CAPTION: Some of the children and families workers from across the Diocese of Exeter who took part in the first Catalyst course
Catalyst Course Invests in Churches’ Children and Families Ministry
10 children and families workers from across Devon have just graduated from the Church of England’s first Catalyst training course.
The Diocese of Exeter was one of 12 dioceses to pilot Catalyst, which is a strand of the Church of England’s 30K project to double the number of children and young people in churches, raise-up 27,000 new children and youthwork volunteers and 3000 new children and youthwork workers.
Catalyst aims to help participants deepen their theological and practical knowledge, hone their skills and follow God’s call for mission with children and young people.
It is fully funded by the Church of England and and delivered by Ridley Hall theological college, in Cambridge, with teaching by experts in the fields of children and youth ministry.
Enjoying time together at the Catalyst conference
Philli Wilson, from Cranbrook Church is one of the people who has graduated from Catalyst, she said: “The Catalyst course provides the opportunity to take some time out to think about children and young people generally and in your own setting, to reflect on your own ministry and to have great fellowship, share ideas and be supported in prayer.”
Claire Nichols, who is the REACH project lead worker in Willand, Kentisbeare, Uffculme and Blackborough parishes has also graduated from the Catalyst course. She said, “It has been a long time since I was last in formal learning so I was a bit worried about how I’d manage it alongside full time work. But it has been a brilliant course, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is working with children!
“It has been wonderful to meet with others from across the country who share a passion for working with children.
“It has expanded upon my understanding of ministry with children and given me lots to think about and reflect upon.”
Catalyst is aimed at people with a range of experience, from new volunteers to paid children and youth workers, those who want to be equipped, empowered and resourced to serve the next generation and those who want to be a catalyst for change in our churches and communities.
Claire Nichols leads a children and families activity in her mission community
The course is a mixture of online and in person small group sessions and a residential conference.
Topics covered include: safeguarding, cultural awareness, working in groups, discipleship, self-knowledge, self-reflection, theology, biblical studies, play, informal learning, mission and evangelism.
Sharon Blyth, Children and Families Mission Enabler, for the Diocese of Exeter, said “Investing in children, young people and their families is one of the key priorities for the Church of England.
“A new Catalyst Course is beginning at the end of September. Could it be for you? It doesn’t matter if you are a paid children’s worker or a volunteer, if you are in your twenties or in your seventies.
“Everybody is part of this. Would you like to join the next cohort?
“Catalyst is a great way of growing in confidence and growing in our theology and to reflect on what we do and feel more confident in our work with children and young people.
“If that could be you or someone within your church or community, please contact me!”
You can find out more about Catalyst here.
and by watching the video below.
If you would like to apply for Catalyst please email Sharon Blyth to register your interest: click to email Sharon Blyth
