I frequently get asked if I have a 'home' church in the Diocese ... and I do, it's St Nix in Newbury (strictly speaking 'St Nicolas'* as i get told off for calling it Nix) and it looks like this, as indeed it has done since 1532.
This is the Church where I was the Youth worker from 1998 to 2003 where I was priviliged to help develop the only youth centre I know of with a 'Grade 2 Star' (and hence, protected) staircase!
When I started work for the Diocese in 2003 we, as a family, really wanted to remain part of the congregation, especially given that it was a place where my oldest boy was known and accepted. With a new Youth worker coming in though I could see this would be potentially difficult for them. After much thought though we did remain there, but I kept a million miles away from the youth work, the youth building and any conversations about the youth work. It was however great to see the work developing (albeit at a distance) and the new directions the youth work took under the leadership of Simon Corner.
Five years later, Simon has moved on and we have a new Youth Worker in the shape of Paul Reisbach who is now the curator of the 'Grade 2 Star listed' staircase and worker unto and with the young people of Newbury. I'm also back in the building with Paul involving me in various projects which I'm really enjoying.
One of the things I love about St Nix is the way in which young people are made at home there, here are a couple of recent examples:
1. The way that some of the young people hang around the sound desk and the laptop for the Powerpoint stuff, and are happily drawn in and involved.
2. A couple of children yesterday making posters for 'Christian Aid' week then taking them to the Church warden who unlocked the outside notice board and put a poster up in there along side the community and church 'grown-up' notices and flyers.
I also get asked about whether I miss being the youth worker. I don't think so, although I do obviously miss the amount of time I got to spend with young people. (And come to think of it, it was VERY cool having a key to the tower!!). It's great to still be part of the church and community where I was the youth worker!
*It's pronounced Nicholas, we lost the 'h' somewhere along the way!
Thanks for this post, Ian! I am in the process of moving out of parish ministry as my position at the national church is going full time this month, so as of the summer I won't be working at my parish anymore.
But I want to continue to worship there, as it is the church home to my family. So thanks for an example of how it can be done well to leave the position and stay a parishioner!
Hope all is well!