I wonder if like me you were able to join the youth-led service last Sunday evening. It was such a joy to join in worship led by our young people and learn from them, how they have used different approaches to develop their prayer life. Likewise, it is such a joy at the 11am service to see an increasing number of children join Rosie to learn about Jesus’ love for them through different activities. As a church we are blessed by Rosie and Cam’s dedication and enthusiasm for sharing the gospel with the children and young people in our church family. We are also blessed by their commitment to safeguarding our children and young people. As well as completing safeguarding leadership training themselves, I work with them to ensure that all our volunteers who help out with children and youth activities have also completed safeguarding training and have a clear DBS check. This means that we are well placed to create a welcoming and safe environment for all our children and young people.
So may I extend a big ‘thank you’ to our many volunteers who play such a vital part in our children and youth ministry. Your commitment to safeguarding is a wonderful blessing to our church family.
In Proverbs 31:8, we are encouraged to ‘speak up for those whose voices are not heard’. So I would like to invite anyone who has a question or a concern about safeguarding our children and young people to speak to Rosie, Cam or myself. As a church family, we all have a part to play in ensuring that our church is a safe place for all.
And if you didn’t make last Sunday’s youth service, do think about coming along next month. I think you will be encouraged in your faith as you witness the enthusiasm of our young people leading our worship.
Kate Gerrish, Parish Safeguarding Officer