The URC Children and Youth Friendly Church plaque awarded to St Andrew’s.

The award of the plaque and certificate follows six months of meetings and discussions held by a group of St Andrew’s Junior Church Leaders, elders and a youth representative. They were accompanied by the Synod Children and Youth Development Officer, Richard Knott, who recorded the meetings so Hannah Holmes could write up the notes at the Synod Office. Hannah reported how much she enjoyed listening to the discussions! The Group worked their way through a series of questions enabling them to identify what the church is doing already and what more they could do to fully welcome and engage children and young people in the life and witness of the church. They also explored ways in which the church could reach out to children and young people in the local community, such as groups meeting in the church hall and contact with local schools.

As a result of the meetings some new developments have been introduced, including a children’s corner in the church with activities and books particularly to keep younger children happy, continuing to involve children and young people in worship and to take part in communion services, and starting a monthly after school messy church on Monday afternoons which is proving popular.

The group will meet again in the New Year to reflect on progress and agree the next steps the church could take.