Youth Leaders Commissioned
Approximately 70 youth leaders from across the Diocese of Down and Dromore gathered in Belvoir Parish Church on Thursday 23rd October for an evening of encouragement, resourcing and commissioning.
In the absence of Andrew Brannigan, Diocesan Youth Officer, whose wife has just given birth to their third daughter, Down and Dromore Youth Council (DDYC) Chairman, the Revd Adrian Dorrian welcomed everyone to the evening which gave Bishop Harold the opportunity to affirm and commission the vitally important work that some 356 volunteer youth leaders undertake with 2826 young people in the diocese - through youth fellowships, youth clubs, drop-ins, summer programmes and mission trips.
The evening began with worship, which was led by Andrew Briggs and a Bible Reading from Acts 15:12-22, given by Katie Stevenson (from Dromore Cathedral and Magherally youth fellowship). Bishop Harold took time to address, encourage, praise and pray with those gathered, as well as speaking informally with everyone present over refreshments.
The youth council also aims to resource leaders and their young people and seminars were provided on Basic Skills in working with Groups (led by Dave Cavan, childrens' and youth ministry co-ordinator at St Columbanus', Ballyholme); Programme Planning Made Easy (led by Sharon Hamill from the Church of Ireland Youth Department and Laura Kenwell, childrens' and youth worker at Shankill Parish, Lurgan) and an update on new child protection regulations (led by David Brown from the Church of Ireland Youth Department). A pack of useful resources, including a book on Tried and Tested Youth Games (Compiled by Andrew Brannigan) and a CD-Rom with sample forms and talks for use with youth groups was made available to everyone present.