Retreat for youth workers

Bookings are open for URC Children's Workers Conference, taking place from 1-3 November. The conference will be a mix of retreat, networking, worship, training and a chance to explore a range of resources from various providers. The conference will take place at Ripon College in Cuddesdon near Oxford and costs £150 per person. Bookings for day visitors cost £35 per day. Learn more about the conference and book your place. For all queries, please email Lorraine Webb.

URC Children's Workers Together

Exploring how we work with children together

FRIDAY PROGRAMME

• 5pm Arrivals in time for dinner
• 6pm Dinner
• 7pm Welcome and worship
• 7:30 Session One : Interactive getting to know you session
• 8:30 Free time / late-night programme offered (board games, jigsaw etc)
• 10 pm Bedtime story

SATURDAY PROGRAMME

• 8:30 Breakfast
• 9:30 Worship and Keynote
• 10:30 Coffee
• 11am Small groups – to discuss the keynote content
• 11:30 Session Two – Workshops (see attached list)
• 12:30 Lunch.
• 1:30 Session Three - Workshops
• 2:30 Break – explore the marketplace and bookstalls.
• 3pm Session Four: Exploring Seasonal resources and ideas.
• 4:30 Small Focussed Group
• 5:30 Break
• 6pm Dinner
• 7:15 Family Film night experience
• 9:15 Free time, Bedtime story

SUNDAY PROGRAMME

• 8:30 Breakfast
• 9:30 Keynote and small groups
• 10:30 Coffee
• 11am Ask the panel.
• 11:30 Worship – Brick Church
• 12:30 Lunch and leave

PROPOSED WORKSHOP OPTIONS

• Child Participation : How do we enable children to participate fully including having their voice heard in our planning, evaluation and within the sessions
• Intergenerational ministry: Theology of intergenerational discipleship and how we develop it in our churches
• Storytelling: We are story based disciples. How do we share our stories intergenerationally and use stories in our ministry to support spirituality?
• Music in ministry: From Psalms to contemporary music, how do we use music within our sessions to enable children to explore and respond to God.

EXPLORING SEASONS OPTIONS

• Seasons of life: marking transitions, Baptisms (infant and adult) and communion
• Outdoor church: How can we use the outdoors for our worship through the seasons of the year?
• Seasons of the Christian calendar: how can we celebrate how can we celebrate these with children, especially the less common ones such as Pentecost and Ascension?
• Difficult seasons of life: How do we support children through the potential difficult times such as grief and loss, Mothers’ Day etc