Day 1
CIYD Report – Investment in Youth Ministry Yields Vitality Energy and Growth
Where money and resources are committed to youth work, it can be seen to flourish. So said President of the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) Bishop Pat Storey, when she proposed the report of CIYD to members of General Synod today.
Bishop Storey acknowledged the challenges around youth ministry. She added that youth work was often taken for granted in parishes and dioceses while the staff and volunteers were giving their lives to ensure that the Church has a next generation to hand the faith to.
“Parishes that invest in youth workers, experience vitality, energy and growth. The diocese that invests in a diocesan youth officer can see little lights of faith burn around the parishes and schools therein. We must keep investing our time, our money, and our pastoral care into youth ministry, and those who perform it, whether salaried or a volunteer,” she stated.
As she prepares for retirement, the Bishop said she had been involved in CIYD for decades starting as a youth worker, then as a staff member and member of the executive and finally as its President. She thanked all the staff, diocesan youth officers, and youth volunteers around the island.
She outlined CIYD’s new three year strategy which is being launched at Synod and said it demonstrates the hope and vision carried by the staff.
The central thrust of the vision, she said, is: to engage, equip and empower the Church of Ireland, its youth leaders and its young people to grow in Christ, nurture lifelong faith, and sustained transformative youth ministry across the island of Ireland.
Bishop Storey expressed gratitude to the Allocations Committee and the Irish Government for the grants they provide to CIYD. She also thanked members of the executive and central board of CIYD.
Seconding the report, Hannah O Neill (Kilmore) observed that throughout Scripture God had shown a particular interest in young people. She said Bishop Storey, as President of CIYD, had reflected that.
“For over a decade, she has championed young people across this island, not as the Church of tomorrow, but as the Church of today. So Bishop Pat, as you finish up as President, we want to say thank you… As we look ahead to whoever will take up this role next, we pray that they too would carry that same heart for young people and passing on faith to the next generation,” she stated.
She reflected on the young people who are bringing energy, honesty, creativity, a deep hunger for God’s presence and a desire for faith–forming community throughout the Church. They had interacted in great numbers with CIYD over the past year and are shaping the future of the Church. Behind all this, she said, was the faithful work of CIYD and she thanked Simon Henry, Luke Hawkins and Barbara Swann for their commitment.
She concluded by asking if the Church of Ireland would continue to make room for young people and invest in them. By doing so she said the Church was not just sustaining worship and ministry but sharing in the heart of God for young people.
Speaking to the report Simon Henry (National Youth Officer and Down and Dromore) highlighted the launch of the new CIYD strategic plan which is available on their stand or can be downloaded from the website. They aim to equip, engage and empower and resource youth ministry. The plan was informed by hours of consultations with stakeholders across the island, he said thanking Luke Hawkins for his work on this. He said God is on the move on the island of Ireland and there is great youth engagement in every diocese. “It is and exciting and complicated time to be involved in youth ministry with the needs of young people rapidly changing,” he said. He thanked everyone who is dedicated to youth ministry and observed that CIYD relies on volunteers to deliver its mission. He paid tribute to Brigid Barrett and Edward Hardy for their support of CIYD staff. For a team of 2.5 people CIYD has achieved a huge output over the last year, he stated. Paying tribute to Bishop Pat in advance of her retirement, he thanked her for her dedication, her time and her energy. He said appreciated her unwavering support and her direct and honest approach.
Brigid Barrett (Glendalough and CIYD chairperson) thanked Bishop Pat for the many years of dedication to CIYD, her resilience and staying power, her sense of humour and support of staff. She highlighted her enthusiasm and wisdom wished her well in her retirement
Archdeacon Barry Forde (Connor), as a board member of Summer Madness, thanked CIYD for their support of the festival. Summer Madness has played an extraordinary role in the lives of many on the island of Ireland, he said. He honoured another retirement as at the end of the year John Kee will step down as director of Summer Madness after 40 years of being committed to serving the call to support the Church and its young people.
The report of CIYD was received.