Children's & Youth Ministries
In the same way that the mature in years add wisdom and an experienced sense of perspective to the Church family, so children and young people add energy, life and a fresh sense of perspective to that same Church family.
Put simply, the Church family is better for the presence of the mature in years and the young. As the saying goes a church needs both Word and Spirit — too much Word and a church dries up, too much Spirit and a church blows, but with Word and Spirit a church grows up — so the same is true of a church needing the mature and the young. For a church to grow healthily, both numerically and spiritually, so that Church family needs the energy and wisdom of young and mature alike, so as to neither dry up and slowly die, nor blow up and fall apart.
The Benefice of Coniston and the Crake Valley are therefore committed to working with our Mission Community and our Partner Churches in spearheading and supporting Children’s and Youth ministries.
Mission Community Children’s & Family and Network Youth Workers
 |
Ulverston Parish Church (UPC), in the Furness peninsula market town of Ulverston, employs a part-time Youth Minister, (currently vacant) who is funded by UPC In addition, there is a full-time Network Youth Minister (currently vacant) funded by the diocese
The Furness Mission Community in partnership with UPC also employs a Children's and Families Worker, Emma Taplin, who is involved both at UPC and in young people's initiatives across the mission community. Naturally, these roles provide tremendous support for the young people at UPC and across the mission community. This ensures that schools, youth groups and other initiatives are given guidance, and local volunteers encouraged and trained to continue and develop this support.
South Lakeland Christian Trust
The South Lakeland Christian Trust (SLCT) was established to facilitate outreach to the children and youth of Coniston. This work was initiated, developed and solely provided by Coniston Christian Fellowship for many years, and proved to be a fruitful ministry.
 |
In recent years, Coniston Christian Fellowship have generously chosen to share this ministry ecumenically through Christians Together in Coniston (CTC) and the appointment of a Children, Youth & Community Worker (CYCW) managed by SLCT. The CYCW's role is to oversee the various children’s and youth groups, and other initiatives with volunteer support from the churches in Coniston.
Coniston Children, Youth & Community Worker Chris was appointed by the South Lakeland Christian Trust (SLCT) in June 2022 as the current Coniston Children, Youth 7 Community Worker to operate in the Coniston area. It is best that Chris introduces himself... Hello! My name is Chris Clark and I am the Children, Youth and Community Worker for Coniston through the Coniston churches. Since my mid-teens, I’ve lived and worked in rural areas, growing up in Northumberland, before becoming a youth worker in the Peak District, then just north of Penrith, and for the last twelve years in South East Cornwall. I’ve been involved in everything from outdoor village plays to assemblies and after-school clubs to cardboard boat races. I often seem to be the back end of the cow in our Christmas pantomimes … please do say hello if you see me around.
Open the Book
|
In 2019, Open the Book celebrated its 20th anniversary and has proved itself to be a very popular and successful venture. The idea is very simple, teams of Christians from local churches go into Primary schools to dramatize Bible stories for children in a fun and accessible way. The stories are based upon the Storyteller Bible stories and with a few props and a few costumes are brought to life.
Open the Book team
In March 2018, as part of the Moving Mountains mission organized by Carlisle Diocese, the two benefices in Coniston and the Crake Valley launched Open the Book in both of the Primary Schools and continues in Penny Bridge CE Academy.
Each Bible story drama is held during assembly or an act of collective worship, and takes 10-15 minutes. The team always ensure that roles are found for some of the children to join in — with costumes! The team always start with a child volunteer opening the Bible, and end with a reflection on the Bible story.
For more information about Open the Book then please do click on the video below or visit the Open the Book website.
Open the Book |
 |
Experience Easter
|
Every two years, Year 5 and 6 from Coniston CE Primary School or Penny Bridge CE Academy are invited to take part and "Experience Easter".
As part of Experience Easter, small groups of 3 or 4 children move around 5 stations, with each station explaining a part of the Easter story through an interactive visual display.
Station 1 — Hopes and Dreams, the story of Palm Sunday and the hopes and dreams of the people of Jesus the coming Messiah. Station 2 — Remember Me, the story of the Last Supper and breaking bread and sharing wine to remember his coming sacrifice. Station 3 — Servant King, the story of the Last Supper and Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Station 4 — Alone, the story of the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus praying alone. Station 5 — Sharing our Sorrows, the story of the Crucifixion and Jesus bearing our sin and wrongdoing.
Finally, the groups of children all gather for the final Station 6 — Resurrection, the story of Jesus conquering death and sin. |
 |
Experience Christmas
|
Every two years, Year 5 and 6 from Coniston CE Primary School or Penny Bridge CE Academy are invited to take part and "Experience Christmas".
As part of Experience Christmas, small groups of 3 or 4 children move around 5 stations, with each station explaining a part of the Christmas story through an interactive visual display.
Station 1 — The Preparation, the story of Advent and how we prepare our homes and our hearts for the birth of Jesus. Station 2 — The Announcement, the story of the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary to announce that she would give birth to God's Son, Jesus. Station 3 — The Promises, the story of the Wise Men and the promises of a Messiah. Station 4 — The Journey, the story of the Mary and Joseph travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Station 5 — The Message, the story of the Angels visiting the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.
Finally, the groups of children all gather for the final Station 6 — The Gift, the story of Jesus bringing light and hope into a dark world. |
 |
