National Children’s Work Advisers’ Conference

Andy Keel and I headed to High Leigh Conference Centre to exhibit in the Marketplace at the Anglican 2012 National Children’s Work Advisers’ Conference.

The three day conference is attended primarily by the children’s work advisers from the different Anglican diocese’ around the country and we were one of 14 organisations providing a ‘marketplace’ for day one of the conference. The marketplace ran from 11.30am-3.30pm and we were also invited to join the opening reflective worship session as well as share a great lunch together. There was also a ’60 second soapbox’ slot which was new for this year where exhibitors were given four minutes (yes, I’m aware there’s more than 60 seconds in four minutes!) to share what they wanted to about their organisation. The slots were delivered in groups  of three with a 10minute break in between for delegates to go and browse the stands of those who had just spoken. I was up second and managed to come in just under time which I was pleased with! At the following break, many people came to chat to us which was brilliant! I had some great conversations about how our resources can help pioneer new outreach in churches and also had a lot of interest in the Just a ‘child’? Regional Equipping Events – both in coming along to events and the possibility of partnering to host an event in 2013.

The day was a great opportunity to share how Arise Ministries can help equip parishes and churches and also enable inter-denominational links to be developed. It was also good to put faces to some familiar names, and catch up with friends!