Our new youth worker – an introduction from Emma
We were delighted that our new Youth Worker, Liz Brown, was commissioned by the Bishop of Edmonton to start work at HPC on Advent Sunday. Liz’s job specification asks her “to co-ordinate our existing children’s activities and education, and to expand and develop our provision for teenagers.” We are immensely fortunate as a church to have a considerable number of committed and experienced volunteers who work with our Sunday Schools and children’s activities, but in recruiting a professional Youth Worker, we were seeking someone who could draw these activities together into a co-ordinated programme as our ministry to children and young people grows.
Liz has already visited all our Sunday School groups, the creche, the Junior Choir and Holy Hamsters, and played an important part in co-ordinating the Christmas Activity Day and the Epiphany event and service. In the months ahead, she will be hoping to draw up a co-ordinated programme for us, and also to initiate some events particularly for those of secondary school age. In her article below, she will introduce herself to you, and as she says, she looks forward to receiving ideas and feedback on our ministry to children and young people.
From Liz…….
Time for you to meet your new youth worker – Liz Brown. To help you all to get to know me a bit better and to hear about some of the exciting things that lie ahead for St John’s as a church in terms of your children and young peoples work, please do read on…..
I’m 25, a twin and luckily for you all, you only have to deal with one of us! I studied Religious Studies at Canterbury Christchurch University and since graduating I have been involved in church work, both in an established London parish, and a brand new church, on a new estate in Essex. I love the Church of England with all its quirks, rituals and traditions.
I enjoy formal liturgical worship, but also enjoy new experimental church events. I enjoy working with children on things like Messy Church (a fresh expression of ministry to children sponsored by the Bible Reading Fellowship) and see that as a stepping stone to them understanding worship when we gather as the whole body of Christ.
I help with the Goth Eucharist as a monthly event within the Chelmsford diocese. You may like to ask me about it or send any Goths you know my way! Now to say a little about my faith journey and how I hope it will help with understanding how the children’s work at St John’s can develop.
I have had an interesting journey of faith. I became a practising Christian when I was 16, converting to the Catholic faith; I took a detour with the Pentecostals as a student before falling in love with the Church of England through my college chapel, which lead me to be able to read and serve in Canterbury Cathedral during my time at university while working for the Chaplaincy team. This is also why I have had some interesting encounters with various Bishops and Archbishops, especially as a result of working as a youth steward at the last Lambeth Conference.
Outside of church, I enjoy concerts, musical theatre, travelling and enjoy company over good coffee or wine! I read a lot, and I am always pleased to talk to other Kindle users. Some of you may have noticed I’m a little unconventional, I do love the eccentric and creative side of life.
I am very excited to have the opportunity to join your community but, more than that, your church family. What you already have in terms of your children ministry is very impressive. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you, to the dedicated volunteers that help with children as well as to the wider congregation who play the very important role of praying for the children and the work that is done with them. I ask you for your prayers to continue at this very exciting time for St John’s.
I look forward to getting to know you all better and to seeing your children grow in faith and in all aspects of their lives, while at the same time all of us develop our understanding of how we might work together across the age spectrum. As a final point I would really like to hear from you, whether you have children, or not, I want to hear your opinions and ideas for the children’s work at St John’s so talk to me, email me, call me!
Liz Brown
Youth Worker