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Engaging with children and young people event,
15 July | A Summary of the morning

On Saturday morning, 15 July 2023, twenty-seven people
representing six congregations attended The Wave Youth and
Children’s Ministry’s (The Wave) meeting to discuss and reflect on
Berno Vierbergen’s (Anglican Youth Minister) report on the local
Church’s engagement with children and young people, and The
Wave’s role within the local Church. The report developed following
Berno’s visits to eight local congregations during the first quarter of
2023 where he explored what shapes each congregation’s view on
engaging with the younger generations and how they understood
The Wave’s role within the local Church. Six of those in attendance
were also trustees of The Wave.

The aim on the Saturday morning was for congregations to reflect
on the findings from the research represented in the report, and to
discuss how it related to each congregation’s experience regarding
engaging with children and young people in the community. It was
also an occasion to clarify The Wave’s remit within the local church
regarding the spiritual development of children and young people,
and how The Wave Team’s capacity to do this related to the local
Church.

Throughout the morning people sat in their respective congrega-
tions. Berno presented on the four sections of the report which are:
1. Our connection with children and young people
2. Children and young people’s spiritual contribution
3. The Wave’s role in the local church
4. Organising mission as church and individuals
For each section there was 15 minutes for groups to reflect on
specific questions regarding how the findings from the report
related to them as representatives of their congregations. An
additional 5 minutes was spent giving feedback about the
discussions that took place.

Everyone was thoroughly engaged in the discussions that took
place and people’s feedback afterwards indicated that it was very
well presented and engaging. As well as Berno acknowledging that
The Wave needs to improve its communications strategy which was

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