Last weekend, four different groups of parishes gatheredtogether to become the second Calling Young Disciples (CYD) Hub. All ofthe parishes are currently working with Mission Enablers and came together toshare ideas and experiences as well as receive inspiration and encouragementfrom a wider group of people. Parishes involved were Norton and Wollaston,Gornal and Sedgley, Claines, St George and St Stephen from North Worcester and Lyeand Stambermill.
The Hub will meet together over the next two and a halfyears and includes influential lay leaders and clergy from each of the churchesinvolved as well as the Mission Enablers and other members of the Calling YoungDisciples Team. Each two-day session is led by CPAS Leadership Specialist, PamMacnaughton.
Director of Calling Young Disciples, Ruth Walker, said:This is our second CYD Hub. Weve found its worked well to bring peopletogether from across the Diocese to hear what is happening in differentchurches and share ideas. In the first session, churches look at the journeytheyve made with children and young people to this point as well as thechanges that have taken place in society. At the end of the two days they willgo away with a plan for their parishes, which they will report back on at thenext session. Its quite a commitment for the parishes involved, but definitelyworthwhile.
John Nicholson came to the Hub from Norton Church inStourbridge. He said: Ive really loved it! Theres a great sense of communityin the room and our ages range from 20 to 70 years old. Were all here for thesame reason, to reach out to more children and young people and to make a difference.
The Revd Paula Honniball is the curate at Claines and StGeorges Churches in Worcester. She said: Its been really interesting to hearwhat others have done and also good for us to come together as a church. Whenwe looked at our journeys, there seemed to be a similar pattern with lots ofactivities for children and young people and then everything stopping at thechildren grow up. I really feel as if we are on the edge of something reallyexciting.
Following the meeting, one member of the team from Norton andWollaston were inspired to write an acrostic poem about Calling YoungDisciples:
CYD is what wecall it
And it is comingto us here
Let me tell youjust a little bit
Look how close wecan be near.
If you listenwith your heart
Not just yourmind and ears,
Getting involvedand taking part,
You can banishany fears.
Only you can takethe steps
Under no pressureat all
Nobody will decryyou.
Go forward andanswer the call
Disciples are allour children.
In them ourfuture lies
So letsencourage all our youngsters
Call them soeveryone tries.
If you want to beinvolved
Perhaps you cansupport our hub.
Let your minds beopen
Enjoy ourunexclusive club!
So, go on! Askus!
