Churches Invited to Celebrate Year of Young People

Tuesday September 26

^{The Moderators of the Church of Scotland General Assembly and Youth Assembly, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning and Robin Downie}

The Moderators of the General Assembly and National Youth Assembly of the Church of Scotland have appealed for churches to get involved in the 2018 Year of Young People.

The Year is a celebration of the contribution of young people in Scotland, announced by the Scottish Government and led by youth organisations Children in Scotland, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot.

Across 2018, activities will be based around the themes of culture, education, enterprise and regeneration, equality and discrimination, health and wellbeing, and participation. The themes were chosen following ‘an in-depth engagement process’ with young people in 2015 and 2016.

The church’s involvement began with an instruction from the 2016 General Assembly to Presbyteries and Sessions to participate in the Year ‘as an opportunity for the Kirk to engage with young people’.

All churches and Presbyteries are now being encouraged to explore what they might do and what they might celebrate with children and young people during the year. Churches are invited to sign a pledge to involve, include and celebrate children and young people and send this in and a Church Toolkit is being produced with ideas and resources.  Churches are invited to hold a Year of Young People Service on January 28. There will also be Presbytery and national events for children and young people and for leaders throughout the year.

The Moderator of the Church’s National Youth Assembly, Robin Downie, said: “ I have a dream for a church that makes the most of its young people, empowering its youth to have more of a say and influence on the church;  a church that challenges and inspires their youth; a church that recognises the value of young people within the body of Christ; a church which works towards more opportunities for intergenerational  work and conversations; a church which listens, respects and acts on the views of young people; a church which seeks to develop God-given gifts and callings within young people.

On behalf of the many young people within the Kirk, I would like^... to encourage churches to make the most of the opportunities of the Year of Young People; to get involved with talking with young people within  and beyond the church walls, engaging them in the life of the church and planning some special activities with them during this year.”

The Rt Rev Derek Browning, Moderator of the General Assembly added: “This is an amazing opportunity and we would like to encourage the participation of all local churches in Year of

Young People 2018 services and activities during 2018. Seize the moment God has given for our generation!”

More information on the Church’s involvement, including the Pledge form, is available at www.churchofscotland.org.uk/yoyp and the national Year of Young People website at http://yoyp2018.scot

Post Tags: year of young people

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