Bringing an engaging energy with them, young people became consultants for the clergy attending the Oxford diocesan clergy conference. For the first time ever, students from four Church of England schools led worship during the Eucharist and also shared reflections on the reading.
Bishop Steven said: “It was an extraordinary thing to welcome 100 young people from across the diocese into our clergy conference of 280 delegates. It was a powerful experience to be led in worship by young people. It was transformational to listen carefully to young people’s experiences to the challenges they are facing and what their experiences are and how hopeful they are for the future.”
Ranelagh School student Arina shared an inspiring message from the last year, describing how she had moved from Singapore and was tackling the challenge of a new school, new country and new friends while studying for her GCSEs. Feeling very alone, with no-one to comfort her she went to church with her father.
She said: “I sat at the back and listened to the sermon and was immediately weeping. The fact is I wasn’t crying because for the pain I felt or the emptiness that consumed me but for the overwhelming sense of peace and comfort I had been craving for days, reminding me he was there with me. That he was going to look after me and has a plan for me.”
She concluded: “All of us at some time feel alone and isolated and it is in these moments his friendship will always find us.”
Following the service, the students were split into smaller groups to have candid conversations face-to-face with clergy about the challenges they have, their worries and how they experience church.
The students, from Waddesdon School, Oxford Academy School, The Ranelagh School in Bracknell and Churchmead School in Datchet, spoke about their worries for the future including the impact and the use of AI as well as the economy and how this affects the opportunities available to them.
They shared concerns about future employment and housing in a world of uncertainty. They also said the Church as place of community, and belonging was key to future hope. Henry shared in his group the value of being intergenerational church, how much he loves talking with elders in his church but also how they love learning from young people.
Both clergy and young people valued the opportunity of time together and engaging in deep conversation.
Read more about the clergy conference.