All change in the Youth and Children’s Department
Over the last 3 years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of support initiatives for parishes in various areas of ministry. This has included children’s ministry support in training and advice, developing new Bible clubs, children’s events, church services and schools work. We also launched other new initiatives such as summer camps, 20’s and 30’s programmes and resources and training for families. In order to continue and develop this work we have employed a third person and renamed and restructured the department.
In his new role as Diocesan Development Officer, Andrew Brannigan will manage a new Children’s, Youth and Families Department. He will be responsible for ongoing staff and strategic management as well as resource and programme development (eg. the new 101+ Ideas book for parishes) and the newer initiatives mentioned above. Andrew also plans to expand our support to family ministries in parishes and to develop new project ideas within the diocese.
Our Diocesan Children’s Officer, Julie Currie, has achieved a great deal in her first 3 years with us and has connected with hundreds of leaders to encourage children’s ministry. Her work over the next period will concentrate on resourcing and supporting parishes to grow their Sunday Schools and starting new children’s programmes, particularly for the Year of Mission. She will also be developing a new summer camp for primary school aged children.
Tim Burns, our new Youth Officer, started on 1st September and comes to us from a youth ministry post in Swords Baptist, Dublin, where he worked for 8 years. He will support parishes in growing youth ministry and this will include partnering more closely with several parishes at once to develop programmes. Tim will also be involved in support for confirmations, Summer Madness and summer camps.