Year round youth ministry training and retreat opportunities for volunteer youth leaders, youth workers and clergy.

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PAST EVENTS - FEEDBACK

SCHOOLS WORK      
40+ youth workers gathered together to hear how youth work can complement the school's curriculum. Faith based agencies from across NI facilitated workshops on various topics that can be addressed in the school setting.
Many thanks to Youth for Christ, Scripture Union, Crown Jesus Ministries and Love for Life for their input, sharing ideas and resources that can be used in the classroom.

The revised curriculum opens opportunities for youth workers as they explore the possibilities of being involved in schools work. Sincere thanks to Bill Latimer [RE Advisor to BELB] who joined us for part of the day, to explain the school's curriculum, highlighting resources that youth workers can access to help them deliver in the school setting.

For more info:-
All the documents related to the Northern Ireland Curriculum are online @: http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/

See below are contact details from agencies who delivered:-
ANITA | SCRIPTURE UNION
anita@suni.co.uk
STEVIE P | YOUTH FOR CHRIST
Stephen@yfcni.org
GRAHAM | LOVE FOR LIFE
graham@loveforlife.org.uk
STEVE | CROWN JESUS MINISTRIES
steven@crownjesus.org
BILL LATIMER
Adviser CASS | BELB
Phone: 028 90564042

As part of CIYD ‘CONNECT' programme a vibrant wee group of us [14 youth workers/diocesan youth officers] travelled from Ireland to YOUTHWORK CONFERENCE Eastbourne. This is annual event which hosts up to 1000-2000 participants - representing youth workers all across UK and Ireland.

The overall theme of the conference for 2009 was ‘transform - knowing the word - knowing the world'
The theme opened up great opportunity for discussion, allowing the conference to provide space to learn, reflect, share and to be challenged how we ourselves can be ‘transformed' in our journey of faith and also in our youth work-ministry.

We had the chance to hear from a variety of speakers and contributors in Pete Greig [24/7 prayer], Jason Gardner [LICC], Andy Hawthorne [The Eden Project/ The Message], Rachel Gardner [ROMANCE ACADEMY], Jill Garret, Ruth Hassel [CPAS], Mike Pilovachi [SOUL SURVIVOR] and Jim Wallis [best selling author, public theologian and international commentator on ethics and public life].

Not only was there the chance to engage in good teaching and to worship corporately but there were many many different agencies representing themselves. This meant there was ample opportunity to network, avail of new resources and to get hold of any many ‘freebies' as you could!!!

Well worth visiting .... challenging....thought provoking....affirming....encouraging......

ROME 09

'Bishop Richard was inspiring with what he said and how he said it - very conversational and relational'

I feel recharged, enthused and inspired'

'Relaxing thought provoking and just amazing time in incredible beauty - being in fellowship'

'Loved it - the space, the place the company the chat - truly memorable, Bishop Richard's wisdom, humility and teaching was very valuable'

The CONNECT trip to Rome enabled youth workers to take the time to be among others who were like minded travelling along a similar journey  and who need to take rest, while offering the the chance to pause, think, learn, explore and encourage one another.

Our annual retreat took a slightly different view, focusing on giving youth workers the opportunity to 'get away', escape and intentionally find protected time with God.  Space was available to listen to God, explore their relationship with him and be affirmed in who they are called to be.  Alongside the opportunity for retreat was space to walk the historic streets of Rome; seeing places where Paul and Peter once stood speaking with great enthusiasm about the good news, entering the prison where they were both imprisioned, we acknowledged the sacrifice they made for their faith.  It was a truly challenging and moving experience.

Bishop Richard was inspiring.  He walked us through scripture, reminding us of how when we are away from familiar surroundings, God often speaks to us through His word and through others.  Bishop Richard took time to intently hear from others to respond with wisdom into issues brought up and offer sound advice where needed.

Being away with the 'workers' brought blessings on many levels.  Watching them engage deeply with Bishop Richard's teaching, observing them take time to seek God, seeing first hand a few taking time with each other to share and minister - all were humbling experiences.  The 'banter' and chat among all was mighty which enabled new friendships to form among us.

There is so much to thank God for, His provision, protection and ultimately His invitation to us to walk with Him in life's journey.