church of Ireland youth department
report 2001
members of central board
President	Rt Rev Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam	
Chairman	Rev Charles McCollum	
Vice Chairman	Rev Paul Whittaker	
Honorary Treasurer	Rev Olive Donohoe	
Secretary	Rev Garth Bunting	
Board Members		
Miss Gillian Bendall	Mr Mervyn Baird	
Mr Frank Bailie	Mr Colin Day	
Rev Andrew Forster	Rev Bob Gray	
Rev Mark Harvey	Rev Nicola Harvey-Neill	
Rev Gary Hastings	Rev Mark Hayden	
Miss Shirley Kingston	Mr Jeff Marshall	
Mrs Jennifer McElroy 	Rev Robert Miller	
Mr Roy Totten		
Co-opted	Mrs Isobel Hawthorne 	
	Rev Philip Heak	
INTRODUCTION
The Church of Ireland Youth Department has come through a period of transition moving from the two regional structures to an all Ireland board.  During the year the Representative Church Body instigated an audit and assessment of our work practices, financial procedures and in essence an evaluation of all work undertaken throughout the department.  This provided an excellent opportunity for an unbiased evaluation to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the work, which resulted in recommendations covering practice in youth work, financial procedures and governance issues which have been implemented.  This has been an invaluable experience for all parties concerned.
In conjunction with this audit the Youth Department has undergone a process of strategic planning facilitated by an outside consultant, which has resulted in a 3 year strategy outlining the mission statement, core values alongside aims and objectives with corresponding performance indicators.  Our funding base during 2000 changed and a priority for the future will be the establishment of a funding strategy and securing additional finance for existing projects as well as developmental work.
STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Regional Conferences
A	The Share Centre, County Fermanagh hosted the Northern Regional Conference, which aimed to consult diocesan councils, full-time workers and young people regarding the effectiveness and needs of youth work throughout the Church of Ireland.  Approximately 90 people attended the weekend and they experienced a variety of worship styles as well as a combination of seminars and activities alongside group work to establish facts.  The Share Centre is a fantastic venue and the conference was successful highlighting new practices and opportunities for future development work.
B	The Dublin youth office hosted a day conference for the Southern Province and with a similar aim was attended by approximately 20 participants; made up of diocesan workers, young people and Central Board Members.  The consultation began to identify possible areas of development as well as establishing areas of success and failure in current practice.
The concept of a Regional Conference and the opportunity to consult widely about youth work practice throughout the Church of Ireland has been established, however some thought needs to be given to the future of the conferences and in particular participants who attend.
PROGRAMMES DEVELOPED
Summer Madness
Summer Madness, again hosted in Armagh, ran at a difficult time due to the extension of the Drumcree parades.  Despite this, the camp increased its participation to 4500 individuals. The age profile of the event was similar to that of 1999, 62% were aged between 15 to 25 and 17% were aged between 11 to 14.
The theme for the year was ‘God the Father’ and there was a specific focus on the Millennium event ‘History Makers’ an interdenominational project aimed at 14-18 year olds.  The speakers were Andy Hickford and Jeff Lucas and worship was led by a Summer Madness worship band alongside Eoghan Heaslip and the Youth For Christ band called ‘TVB’.
New aspects of the programme included the development of ‘Feet First’, the 11-15 programme.  The 15-18 year old programme entitled ‘Mad or Wot’ was very successfully developed by Karen Taylor and Neville Barnes.  Youth Link NI provided a new venue exploring peace through an acknowledgement of difference, exploration of peace building initiatives and panel discussions on faith and a divided community.  This was a very successful venue and positive contribution to the camp.
The Space tent provides an opportunity for leaders and clergy to have their own programme.  Now operating for three years, more participants attended – 300 each day.  Andrea Wigglesworth and Rev Graeme Cray led bible studies and small group discussion on a variety of contemporary issues including ‘walking in the spirit of cyberspace’ and ‘the spiritual gift of dissatisfaction’.
Safeguarding Trust and the implementation of policy was negotiated and developed with the help of Canon Houston McKelvey and resulted in 150 key leaders being trained by Paul Brown.  During the year Mr Roy Totten resigned as chairperson.  We are delighted to welcome Rev Sam Wright and Mr Frank Bailie as chair and vice chair.  Mr Roy Totten has made an incredible contribution to the camp over the past seven years and we are very thankful for the many gifts, talents and opportunities he afforded us.  
Taize Visit to the Community
In July, Bishop Richard Henderson along with Church of Ireland Youth Department staff and Board members led a group of young people, clergy and Theological College students on pilgrimage to Taize.  The experience included worship and small group discussion as well as participating in the everyday work of community life with daily duties to be completed.  The successful pilgrimage has led to the community being invited to attend a variety of conference venues throughout Ireland in 2001 to promote and share their values and worship experience.
Easter Praise
This event was held in the year 2000 in Shankill Parish Lurgan as well as in St Catherine’s Dublin the established event in Lurgan attracting 800 participants.  It was a very successful event with the Youth For Christ band ‘TVB’ leading worship.  In Dublin participation was low 20 individuals and much was to be learned through this experience.
Training
Creative Workshops
Bangor hosted a workshop for 23 participants who spent the day looking at creative approaches and models of youth ministry.  Participants included young adults 16-18, Youth leaders, diocesan workers and clergy.  
Safeguarding Trust
Niall Byrne has been involved in the training of parish and diocesan youth leaders in the Republic of Ireland for the Board of Education.  This has involved the development of the 3-hour training programmes outlining good practice and the requirement of the Church of Ireland policy.
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry
Paul Brown delivered training to youth leaders hosted in Larne based on the Saddleback model of Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.  The youth leaders attended the in-depth course (9 weeks) from St Mary’s Ballybeen, Millisle and Carrowdore, St Paul’s, Belfast.
Full Time Workers’ Support
With the increased number of Full Time workers, Paul Brown has continued to develop the programme with six gatherings throughout the year to provide an opportunity for encouragement and to share ideas and as well as developing relationships across parishes and dioceses throughout the church.  This has also involved input on a variety of topics including
•	What’s so Amazing about Grace 
•	Standing in the Gap
•	How to Walk the Walk
Speakers included Mike Yaconelli, Rev Stuart Blythe and Rev Don Gamble.
Year Out Team (YOT)
Due to the loss of funding base and the resignation of the part-time co-ordinator of the Year Out Team, Paul Brown was seconded to the project for a period of 12 months.  The programme outline of the project changed to include one and two week short term placements, 3 long-term placements of 1 or 2 months and the support and development of holiday bible clubs during the summer.  Two young people finished the team in 1999 and two began their training and participation in the 2000/01 project. 
Placement requests have been numerous and the team have been fully booked throughout the Church of Ireland with longer-term placements in Suffolk, Belfast and Cork City.  Feedback and evaluation has been extremely positive and the concept of the team is being further developed.
Representation
Staff and Central Board members represent the Church of Ireland Youth Department on the following organisations:
Youthlink NI, Youth Council for NI, Youthnet and the National Youth Council of Ireland.  Rev Nicola Harvey-Neill was elected as Chairperson of the Youth Work Affairs Committee.
The Youth Officer attended the International SOMA conference on transforming communities and this was an invaluable learning experience from the Anglican Church worldwide.  The conference was most valuable for relationship building and working in unity with other churches.
Staff Training
Paul Brown has engaged in a diploma course through Ulster University Jordanstown in Community Youth Work.  Karen Taylor has participated on a long distance learning course through Brunel University on Youth Work.  Niall Byrne attended a modular course at certificate level on Youth Ministry (it is hoped this course will be available to youth leaders within the Church of Ireland in partnership with the Catholic Youth Council and Diocesan youth workers).
Regional Grants
Twenty-two projects in the Republic of Ireland were supported by small grants ranging from £100 to a maximum of £2000.  The successful applications involved the following target areas of work:
•	Worship Development
•	Justice and Ecology
•	Mobilisation of young people
•	Discipleship
•	Community Action
CONCLUSION
Throughout the year the Central Board was unsure of its funding and as a result staff and programme were curtailed.  However the events, programmes and strategies developed consolidated the progress made in 1999.  With the development of a strategic plan and a Central Board Residential to establish purpose, reporting strategies, standing orders and the future thrust of the Youth Department, the overall result has been very significant and positive.
The Central Board would like to thank the Rev C McCollum (Chairman) for his contribution to the development and work of the department; especially prior to the new structure.  A warm welcome is also extended to Rev P Whittaker who has become Vice-chairman.

appendix
receipts and payments account – central
year ended 31 December 1999
	1999	1998	
	IR£	£	IR£	£	
RECEIPTS					
Church of Ireland					
Representative Church Body					
- General	60,000	60,000	60,000	60,000	
- Central Board expenses	689	458	801	929	
Priorities Fund	-	32,000	-	33,000	
Department of Education					
Youth Service Grant Scheme	55,129	-	100,800	-	
Theological College	500	-	500	-	
	______	______	______	______	
	116,318	92,458	162,101	93,929	
	______	______	______	______	
PAYMENTS					
Council					
Central Board	1,543	952	1,083	1,011	
Travel and subsistence	805	997	742	303	
Insurance	-	-	850	-	
Auditors fees	-	-	605	-	
Training					
All Ireland training programme	-	500	567	-	
Theological training	60	-	159	675	
Staff					
Core staff salaries and expenses	61,849	102,024	53,279	82,643	
Diocesan Youth Officers	1,000	600	6,250	1,000	
Miscellaneous					
Bank interest and charges	46	101	7	63	
Regional development	10,000	-	-	-	
Sundries	220	281	250	-	
Transfers					
- To Southern Regional Council	28,775	1,000	61,700	-	
- To Northern Regional Council	24,563	-	30,000	-	
	______	______	______	______	
	128,861	106,455	155,492	85,695	
	______	______	______	______	
(DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR	(12,543)	(13,997)	6,609	8,234	
Transfers from IR£ Central to Southern Regional account	______	______	______	______	
Net (deficit)/surplus for the year	(12,543)	(13,997)	6,609	8,234	
		______		______	
(Loss)/profit on exchange	(1,607)		74		
Income and expenditure account sterling	(13,997)		8,234		
	______		______		
(DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR	(28,147)		14,917		
	______		______		
BALANCE SHEET
31 December 1999
	1999	1998	
	IR£	IR£	IR£	IR£	
BANK BALANCES					
					
- Central Account	(21,909)		25,633		
- Southern Region					
RDO	1,913		1,897		
Southern Region	12,290		12,733		
- Northern Region	268		(62)		
- Summer Madness	(779)		(1,274)		
	______		______		
		(8,217)		38,927	
		______		______	
					
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT					
					
Opening balance		38,927		31,627	
					
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year:					
- Central 		(28,147)		14,917	
- Republic of Ireland		(19,773)		(1,985)	
- Northern Ireland		270		(218)	
- Summer Madness		506		(5,414)	
		______		______	
		(8,217)		38,927	
		______		______	

These financial statements were approved by the committee on 18 January 2001 and are signed on its behalf by	
Rt Rev RCA Henderson			
Rev OMR Donohoe			
			
Committee Member