Wednesday 19 July 2023, online
Teaching Parenting for Faith to your team
This free training for children’s, youth and families’ leaders is delivered by Parenting for Faith in their dedicated Children’s, Youth and Family Leaders Facebook group from 1pm. How do we excite and inspire our team of volunteers with a long-term approach of parenting for faith? There will be 30 minutes of input, followed by an optional 30 minute Zoom chat with others. The teaching segment will be recorded and can be accessed after the event at the same link.
Thursday 20 July 2023, online event
National Youth Agency Supper Club: the participation of young people in safeguarding
The participation of young people in safeguarding puts them front and centre in the development of safeguarding processes. It involves young people in the design, delivery and evaluation of services, policies and practices. This approach ensures that young people's views are taken into account and that their voice is heard. It also helps to create a better understanding of the risks that young people face and the challenges they need to overcome in order to stay safe. Register here.
27 July to 17 August 2023, John Wesley's New Room, Bristol
Wonderful world of books
This summer, stories will be jumping off the pages into the New Room. Exploring favourite children’s books with a different story read each week, followed by a fun craft activity and then a trip to explore the museum. Plus, a museum trail available throughout the summer holidays. Find out more and book.
Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 August, Royal Cornwall Events Centre
Creation Fest: Rhythms of Faith
A full families programme will run alongside the music and speaking content led by Imagine Ministries and a custom-built, free-to-attend undercover skate park draws hundreds of skaters each day. New features for 2023 include a large-scale elephant in partnership with Compassion International, an escape room in partnership with MAF, a gaming centre and competition hosted by Chillblast, and an evening Got Questions series for youth hosted by Alpha UK. Free of charge for day admission, camping rates apply. Find out more here.
Friday 11 August 2023, online
Becoming a trauma-informed Church
A virtual training event designed to equip church leaders and lay people with a deep understanding of trauma and its impact, as well as a practical application of Trauma-Informed Care principles within the context of the church. Find out more and book here.
Tuesday 19 September 2023, online
Talking to kids about the media
This is a free Facebook live event for all parents, carers and those involved in children’s lives, organised by Parenting for Faith. How do we help our children to be discerning when it comes to what they consume online? 30min input, followed by optional 30min discussion – why not gather a group to watch together? Head to the Parenting for Faith Facebook page at 8pm on the above date. All sessions are recorded and can be accessed after the event from that same page.
Tuesday 19 September 2023, Durham (also in Reading and Leeds on 9 October, online on 19 October)
Introduction to schools ministry training from Scripture Union
Featuring sessions on: collective worship, clubs, year-round support, how to serve your school well, the key to developing local partnerships, ensuring a relational and long-term approach. Find out more here and book for Durham 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.
Saturday 30 September 2023, online event
Exploring digital
Join together with Methodists from all over Britain for a special digital gathering. Learn from key individuals who've mastered the digital world on how to connect and share the Gospel online. The event will feature insightful keynotes, group discussions and an expert panel. Find out more 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 6 to Sunday 8 October 2023, NEC Birmingham
3Generate children's and youth assembly
See articles in Well News or click here.
Monday 9 October 2023, Reading (also in Durham on 19 September, Leeds on 9 October, online on 19 October)
Introduction to schools ministry training from Scripture Union
See information for 19 September or find out more here and book for Reading here.
Monday 9 October 2023, Leeds (also in Durham on 19 September, Reading on 9 October, online on 19 October)
Introduction to schools ministry training from Scripture Union
See information for 19 September or find out more here and book for Leeds here.
Thursday 12 October 2023, Birmingham
Beyond conference
Frontier Youth Trust and CURBS are hosting a learning day for those interested in connecting with children and Young people BEYOND the walls of the Church. Most children and young people no longer have a connection to a local church. The old patterns of ministry to children and young people within our walls has to change. The day will create space for youth and children's work practitioners to share stories from their practice. A collection of speakers will deliver short Ted talk style presentations followed by roundtable discussion. Find out more and book.
Saturday 14 October 2023, Manchester
Crackin Good Church
This free event is a gathering to promote new Christian communities at the margins. It’s for anyone who is a part or want to be a part of a community at the margins. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Deacon Kerry Scarlett, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, will be speaking at the event. Find out more and apply for tickets.
Thursday 19 October 2023, online (also in Durham on 19 September, Reading and Leeds on 9 October)
Introduction to schools ministry training from Scripture Union
See information for 19 September or find out more here and book for the online course 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 in recent Well News or book here for the October/November course.
Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 November 2023, Staffordshire
The Forge gathering
This is a three-day fun and inspiring retreat for all children’s, youth and families’ workers (paid or unpaid). You will be refreshed, laugh, have fun with those who ‘get it’ and be inspired by relevant teaching, Spirit-filled worship and the chance to share ideas with others. £185. Find out more and book here.
Friday 12 to Sunday 14 2024, Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre
Whole Hearted - Evangelism & Growth Conference
The Evangelism and Growth team have felt for a while that we need to gather people across the Methodist Church who have a sense of the hopeful future that the Holy Spirit is leading us to. So we have created the 'Whole Hearted' weekend event, which aims to open us to the bigger picture of God's mission in the world today. Places on the conference, including all accommodation and food costs, are fully funded, but a deposit will be required at the time of booking. This deposit will be returned in full after the weekend to all who attend. As well as residential bookings for the whole weekend, there are also day tickets for Saturday 13 January. Register for a place here.