The United Reformed Church is always looking for new ways of being church both locally and nationally. This year it intends to invite children to General Assembly for the very first time, and as a synod we are preparing to take some youngsters to this event in July.
How do you prepare young people for such a trip?
We began with a group of interested youngsters aged 9-14 years, who arrived at Benton to spend an afternoon Face 2 Face.
Face 2 Face offered all who attended an opportunity to debate: not to listen or read from a book or use the words of others, but to give their own thoughts and views on a range of issues.
As an icebreaker the question was raised "Is there a correct way to peel a banana?" This was followed by "Is it fair that we waste food while children in other countries starve?" Other questions included "What’s the furthest you have travelled, and why?"
And a rousing end to the afternoon asked "Should girls and boys be treated the same?"
The material used was associated with Christian Aid. If you want to know more about what the youngsters got up to, then why not ask them? Or there will be more sharing at Synod in October.
For those young folk who may attend General Assembly, the intention is that we shall engage with the adults for some of the time, but that there will also be a parallel programme. Plans include games, art and craft, and visits too - and since Face 2 Face and there is a keen interest among this age group in our Synod.
Hannah Middleton