“We can learn so much from younger people. It’s a very two-way thing. It’s not just us providing and giving information and teaching and nurturing. It’s definitely a partnership in spiritual growth.”
Working in Children, Young People and Families Ministry (CYFM) can involve everything from storytelling and craft activities to pastoral support, school partnerships, helping families feel at home in church and providing opportunities to grow in faith. Yet much of this work often happens quietly, behind the scenes.
That is why RECOGNISE, a national week celebrating everyone involved in ministry with children, young people and families, matters so much. Taking place from 6 to 12 July, the initiative aims to shine a light on the people who dedicate their time and care to nurturing faith in younger generations. Churches across the country will be joining in a shared moment of gratitude for the people who help children and families grow in faith and be welcomed into the life of the Church.
This year, Rachel Laughton, Children and Families Worker at Hempsted, has been nominated to represent the diocese at a special RECOGNISE celebration at Lambeth Palace. She has worked in her role for five and a half years.
“When I work with children and young people, I try and make anything I do as child-centred as possible and make sure they feel listened to. It’s important they have opportunities to express themselves and for them to know and feel that what they do is valued. There’s a lot of pressure on children and young people in today’s world. Social media and body image is a big challenge. Exams are pressurising and then having to think about further education and the workplace. I think they’re all huge pressures.
Rachel’s work takes place across church activities such as Messy Church and Godly Play, and a local primary school partnership. She meets children where they are, builds relationships over time, and creates some consistency between church and school life. Rachel’s role also enables church links with the community, for example through weekly Stay and play sessions for parents and toddlers.
“I find it a real privilege when children share things with you. Seeing those God-connected moments from engagement in an activity, to talking about a Bible story, it’s rewarding seeing spirituality in a child and the child expressing it to you,” Rachel said.
RECOGNISE is an important opportunity to acknowledge the breadth and depth of children and families ministry across the Church: “In CYFM, there’s a broad remit of roles and in many of those you are representing the church in the community, which is a big responsibility,” Rachel said.
It is also a chance for churches to reflect on how they make children and families feel welcome.
“I am passionate about CYFM being integrated into church holistically. I think children and families should be the default setting for church services in terms of some accessible songs, liturgy and reflection. Families who are newer to church need to be able to feel comfortable and included.
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