Day of Prayer for Young People and Youth Ministry 2022

Coming up on Sunday, 20th November

This year, the Church of Ireland’s Day of Prayer for Young People and Youth Ministry will be on Sunday 20th November 2022.  The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) is delighted to make available a new prayer journal to accompany the day. Produced in partnership with Missional Generation, the prayer journal is designed to help young people to pray and provide creative ways to listen to and respond to God.  The prayer journals are available from Diocesan Youth Officers or youth ministry contacts.

 


In addition, the Exalt prayer app now has some new features.  Since the launch of the app at the Summer Madness youth festival in June CIYD has seen over 250 young people downloading the app.  Exalt is designed to help 11-18 year olds, their peers and their youth group leaders to explore a weekly devotion together; this is designed to help young people seeking a faith in Jesus as well as those who have an active rhythm of faith.

The aim of the app is to make a creative and interactive way to help young people to pray as they explore six rotating themes over a year. During the year, young people will listen to reflections on Freedom, Justice, Forgiveness, Giving, Rejoicing and Mission.  The hope is that as a generation listens to people reflect on Scripture and hear honest and open testimony, we will see this generation growing in their knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

One of the new features allows users to share their experience of the Bible verse into their digital spaces, strengthening the young person’s confidence in sharing the Christian faith and Scripture amongst their digital platforms.  Exalt is available from either the Apple Store or Google Play and to find out more, readers are welcome to check out its promotional video at https://vimeo.com/726774098

Church of Ireland Youth Department Launches Climate Justice Toolkit

The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) is delighted to launch its Climate Justice Toolkit – a resource pack which explores climate change from a global justice perspective.  This has been adapted from materials produced in association with the Girls Friendly Society.

Steve Grasham, CIYD’s Youth Ministry Development Officer for the Southern Region, says: “Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development everywhere. Its widespread and unprecedented effects disproportionately impact the poorest and most vulnerable people in our world. The aim of this toolkit is to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes of young people as they explore the impact of climate change on our planet, the inequality of its consequences on people, and why this is unjust.”

This toolkit uses a ‘development education’ approach – an interactive and creative learning process that seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the world we live in. It challenges perceptions and stereotypes by encouraging optimism, participation and action for a just world.  Through a process of exploration, reflection and action, the activities seek to support young people to make connections between their own lives and climate justice issues, and to empower them to make a positive difference in our world.

The resource is available in a PDF document format.  Clergy, youth workers and youth leaders can contact their Diocesan Youth Officer or Steve Grasham at [email protected] for a copy. In due course, it will also be downloadable from the CIYD website: www.ciyd.org

Left to right: Simon Henry, National Youth Officer; Emma Lynch; Church and Supporter Relations Co-ordinator, Tearfund Ireland; Steve Grasham, CIYD Youth Ministry Development Officer (Southern Region); Bishop Pat Storey, CIYD President; and Mrs Brigid Barrett, CIYD Chairperson.

Youth Work News: Young Leaders in Ministry Fund

The Church of Ireland Youth Department’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund is again open for applications.  The fund is open to young people aged between 15 and 25 years who can demonstrate a current involvement in the Church of Ireland.  It seeks to support training and development courses, mission teams, leadership opportunities and placements that can be shown to:

  • significantly develop the faith of the young adult applicant;
  • grow the skills of the applicant especially in, but not confined to, leadership skills; and
  • be of significant use to the ministry of the Church of Ireland in the 12 months following the completion of the opportunity.

The next closing date is Monday, 27th September 2021, and application forms can be downloaded at the links below.

Encouraging applications, National Youth Officer Simon Henry says: “The impact of Covid–19 on young people has been significant in many ways and as a Church we need to be continually supporting our young people in not just nurturing and growing their faith but also with opportunities to grow new skills and qualifications that will be of benefit to the Church of Ireland.

“CIYD’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund aims to provide financial support to encourage more individuals from the Church of Ireland to undertake existing opportunities, both within and beyond the Church. This fund exists to grow young leaders, and as we look to a post–pandemic future, I would encourage clergy and youth leaders alike to direct their young people aged 15–25 to apply to this fund – whether it is for a youth work qualification, internship opportunity, or perhaps more local mission over the summer period and beyond.  The potential impact of this fund is huge and we have had a very encouraging response since the fund launched in 2019.”

Application form – PDF

Application form – Word document

Youth leaders are also reminded that the Keeping In Touch packs, which help to welcome young people back to in–person events, are still available for parishes across the island of Ireland.  Just click here to find out more and order your free pack.

Places are also still available on the Aurora training course for youth leaders in the Republic, which starts later this month and runs until next May.

Kilmore Diocesan Confirmation Day

Kilmore’s first Diocesan Confirmation Day was held on Saturday 9th November 2019 in Killeshandra Church Hall, Co. Cavan. A group of nearly 40 young people (along with clergy and leaders) who are preparing for confirmation at this time joined together to get to know one another and be encouraged in this big step in their journey of faith.

Simon Henry, National Youth Officer of the Church of Ireland Youth Department, was our speaker for three sessions. He spoke to the confirmands about the importance of Confirmation as a public and personal taking on of the promises of their baptism – sharing his own testimony of God in his life growing up in the Church of Ireland. He also shared about prayer and the Bible in an inspiring but also practical way, and concluded by encouraging the teenagers to play their part in the Church, not just before, but after their confirmations. We concluded with a time of worship as we considered our need for the help of the Holy Spirit to believe in and follow Christ each day. The sessions were interspersed with games and breaks, which all helped everyone to relax and get to know each other.

Thank you to Simon and all those who made the day possible, including those who brought the young people and Canon Alison Calvin & Killeshandra Parish for the use of their wonderful hall. A similar day aimed at those in the Elphin & Ardagh part of the diocese, with Simon again as the speaker, will take place on Saturday 7th March 2020 in the Cooper Memorial Hall, Riverstown.

We pray for all young people who are considering or preparing for Confirmation. Make ready their hearts and minds and bring them to a true and lasting faith in you. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help them to live out their confirmation declarations and promises for the rest of their lives, keeping their eyes firmly fixed upon you. Amen. (prayer from CIYD’s ‘Praying for Young People & Youth Ministry’ booklet)

 

School’s Services of Harvest Thanksgiving

This week yKea has hosted, not two as in previous years, but three School’s Services of Harvest Thanksgiving. Cavan Parish church hosted pupils attending national school in Kilmore, St John’s Cathedral, Sligo hosted pupils and teachers in Elphin and St John’s Church Longford hosted schools in Ardagh. It is wonderful to see how these services have grown in a few years.

This year Damien Shorten was joined by Erin Moorcroft (our CMS Australia mission partner) and Alan Williamson (Church Army Evangelist with the Drumcliffe Centre for Mission) for a fantastically fun-filled service which saw Bishop Ferran do battle with a mysterious caped superhero armed with a super soaker. Within all the laughter, music and a little splashing all those who attended were with left with a strong message that Jesus is a mighty rescuer who conquered death and paid the price for our sins to bring us to God.

 

Job Post: Diocesan Youth and Children’s Worker

The Bishop of Kilmore wishes to appoint a Diocesan Youth and Children’s Coordinator based in the Kilmore area of the diocese.

The Bishop is seeking someone who:

  • has an infectious love for the Lord and his people
  • is committed to biblical faith and orthodoxy
  • has an ability to teach the faith
  • is teachable and has a servant heart
  • is mission minded
  • relates easily to others
  • is a team player
  • is resilient
  • will be a loyal and active member of the Diocesan team.

In turn the Diocese will undertake to:

  • support the Youth and Children’s co-ordinator
  • integrate the coordinator into the Diocesan Family
  • allow for further training and development
  • assist the coordinator to develop their gifts

Applications will close at 4pm on Friday 7th June 2019. They should be submitted by email to [email protected] or be received by post to Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh Diocesan Office, 20A Market Street, Cootehill, Co. Cavan.

Should you require further information regarding the post please contact:

Mr Alan Williamson,
Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh Diocesan Youth Council.
Tel: 089 2554664
Email: [email protected]

Summer Madness 28th June – 2nd July

28th June-2nd July 2019. Glenarm Estate, Co Antrim. Cost: €100

Bookings are now open for this year’s Summer Madness festival. Summer Madness is a festival for young people, where you’ll hear brilliant biblical teaching, have space to encounter God and grow in your relationship with Him. Young people from across Ireland, across backgrounds and church denominations will be gathering together at glorious Glenarm to worship, celebrate, learn and grow. If you would like to join the yKEA Diocesan group at this year’s festival you will find all the details you need in the booking form here.

» Click Here to download Booking Form

 

Schools’ Services of Harvest Thanksgiving

Blessed are the pure in heart!

This week yKEA hosted two Schools’ Services of Harvest Thanksgiving. The first took place in Kilmore Cathedral and was attended by 450 pupils from national schools across the Diocese. The second service took place in Sligo Cathedral and was attended by more than 200 school children from the Dioceses of Elphin and Ardagh.

The yKEA team were joined by members of Crown Jesus Ministries for a service of songs, stories and puppets! In a riotous, musical performance, Crown Jesus ministries reminded us that we are to be people who are filled with humility and unselfish people who are pure in heart. A big challenge for Harvest time but a wonderful challenge as we remembered God’s love and goodness to us!

Damian Shorten appointed as KEA Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinator

This Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh has appointed Damian Shorten as the new Diocesan Youth and Children’s Co-ordinator for Elphin and Ardagh. The aim of this role is to support individual Parish groups and other Diocesan organisations as they nurture and foster Christian faith development in children and young people in the Diocese.

Talking about Damian’s appointment Bishop Ferran writes, “ Since we learned that Marian Edwards was leaving her role as one of our children and youth coordinators to take up a new position in Ballina over the summer, we have been praying and searching for someone to fill her shoes. I am delighted that Damian Shorten is to take up the role. Damian will continue to be the part-time lay pastor for the Riverstown Group of parishes and combine it with covering the Ardagh part of the diocese, working with schools and training and encouraging Sunday school leaders and Youth Leaders. Damian is well qualified for the role and I believe he is an answer to our prayers .”

Damian says: ‘I am delighted to have been given this opportunity of wider ministry in the Dioceses of Elphin & Ardagh. I look forward to working with leaders in our parishes, both ordained and lay, along with teachers, to encourage and support them in their vital work with the children and young people they have contact with. In all this, it is my hope that more and more children and teenagers come to trust in and live for the true God revealed in Jesus Christ, whom to know is eternal life and whom to serve is perfect freedom. Please do pray for me, my wife Amy, and son Arthur as we adjust to this new venture, and for the Spirit’s enabling to do it to God’s glory.’

We thank God for the valuable role that Damian will play in supporting youth and children’s ministry in Kilmore and Elphin and Ardagh and we pray that God will bless this ministry and build His Kingdom throughout our diocese.