2020 has been a year like no other – from climate change, to COVID-19, to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s changed each and everyone’s lives in small and significant ways. Amongst it all there have been glimmers of hope – from heroic young volunteers, to building online communities, to reaching out to our neighbours. Our final conversation of 2020 is an opportunity to connect socially and celebrate the graces we have seen in our ministry alongside young people and our colleagues. We will look to the New Year with the Hope that Advent promises! We will be taking an informal approach, so feel free to come in your Christmas Jumper (not mandatory!). This conversation has finished.

As local lockdowns increase and the colder months draw in, this is an opportunity to catch up with one another, discuss the last few months and look with hope to the future. This conversation is open to anyone working with young people and those who are looking to. There are two opportunities to connect. This conversation has finished -See conversation resources.

We were joined by Dr Maryann Noronha, a consultant working on the frontline at St Thomas' Hospital, London. Dr Maryann is part of the Verbum Dei community and actively involved in youth ministry (including previously organising the Brightlights Young Adult Festival). She will offer reflections from the front line, sharing learning from the NHS. 

COVID-19 has uncovered so many existing conscious and unconscious discriminations in our communities. Our BAME young people are aware of and experience this on a daily basis.  Black Lives Matter have brought these discussions to the forefront.  How do we discuss this issue.  How do we answer the questions?  How do we recognise the unconscious Bias in ourselves and our communities? This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

On 7 July, we were joined by Bishop Nicholas Hudson. He is Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster with oversight for the Agency for Evangelisation, Youth and Justice and Peace in the diocese. Bishop Nicholas joins us, representing Cardinal Nichols. He will encourage us in our ministry with young people and offer a reflection for our conversation together. This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

We were joined by Brendan Geary, a Marist Brother with experience of ministry from all over the world, including working with young people and young adults, and people who have been victims of trauma. Based in Glasgow, Brendan is a clinical psychologist who worked as Director of Human Development at Ushaw College (2004 – 2009), and who has written about and presented workshops on various aspects of human development in different parts of the world. He will reflect on his experience of supporting people to deal with change, transitions and trauma. His sharing will help us consider what happens when young people’s assumptions about the world are challenged. How do we come alongside and support young people’s healing while supporting empowerment and finding solutions? How do we assist young people to take time to attend to the important internal factors which will ultimately help them grow through this time of crisis? This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

This workshop style conversation will help us to consider practical questions of how we can use this current time to #buildbackbetter, as we look ahead to the easing of lock down. How can we ensure young people receive the love and support of the Church and how can we ensure they are enabled to 'build the future'. Million Minutes will be introducing some resources and inviting participants to share their wisdom and challenges. Together we will see if there are practical ways we can look ahead and, as Pope Francis puts it, not just “prepare for the future” but “prepare the future”. This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ. We were joined by Sr Gemma, a sister of the Congregation of Jesus, known to many of us for her warmth and encouragement alongside her deep insight in spirituality. We invited Sr Gemma to reflect on how we can stay thankful in our ministry, enabling us to then consider together how, from a place of gratitude, we can build a grace-filled ministry with our young people. Now director of The Religious Life Institute in Cambridge, Sr Gemma also teaches courses on spirituality, leads retreats, is a religious broadcaster and brings a wide ranging experience - from Chaplaincy to missionary work in Brazil. This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

As we re-emerge from lockdown what will the big topics be that we will need to address with our young people?

Erin Doughty and Hannah Hall (from Kenelm Youth Trust) joined us to share their thoughts on how we can look ahead to prepare for the questions our changed context may bring. For example: So where is God in this suffering? How do we accompany young people through the on-going trauma? How do we help young people respond to this practically? How can they put action to the cries of their heart? This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources

In a time when many welcome voices appear about well being, how can we also draw on the riches in our own tradition to support young people’s well being during the pandemic and the uncertain times ahead? Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, shared his thoughts on how the tradition of the Church - and especially drawing on his Franciscan heritage - can offer support to a broad range of young people, beyond those already engaged with the religious practices of the Church. This conversation has finished - read about it and discover the ideas shared here. See conversation resources.

Joined by David Wells, Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB and Ruth Holgate we explored together ways of how we can accompany young people to discover their own responses in this moment and, more widely, to discern their place in the world. This conversation has finished - read about it and discover the ideas shared here. See conversation resources.

How do we ensure young people’s voices are heard as the world responds and considers the longer-term view?
~We considered the possibilities within this time to accompany young people in their mission as disciples, both in the immediacy of their role now, and how they can contribute to the future which will emerge. How do we ensure that young people are the means of "light and hope" that we know them to be?
This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the ideas shared. See conversation resources.

This conversation was offered especially for those who were unable to attend the daytime sessions - the session discussed Abbot Christopher Jamison's input from the previous conversations, in addition to hearing about ways participants are connecting with young people online, as well as considering our own well-being and those with whom we work. This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the ideas shared. See conversation resources.

An opportunity to come together and share our creativity and challenges as we look to support our young people (and families) during this time. Input was shared from Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB. This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources.

An opportunity to come together and inspire each other with our ideas as we re-imagine and innovate the work we do with our young people during this global pandemic.This conversation has finished - read about it here and discover the resources that participants shared. See conversation resources