Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester

Youth Group — Objectives 2009-10

The mission statement for the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester is:

�We believe that the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester, exists to build up the individual and corporate spiritual life of our Church and to spread the love of Christ through word and deed, by enabling those who live and work within our town to come into contact with God�s love and come to faith in Christ.�

As part of this, the objectives of the Youth Group are:

To ensure that young people are nurtured in their faith and included in the life of the Church, by...

Bringing young people together in a fun, safe Christian environment to share ideas and enjoy each other�s company through a wide range of activities, including Bible studies, sports and games, trips out and taking part in events for young people organised by the Diocese. We aim not to treat our young people as a homogenous group, but instead to recognize the diversity of their needs and aspirations and help them in a small group context to feel accepted and to grow in faith and service. Diversity in terms of young people�s different social and ethnic backgrounds, mental and physical abilities and ages is viewed as a strength. We may offer the option for different activities for older (age 15-18) and younger (age 11-14) group members where appropriate.
Not seeking to separate them from the congregation as a whole, but encouraging them to take on their own roles within the Church e.g. serving, singing in the choir, helping out with Children�s Church and, as a group remaining visible by helping to lead worship formally and informally during one service each term e.g. Parish Praise or Parish Communion. Also, we will encourage them to report on youth group activities for the monthly Parish magazine and for the Church website.
Helping them to explore their own experience of faith in a more structured way using the Youth Alpha materials.
Helping them to explore the diversity that exists between and within denominations of the Christian Church by providing them with opportunities to meet others in a positive environment, for example by attending Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in Cheltenham over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Helping young people to serve the Church and wider community in relevant and dynamic ways by...

Engaging with scripture creatively to help our young people to connect faith with their daily lives and current affairs and to help them feel able to share their faith with others through service. Use of the Youth Alpha materials and other discussion starter activities is one way in which we will do this.
Helping them to learn about issues of social justice in relation to trade and consumerism and the growth of the Fair trade movement. In particular, we will encourage the group to run a Fair trade stall once a month after the morning Sunday service, promote Fair trade Fortnight and promote the use of fairly trade goods e.g. coffee and tea at all Church meetings and events. The group�s work on this should enable the Church to apply for Fair trade status through the UK Fair trade Foundation in 2009-10. It is intended that those aged 9 and 10 may also support this activity and that this might be seen as one way of connecting with those who are not yet old enough to join the group.
Helping them to learn about issues of social justice in relation to the environment and helping them to promote environmentally-friendly practices, including commissioning organic fair-trade cotton bags to sell to the congregation and local community to use instead of plastic bags.
Helping them to invite others into the wider community of the Church by putting on session that they will feel comfortable inviting their friends to.

Developing Youth Group leadership, by...

Ensuring that the Church�s Child Protection Policy is adhered to in full.
Involving young people in planning and leading their own activities.
Holding regular meetings (usually once or twice per term) for leaders to put together the timetable of activities and also develop the vision for youth work in our Church.
Taking up Diocesan/other opportunities for youth leader training and development and networking.
Identifying and drawing on the talents and experiences of adult members of the congregation and inviting them to be involved with specific Youth Group meetings and activities.

We believe that the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester, exists to build up the individual and corporate spiritual life of our Church and to spread the love of Christ through word and deed, by enabling those who live and work within our town to come into contact with God�s love and come to faith in Christ.

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