In January, our teenage CORE youth Group led our 10:30 service for the first time. The initial reaction to this suggestion from leaders, Joe and Chris, ranged from ‘No way!’ to ‘We could have smoke machines and lights!’ But as feelings calmed, the ideas flowed. The end result was a service in which the content was produced entirely by the young people themselves. Some shared later what it had meant to them.

‘I wasn’t expecting to do the whole service at first. I was nervous, but it went much better than expected. We worked well together as friends and bounced ideas off each other.’

‘I discovered the deeper meaning of some of the things we say and do in church.’

‘I enjoyed it and would do it again! I feel closer to God through it and have a deeper sense of being part of the church family.’

Parents and church members were justifiably proud of their young people. We heard comments like ‘I wanted to give them a clap!’ ‘It was wonderful!’ ‘and 'I didn’t really know what the CORE group was before and now I do.’

We asked Revd Joe why it is important for CORE to have opportunities to lead worship. ‘They are not just the church of the future but the church now. By putting a worship service together for others, they learn to think more deeply about what worship means to them. It is an opportunity for our young people to discover and exercise their gifts in a place that is safe. As adults we tend to stick to certain ways of doing things and it is good to have traditions challenged. Jesus challenged his disciples when he put a child in the midst of them. Putting children and families at the centre of church life means, among other things, involving them in worship.‘

Well done, CORE group! We look forward to seeing you at the front again, reading, leading, praying and playing in the music group in the not too distant future.