26,000 young people are involved in regular youth work with the Church of Ireland, according to a survey launched today. The all-Ireland survey commissioned by the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) entitled, An Audit Report of Youth Work in the Church of Ireland, reveals that 26,000 aged between 11 and 25 are actively involved in the Church of Ireland’s youth work on a weekly basis, supported by a further 3,000 adults.
The work encompasses a range of youth initiatives, from work with immigrant young people to the organisation of youth clubs, and from running Silver Bands to undertaking faith development programmes.
The report is launched at Stormont today by Rev Abernethy, President of the Youth Department.
Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, will launch the document in Dublin on Friday, in the presence of the Church of Ireland Primate, Most Revd Alan Harper.
According to David Gardiner from DSG Consultancy which conducted the survey, this most extensive survey of youth work demonstrates the Church of Ireland’s “commitment to the strategic support of youth workers and youth work across the entire Church, and to accurate reporting to stakeholders.”
Pointing to the 26,000 young people and 3,000 adult supporters engaged in the work, he said it was “making a substantial contribution to Irish society.”
A further 17,500 young people are engaged annually at a diocesan level.
While the full number of young people involved in youth work in the Catholic Church has not been compiled, one agency, CYC (Catholic Youth Care) has about 20,000 young people involved in youth groups, clubs and services in the Dublin area, supported by about 1,200 volunteers.
CYC Development Officer, Robert Samson, told ciNews that the organisation tries to inculcate Catholic values through these groups.
“We give them the ethos of the Catholic Church: to be ‘caring, compassionate and Christian’ so as to enable young people to participate fully in the life of society and of the Church.”
Two months ago, around 550 young people aged between 14 and 16 were involved in the Emmanuel Project.
This initiative, organised by CYC and the Pro Cathedral, brings children together to teach them Gospel songs, which they then perform at the Helix theatre.
An integral part of the project is a two day period of formation and retreat, where the children learn that it is not just a matter of singing at the concert, “they have to be the ones giving the Gospel to people through their songs,” said Mr Samson.
Last month the Catholic Church launched a framework document for youth ministry in Ireland, which promotes a partnership model of youth ministry involving parents, schools, parishes, youth organizations, dioceses and the wider community all working together for the good of Irish young people.
This is the beginning of a new process, said Bishop Donal McKeown at the launch of Called Together: Making a Difference. “ What we want to have now is an ongoing and structured conversation about how to be a evangelising and youth friendly church in modern Ireland. “
The document, which took 20 months to complete, proposes 8 subjects that youth ministers should focus on: Advocacy for those in need, Justice and Service, Community Life, Evangelisation, Catechesis, Leadership development, Pastoral care, Prayer and Worship.
“A good balance of the eight elements is highly recommended,” it says.
“Before the dioceses had different ways of working with young people. Now there is a unified approach,” Kate Acton, Armagh Diocesan Youth Director told ciNews.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Source (CIN)
SV (2)