The Diocese of Bristol and South West Youth Ministries (SWYM) are excited to announce a new partnership to support and enable local parishes to reach children, young people and families as part of our commitment to Growing Faith.
This partnership will see new training opportunities offered from Clergy to lay volunteers and young leaders and we are excited that SWYM have appointed Kath Smith to work as both SWYM Bristol Area Co-ordinator and CYF Advocate (Children, Youth & Families) with the Diocese.
Kath will be starting in this role from September, and we look forward to welcoming her to the SWYM staff team and working alongside the Children, Young People and Families Team at the Diocese.
Kath said:
For over 20 years I’ve lived in the beautiful South West and have served in Bristol Diocese for 18 years. I’ve been a part of the SWYM community for nearly 20 years starting out as a trainee and I’m still just as passionate about working with young people as I was back then! I live in Bristol with my husband and kids, investing our time in the local church and sharing Jesus’ love in a variety of creative ways. I love live music, adventures with friends and the outdoors, whether that’s walking up a mountain or running in the countryside.
I am really excited to not only work for SWYM and build on the foundations that have been laid, but to also form a new partnership with Bristol Diocese so that we can dream and seek out ways to create wholesome communities supporting our children, young people and families to encounter Jesus, come to know him and live for more!
Liz Townend, Director of Education for the Diocese of Bristol said:
We are delighted to be partnering with SWYM in this initiative. We all want children and young people to flourish within their families, schools, church and local communities. Kath will be key in taking forward some initiatives that will help our young people get closer to God and their church community; we welcome her warmly to the diocese and this work.
Paul Friend, Director of SWYM said:
We are excited to be entering into this partnership with the Diocese of Bristol. As an organisation our vision is that 'every child and young person across the SW might encounter Jesus, come to know Him and make a choice to live for more'. This partnership we hope and pray will enable more children and young people to explore and find faith in so many different contexts and backgrounds through the local church. Therefore we can't wait to see what is going to develop through our closer working together.