Conversations On… (Training Opportunities)

Our 'Conversations On...' sessions are an opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for working with children and young people.  As we gather online, we'll learn from each other, share ideas and experiences, and discover practical tools and fresh perspectives to support and strengthen our ministry together. 

Intergenerational Communities

Tuesday 29th Sep, 7:30-8:30pm 

Church is one of the few places where all ages gather together, which can be both a blessing and a challenge!  How wonderful to have a community with different ages encouraging and learning from one another.  But how do we build a community that is truly ‘intergenerational’?  Where all ages are valued, discipled, and encouraged as one body?  Join our ‘Conversations on Intergenerational Communities’ evening and discuss with other Methodist churches and communities about how we can be intentional in building intergenerational communities. 

School Assemblies

Fri 9th Oct, 10-11am 

It is such a privilege to be invited to share in a school assembly.  But it can also be a little daunting, especially when schools are full of a mix of ages, abilities, and ideologies.  So how do we ensure that assemblies are an inclusive and encouraging space?  Anita Gracie will share her advice in light of the changes to the NI Religious Education syllabus, and we’ll chat together about our experiences and ideas.  Let’s learn and share together! 

Special Educational Needs

Thurs 5th Nov, 7:30-8:30pm 

We are blessed to live in a world with such a range of beautiful personalities and abilities.  We recognise that people engage with God and Church in different ways, and this might require us to adapt our programmes and structures so that all children and young people are included.  This Conversation on Special Educational Needs (SEN) will be an opportunity to discuss what we have learnt from our contexts and to share ideas. 

Clarity and Focus: Discerning the ‘what and how?’ in our ministry with children and young people

Tues 24th Nov, 7:30-8:30pm 

One challenge we have witnessed across our Connexion is focus.  We can so easily try to do everything, and when that happens our resources are spread too thin.  Every society can want to do everything.  We need the courage to ask where we should focus, what we might stop doing in order to release capacity for something new, and where we might work together across circuits and regions for greater impact?