'We believe in the presence and potential of young people
at
the heart of church and community' St Albans Church Vision
Statement
Come
as you are! We welcome and work with any young people (school years
6-13):
regardless of reputation, status, size, gender,
sexuality, racial/cultural/ethnic classification, physical or
mental health, ability/disability, or faith
background. Come with friends if you like!
We don't: judge!
We do:
We want you to:
The aim of all our work is to build trusting relationships to facilitate:
We want all our environments to be safe, peaceful, creative and
stimulating spaces
where you feel you are welcome, you belong, and can pursue interests
and grow into your potential.
We
are proud to work with so many amazing young leaders! We don't
believe young people are just 'tomorrow's leaders': Every day
young people are not only being influenced but also speaking up,
making great decisions, supporting and influencing others!
We
partner with and empower young people to be bold, respectful
and discerning influencers.
We develop conflict resolution and
leadership skills, helping to promote and develop positive role
models, peace makers and leaders. Our Young Leaders Steering Group meet 4 times a year.
Thank
you to the Young Harrow Foundation (YHF) and Jack Petchey Foundation (JPF)
for helping us recognise and reward such service and leadership, and
congratulations to our 1st groups of young people to win JPF Achievement
Awards:
Abi, Carl, Eleanor, Grace, Josie, Millie, Rumaisah, Thomas, Sophie, Chloe, Ryan, Cameron, Eleanor !
We
are big believers in the value of both team and of great partnership. We
benefit hugely from a range of local and regional partnerships and
memberships, but are always keen to hear how we can work together to meet
particular needs for/with our young people.
We appreciate our close links with: Young Harrow Foundation, RiSE [Harrow Churches Youth Worker Network], Harrow Youth Collective, London Youth, the Ignite Trust, Buckingham Preparatory School, Re:Gen Harrow, and Scripture Union.
Good question! Churches do youth work because..
(1) we believe young people matter:
Jesus did not come just for older
people - nor did he come for 'religious' people:
He came
to love, serve & call everyone! He welcomed the young when others
sent them away.
So those following Jesus' example: welcome, help, involve, and
reach out to young people, too. We believe in the presence and potential
of young people at the heart of church & community. We are here
for all young people in the area - those of Christian faith, other
faiths, and no faith.
In a culture where young people learn our value lies
in how we look, perform, what we can offer, how quickly we are
willing to climb above others, the things we (either) have (or don't have);
we
have a different vision: of the innate value, dignity, and equality
of all young people,
of people mattering more than the things they
own, use or wear; and of life being lived out together
with people from every background - in respect of God, care of
creation, and service of others.
(2) we believe relationship with God matters:
In
the Bible in the Gospel of John, chapter 10 verse 10:
Jesus
said "I have come to bring you life - life in all its
fullness!"
- contrasting
this with what is "stolen away, killed and destroyed".
We love diversity, and respect people's choice on how they want to live their
life,
but we also recognise Harrow young people's concern with the current
high levels of
gang-related violence, bullying, sexual abuse,
domestic violence, and mental ill-health.
With this in mind..
We
are committed to see young people grow robust, helpful, successful
lives-to-the-full: