Online Newsroom

General Assembly 2008: Kirk to hear report from first National Children's Assembly

10-12 year olds to be 'ambassadors' to General Assembly

May's General Assembly will hear the Mission & Discipleship Council report on the first-ever National Children's Assembly. Having run the groundbreaking National Youth Assembly for a number of years, the Council's Education and Nurture Task Group was keen to repeat this very successful formula with those at the very beginning of their journey of faith.

In September 2007, 102 children aged between 10 and 12 years and 45 adults from all parts of the country travelled to Aberfoyle to attend the event described by the task group as 'the highlight of our year'. The Reverend Stephen Bota from Malawi and Fischy Music led worship and a ceilidh. Twenty of the children who attended the National Children's Assembly will be representing their peers at the General Assembly where they will share their thoughts and reflections. The next National Children's Assembly will be held in Aviemore from 7 to 9 November, 2008.

Through its Education & Nurture task group, the Council seeks to help people of all ages 'to be humble and wise in everything they do.'

The General Assembly will hear that the work undertaken by the task group includes the launch of new DVD containing information on baptism. The DVD is interactive and aimed at parents who wish to have their baby baptised. Containing a child-friendly section, the DVD is designed to assist people in their understanding of the sacrament of baptism and is presented in a format that is easily accessible to those with little or no theological background. Hopefully, this DVD will give parents the information that they need in order to decide whether baptism is the right option for both themselves and their children. Featuring the Very Reverend John Miller, the DVD focuses on his experience and that of people in his parish as well as others around the Church of Scotland.

As part of its ecumenical commitment, the task group launched The Children's Ministry Network (Scotland), an inter-denominational network, resourcing and equipping children's workers in a safe and supportive forum. This group came about in answer to an expressed need by children's workers for support and incorporates the United Reformed Church, Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, Baptist Union and the International Christian College.

Following representations from youth groups and youth workers from around Scotland, the General Assembly Youth Night is to be relaunched this year and will be held in the middle of the Assembly rather than at the end in the hope that it will encourage Commissioners to take part and meet the young people of the Kirk.

The General Assembly will hear that 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of Youth Delegates at the General Assembly and Commissioners throughout the last decade have welcomed their contribution both in personal conversations and in debates. A question that has been raised at several general Assemblies over recent years relates to Youth Delegates being given the vote. The Mission and Discipleship Council fully recognise the legal challenges in permitting Youth Delegates to participate fully in the general Assembly voting process. Commissioners - Ministers, Elders and Deacons - are appointed by Presbyteries. Because Youth Delegates generally do not fall into these categories, they are not eligible to vote. However, the Council is keen that the voice of Youth delegates is heard corporately as well as individually at the general assembly and for that reason is asking the Assembly to agree to explore the possibility of Youth delegates being given an indicative vote.

Ends.

Note to News Desks

A full copy of the report is available on our General Assembly pages online here.

GANR/06/03/2008

Monday 14, April 2008

[Current news releases page]
[top of page]