They pitch in and help, hype our younger ones up, run games, sometimes help with teaching and pastoral care and generally they are the glue that nurtures our youth pastors and those younger than them. Often we know our senior youth pretty well, having journeyed with them as they have grown and matured.
It’s also a pretty challenging time in their lives, those last couple of years at school and first few years outside school as they navigate employment, apprenticeships and study. Often many of their peers have dropped away from youth for various reasons too, so they become, both a little more alone, and all the more precious. They need a little more from us, but that can often mean stretching ourselves even thinner than we were. Our heart is to compliment what you already do, by connecting them across the Diocese and the Motu, and encouraging their faith and leadership journeys.
So, with these kinds of dynamics in mind, we are building a community (or communities) of Senior young people, and giving them space to have some fun, to worship, to ask questions, explore their leadership journeys and simply be. We’re meeting mostly once a month, and mostly on the first Sunday of each month. Connect with Steph for more details
Senior young people we see as being Year 12’s, 13’s and the first few years out of college.
If your senior youth are keen, but a little shy, please, as their youth leader, feel free to come along and enable them to settle in.
Currently we are meeting mostly at Neligan House in Parnell, talk to Steph if you feel your young people need a different environment and let’s see what we can do.
Our first gathering for this year is
Wednesday 25th January 2023, 5pm-7.30pm – meet at the band rotunda in Auckland Domain
Sunday 5 March 2023, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Sunday 2 April 2023, 12.30pm – 4.30pm – A Road to the Cross event around the central city. We’ll meet for our first stop at Neligan House as usual for lunch, then take a journey through the central city, finishing at the Cathedral across the road from Neligan House.
Venue: 3rd floor, Neligan House, 12 St Stephen’s Ave, Parnell