cork, cloyne and ross
Commissioning of 4 new Youth Workers
7th October 2007
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Sunday 7th October saw the Bishop commissioning four new youth workers for the Diocese. They are Carolyn Smith, Ben Johnson, Katie Gould and Matt Gould.
The new youth workers with the Bishop, Mark Dunwoody, Dean Dunne, Wilfred Baker and Archdeacon Bantry-White during an induction day. |
Carolyn has recently finished studying to become a primary school teacher and has decided to devote a year of her time to being a Diocesan Youth Worker before beginning teaching. She will be focusing mainly on North and East Cork. She has already been involved with the D.Y.C.’s activities over the past three years and is one of the co-ordinators of ‘Anois’. She says “Young people are dynamic, enthusiastic and fun. If the church had even a few young people in each congregation actively taking part in decision-making, idea making, mission planning and outreach, our churches would be dynamic, enthusiastic centres of mission and outreach! What I see my role this year as, is someone who might help in some small way to create opportunities for young people to take initiative, be creative and involved in the work of the church, i.e. the mission, and through this grow in their knowledge and love of God.” Ben Johnson hales from Temecula, Southern California. He began doing youth ministry in 2002 while working with the U.S. Air Force. He has worked with teens in South Carolina, South Korea and Northern Italy. He says he is “..truly stoked (beyond excited) to be part of this growing ministry to young people here in Ireland.” Ben will be working in Ross Union. Husband and wife team Katie and Matt Gould will be working in Katie’s home parish of Carrigrohane. They will share a full time position will continuing their work as physiotherapists. They say that “Our hope for the youth work is that in God’s strength we will be able to help the young people in our parish to grow in their relationship with Jesus and to increase in their understanding of what being a follower of Jesus means.” |
The commissioning service was held in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and many of the young people of the Diocese were present to support and welcome Carolyn, Ben, Matt and Katie. A bowling party was held afterwards for over seventy five of the young people present. A good time was had by all!
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