roehampton

Emotional spaces: The student journey through Higher Education and beyond

This free symposium proposes that we explore the journey of students through education by considering the different spaces that students inhabit as part of their experience of Higher Education and beyond.  Students are emotionally embedded in these spaces and this becomes part of the narrative of their educational experience, and how ‘successful’ they may deem this journey (and their future) to be. Find out more and book here.

       

Tuesday 23 May 2023, Bath

A Mind of Their Own

See information for 28 March or find out more hereBook for the Bath event here.


Wednesday 24 May 2023, Exeter

A Mind of Their Own

See information for 28 March or find out more hereBook for the Exeter event here.

   

Thursday 25 May 2023, Poole

A Mind of Their Own

See information for 28 March or find out more hereBook for the Poole event here.

                       

Friday 26 to Monday 29 May 2023, Cliff College

Cliff College Festival 2023 - Eden Restored

See article above or find out more here.

         

Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 June 2023, Saffron Walden, Essex

Godly Play core training course

See details for 17 March or find out more hereBook for Essex here.

                        

Monday 12 June 2023, online event

Detached youth ministry

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. Detached youth work meets young people, who are often excluded from society,where they are, on their turf. In doing so it creates space to learn what things look like from the edge and discover from that place what positive transformation and good news might look like for the young people we find there. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.

                       

Wednesday 14, Thursday 15, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 June 2023, online

Youth Mental Health First Aid training

See article above or book for the June training here.

                                

Monday 10 July 2023, online event

Working with children and young people with additional needs

Led by the London District of the Methodist Church but open wider. This session will give participants a basic knowledge of the differing types of additional needs and explore ways of making activities accessible, inclusive and welcoming. This event and others from the London District can be booked here.

           

Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 July 2023, Llandudno

Godly Play core training course

See details for 17 March or find out more here. This event is residential and the cost is £460, including two nights' accommodation. Book for Llandudno here.

                               

Saturday 23 September 2023, Bristol (also in Sheffield on 5 October)

National Estate Churches Network Conference 2023

The theme for the conference is ‘God With Us: Sharing our journey’, with opportunity to share examples of God at work and good practice in estates ministry, as well as practical workshops and fellowship. Conversations will include starting out in a new church, longevity in ministry and moving on well. Find out more and book here.

                                    

Thursday 5 October 2023, Sheffield (also in Bristol on 23 September)

National Estate Churches Network Conference 2023

See details for 23 September or click here.

                                

Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October 2023, Cliff College

Community organising

Beginning at 6pm with dinner on the Friday evening and ending after lunch on the Sunday. This course is a starting point for anybody interested in community organising. It will help develop an understanding of what community organising involves and what it looks like in the real world.  Participants will start to explore how people come together so that they can understand and take action on their concerns to build community and overcome social injustice. Find out more and book here.


Tuesday 31 October, Thursday 2, Tuesday 7, Thursday 9 November 2023, online

Youth Mental Health First Aid training

See article above or book here for the October/November course.

You may like to pass this email on to others in your church who may find it interesting.


With best wishes
Methodist Children, Youth and Families Team


Email: childrenandyouth@methodistchurch.org.uk

Website: www.childrenandyouth.org.uk  

Twitter: @childrenyouth  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/672242077973308