Arriving in Northumberland to the most glorious sunshine, I was looking forward to the theme of our time together, ‘Working Together: Smarter Not Harder’. CMN represents and achieves many good things through working together and I know we are all keen to see how we can develop this further.
During our time together each denomination and organisation had a slot to share an update. Hearing about the joys, challenges and new initiatives from everyone reminded us that our heart is mission. It helps us to pray, learn and share resources together. We also had time built in for our working parties to meet.
Our first input was from Catherine Simpson, Educational Chaplaincy Enabler, Diocese of Durham. Working with our schools is to be encouraged in the small and the big ways. Shared models of funding for chaplaincy roles, the value of education, journeying with both the children and the teachers, and churches supporting schools were all points that Catherine guided us through. Her enthusiasm shone through as she encouraged us to reflect on the significance of our own school memories.
The next day our first session was presented by two leaders of Hexham Holiday Club. This began over 50 years ago and is now a wonderful story of a summer holiday club, and a year long calendar of events supported in a variety of ways by every church in Hexham. The outreach to the town, the development of young leaders and the family follow-up to this event is remarkable. This project has grown over the years into churches and the Bible Society working together, and perhaps its greatest witness is the unity it displays, in spite of the variety of theological views and traditions held by the different churches. In the afternoon we were able to visit Hexham Abbey and met with the Community Outreach Lead and Rector there. They spoke of the desire to honour the past of this remarkable building in the centre of this market town, whilst moving forward where God is leading to serve their community. Toddler Praise, the chorister pathways, school visits and the welcoming space provided were just examples of this in action. The theme of unity through schools, churches and community working together were naturally woven through all we heard. Clearly the geography of the town plays into some of these strengths, but it was inspiring to hear the stories of Hexham and the practicalities that we could all draw from this.
On our final day we focused on understanding how we and individuals work similarly and differently to one another, and how the recognition of this (or lack of!) can impact ministry. Peter (Church of Ireland) shared with us his PHD research on the dominant types of children and youth leaders, and the contrast this is with the general population, and therefore the children in the groups. Although we are all familiar with personality types, this is often used in a team settings and applying it to look at children’s and youth leaders was a helpful and interesting insight.
As part of Churches Together in Britain & Ireland, at our CMN business meeting we are reminded of the work that comes out of our Network Conferences. The Children’s Essentials and Family & Intergen Essentials Training (that is close to completion!), Intergenerate UK, School Visit Project, our website and our history with European Conference on Christian Education which is online this June and will meet in person in Geneva in June 2026.
As we have so much to take back to our varied settings, I look forward to returning to our next CMN Conference at Shallowford House in the autumn to look at the growing and essential topic of fostering and children in care, and the role of the church.
Children’s Ministry Network 