A Church for All Seasons

A Church for All Seasons


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Published: 12 November 2009

Around 250 children and adults celebrated Year of the Child at Manchester Cathedral with a rolling programme of fun activities reflecting the diverse ministries that tale place across the diocese. These included vestment workshop, craft, Godly Play; Vision Wall, Breathe reflections, puppets, drama, music and poetry looked at different parts of the church year.

The talents of the Cathedral Education Officer, Pam Elliot, Manchester’s Rhema Theatre, and Popconnection, alongside North West based Coverdale Puppets and poet Jan Dean made this a memorable occasion. ‘Home grown’ talent, in the shape of some of our own children’s ministry volunteers, devised and ran the craft activities, staffed the Vision Wall, and led Godly Play. And more than 30 enthusiastic volunteers stewarded the day. Children from three ‘Child Friendly Church Award’ parishes met with senior staff during the day to work on Bishop Nigel’s diocesan aims: that communities be served, congregations grow, and giving increase.

The day closed with a celebration act of worship featuring contributions from various institutions and organisations that work with children in the diocese – Church Schools, Guides, Sunday Schools, Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, and the Cathedral Choir. The St James and Emmanuel Youth Band led the singing and 150 people saw 60 volunteers receive the new Bishop’s Certificate in Children’s Ministry, level 1, and a further 12 receive level 2 of the Certificate from the Bishop of Middleton.

Children’s Officer, Steve Dixon, commented, ‘It was a tremendous encouragement to see so many adults united in their efforts to support, promote and sustain the Church’s ministry amongst children in this diocese. But the greatest satisfaction was to see the Cathedral alive with children having fun. A fantastic celebration of the Year of the Child."


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