Emma Pettifer was licensed in an uplifting service of music and celebration yesterday.  Lots of children turned out to wish Emma well (clearly already a very popular figure) as she was officially launched in her new role by the Bishop of Worcester at St Stephen’s Church, Worcester.  The afternoon was totally fun-filled, designed with children in mind, who were invited to learn to drum, make streamers, have their faces painted and wear themselves out on the bouncy castle, before being entertained by great music and the bishop’s charming puppetry, during the service.

Emma has been hard at work since March, brining the joy of her own licensing service to churches in the diocese.  She, along with the Education team from the diocese, work along side parishes supporting churches, schools and colleges, to enable faith development in children and young people. The diocese believes that it is crucial that children are included within the worshipping life of the church. It is not sufficient to find creative ways of occupying children while the worship carries on around them. The department believes that in order for children to be nurtured and encouraged in their own faith then they need to be actively involved and engaged within the liturgy – and Emma is on hand to help with that..

Emma said ‘I am really pleased to be working amongst the children of this diocese, helping them on their journey of faith, and having lots of fun along the way.’

David Morphy, Diocesan Director of Education said, “We are delighted to have Emma as a member of our team. She has already made a huge contribution to Children’s work in parishes. Emma is able to support both parishes and our church primary schools in developing their children’s work and in engaging children in worship.”

Emma will be organising Christmas services, nativity plays and workshops at the end of October and early November – check out the website for further information.

http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/work_of_the_diocese/DptChildrenYouthEducation.php

ENDS.

Issued by Rachel Edwards, Acting Press Officer for the Diocese of Worcester and the Bishop of Worcester

Email: redwards@cofe-worcester.org.uk

Tel: 07852 302516

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.

Diocesan Office, The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester WR1 2JE

Tel: 01905 20537   Fax: 01905 612302