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Children's Work

Making Children and Young People Count 

2009 is the 30th anniversary of the United Nations' International Year of the Child. It’s also the year in which the Good Childhood Inquiry will present its findings. Churches around the country are marking 2009 by adopting it as a year of celebration of children and childhood. It an opportunity to:

  • review our work with children and young people.
  • celebrate their contribution in the life of the Church and of wider society.
  • Challenge the Church to fresh vision and expression, inspired by the spirit of the child.

It is an opportunity to make 2009 a year in which the issues, injustices and challenges facing young people today can be highlighted.  It gives chances for work with children and young people to be celebrated and to facilitate new initiatives with, for and by young people.  It offers many strategic possibilities not just for celebrating, but also lasting change and growth. 

Year of the Child 2009 grew from the vision of three Anglican Children’s Work Advisers. It’s neither a prescriptive project nor a centrally driven programme. Rather it offers a framework for churches of any denomination to mark this important anniversary.

Year of the Child 2009 is supported by Dioceses across the country who will be offering a variety of events and opportunities for churches to get involved. Additionally there is a website which offers a downloadable starter pack of ideas.

http://www.yearofthechild2009.org.uk

 

 

 

 

Thank God for children's work!

Child's drawing of Christ on cross

Does your Church encourage children to express their theology like the child who drew this picture? In other words, does it:

  • take children seriously?
  • recognize their gifts and ministries?
  • nurture their spirituality, or just feed them Bible stories?
  • see them as equal partners with adults on the journey of faith?

Children have their own particular gifts and ministries. Does your church provide an arena for them to use their gifts and develop their ministries?

 

Sharing the Good News with Children - the Children's Strategy for the Church of England, endorsed by General Synod in July 2003 has four Key Areas.

 

Key Area 1:    Worship and the Nurture of Children

Key Area 2:    Evangelism among Children

Key Area 3:    Supporting Ministry among Children

Key Area 4:    Training for Ministry among Children

 

If your church is concerned about any area of children's work, use the links below to find out more about the help that is available:

Child protection

Whatever the format of a church's children's work, it is important that child protection guidelines and good practice are implemented at all levels. This belief resulted in the House of Bishops' Policy on Child Protection, called "Protecting All God's Children", available from Church House Bookshop.

The regulations are in place to protect not only children and young people, but also those adults who are committed to working with and for them.

If you are not sure what you should be doing, or you would like further advice and help, then contact your Diocesan Office or Pearl Luxon, Child Protection Officer at the NCIs.

Children and Holy Communion

In November 1996, after many years of debates, reports and experimentation, the General Synod of the Church of England accepted the House of Bishops’ Guidelines on the Admission of Baptized Persons to Holy Communion before Confirmation – which of course included children.

In February 2006, The General Synod formally approved the Children and Holy Communion Regulations, which supersede these Guidelines. The Regulations come into force on 15 June 2006, the Feast of Corpus Christi.

For many parishes, the traditional pattern of baptism, confirmation and first communion remains the norm, but the numbers who admit children after baptism are growing.

Further information can be obtained from Mary Hawes or any diocesan Children's Work Adviser. The Regulations referred to above and Children and Holy Communion are both available from Church House Publishing.

For information on any of the above subjects, contact:

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2001