Minister's Letter, July 2008 From Rev. Peter Mott

Dear All,

At the Parochial Church Council we have just had reports from Tim Roberts and Steve Grasham on their work with young people. Tim is paid from Deanery Devolved Funding to work in St. Mark’s and St. Andrew’s Parishes, and Steve now works across the Archdeaconry of Craven, supervising youth workers as well as doing some schools work in Keighley, and developing young peoples worship events: X:site for 8 – 11 year olds and Reality for 11 – 15 year olds. Last Friday CLiKS Trustees also appointed Alison Way to cover Emma Roberts’ maternity leave as schools worker.

It was really exciting to hear these reports, and to realise how many youth workers there are across the district. I was also impressed with all three candidates for the CLiKS post, who had all recently obtained a degree in Youth Ministry having decided to dedicate their lives to this. Christian youth work has totally changed since I was ordained in 1980. It is now a specialist ministry in its own right (although volunteers still do a great deal as well). The Churches really need to get their act together on funding, and forming a proper career structure for them.

In Keighley we are exceptionally well provided with youth workers. Do pray for them (not forgetting Amy Walters on the Circuit staff). They all work closely together. Steve Grasham made the point that the close cooperation between Churches in Keighley that has developed in the past few years began with youth work. I take all this as a real sign of hope for the future. Praise God.

Wishing you every blessing,