Children’s and Youth Work Committee 

Who we are and what we do.   

Definition 

To support, encourage and enable work with Children and Young People across North Western Synod alongside and through the work of the Children and Youth Development Officer (CYDO) and to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and acknowledged throughout the structures and churches of the Synod. 

History 

After lapsing some years ago, the Children’s and Youth Work Committee is now restored to support, encourage and direct work across North Western Synod. 

Role 

Generally to: 

  • Agree priorities & strategy for supporting children’s and youth work in churches across the Synod. 

  • Support and provide direction to the Children and Youth Development Officer (CYDO) 

  • Provide an opportunity for the views of children and young people and those who work with them on behalf of local churches to be heard, understood, represented to the Synod and acted upon appropriately. 

Specifically to: 

  • Enable and encourage communication and networking between children and youth workers across the Synod 

  • Helping children and young people across the Synod to engage, meet and interact 

  • Initiate, oversee and support Synod youth and children’s work events. 

  • Provide training, support, information about resources, for people working with children and young people. 

  • Encourage and nominate young people to be involved in Synod decision making bodies (e.g. Synod meetings) and to represent North Western Synod at Assembly level (e.g. URC Youth Assembly and Children’s Assembly). 

  • Encourage the training and support of children and young people, in both personal development and participation in the structures of the church. 

  • Encourage Ministers and local churches to develop links and create opportunities for young adults and children to be included in initiatives within the church and the community served by the church, Missional Partnerships and Synod.

  • Encourage and support churches across the Synod to become ‘Children and Youth Friendly’ churches. 

  • Work with local churches to support them in reaching out into the community and engage children and young people in activities 

  • Represent the interests of children and young people at Synod Executive 

Membership 

Membership is for an initial term of 3 years 

The following permanent members of the Committee are: 

Convenor: Leo Roberts

CYDO  

Pilots Representative

Synod Youth Work Representative

NW Synod Youth Executive

NW Synod Youth Executive Rep elect

Church Youth Work Representative

Church Children’s Work Representative

SCM  

CRCW  

Employed Church Youth Worker

Church and Community Youth Worker  

In attendance: 

Moderator Revd:

Synod Clerk

It is envisaged that where a specific area of expertise is required, an individual with such expertise would be invited to join the Committee for the appropriate period. 

Meetings 

The Committee expects to meet not less than once every two months, but will meet more frequently should circumstances require. The meetings to be held as Hybrid/Zoom meetings on a weekday evening. Meetings opened more widely to those interested in Children and Youth Work may be held during the year.

Contact this Committee