The strategy for the next 3 years is fairly ambitious, involving both distinct areas of youth and children’s ministry and several areas (such as leadership) where they might merge. In essence though, it will involve the following:
- Leadership Development: This will involve training programmes, qualifications and events, parish and leader visits, developing young leaders, youth summer teams, networking, advice and good communication to contacts in parishes.
- Resource Development and Provision: It is essential for good children’s and youth ministry that parishes get the right resources for their context. Therefore we aim to work with parishes to identify the best resources and, where necessary, to develop resources that best meet the needs of parishes in the diocese. Over the last few years we have produced a handbook on Confirmation, an accessible history book to give a good background on where our church came from and what it’s practice is, and have just produced a handy games book for young people and older children. Over the next few years we hope to develop a family faith resource for parishes, a leaders’ manual for those working in children’s ministry, Confirmation resources and a pre-confirmation course for children aged from 10-13 years.
- Events and initiatives for Children: While the focus of the strategy will be about equipping parishes in their ministry, there will be several opportunities for direct work with children. These will include Children’s Events and Family days, partnering with parishes to run Holiday Bible Clubs and a long-term aim of running residential camps for children and young people.
- Events and initiatives for Young People: These will include working with parishes in the area of Confirmation such as running Confirmation weekends, day events and involvement in services. There will also be youth training offered, youth residentials and summer team opportunities.
- Representation: The Youth and Children’s Department will also be working alongside other organisations to provide resources and shape policy for the benefit of children and young people. For instance we are closely involved with a faith sub-group of the health Trusts in Northern Ireland that has produced a resource for young people on relationships and sexual health from a Christian perspective. Or, for instance, in playing a key part in the new C of I Children’s Ministry Network.
Click here to see who is involved with running DDYC.
The Down and Dromore Youth and Children’s Department was set up by the Diocese in 2011 as an amalgamation of Diocesan youth ministry and a newly created children’s ministry. It currently includes a development officer for children and one for young people as well as several volunteers. It is advised by a youth and children’s council and supported by two distinct working groups for both children and young people.
Our broad aim is to resource and support the development of effective youth and children’s ministry in Parishes and across the Diocese of Down and Dromore. In 2011 our 78 parishes organised or hosted 590 separate initiatives for children and young people involving almost 2,000 voluntary leaders.
