I joined Scripture Union in September 1998 to take up the new position of Specialist Schools Worker working in North West London. The challenge of being part of a team developing schools work in a multi cultural and multi faith environment drew me to SU and I haven’t looked back since. Dr Andrew Smith, now out Ministry Consultant for Other Faiths and Cultures and Director of Youth Encounter and I worked closely together on developing the ministry’s practice in working with children and young people of other faiths and training others interested in doing so. SU document on the principles of working with children from other faith backgrounds has informed many working in this arena. In 2007 a Top Tips booklet on Welcoming children of other faiths was published.
My background as a primary school teacher meant I remained passionate about education and schools ministry. Some of the other challenges I have taken on have included project managing Lifepath – a project to help Christians in local communities organise an event to which they can invite local schools. It aims to give Key Stage 2 pupils the opportunity to explore the Christian faith through the life path of a well known historic Christian. Pupils in our region have looked at the lives of John Bunyan, John Newton, St Martin and Simon of Sudbury. Do get in touch if you are interested in finding out more about running an event in your area.
I was also privileged to be part of the development of an RE resource for the non specialist teacher at KS2. Into the Bible- 101 routes to explore. A set of Bible texts and 24 lesson plans to help teach Christianity in primary schools. In 2009 we obtained a grant to give away 200 sets of these books to schools.
In 2007 I became Schools Consultant and you can read about some of the exciting things happening in Scripture Union’s Schools Ministry here. If you would like to receive our termly ‘Schools Report’ please contact Catherineb@scriptureunion.org.uk.
In 2008 I became the manager of the eastern region which at that time included the two area teams of Anglia and the South East. My husband Geoff and I moved to Suffolk shortly after and during the reshaping process in 2009 I became the regional Team leader for the East. I still enjoy a challenge and am looking forward to this new way of working to SU’s big vision of:
- Every Christian to be engaging enthusiastically with the Bible and growing in their faith.
- Every church to be fully equipped to make disciples of children and young people
- Every community to have a vital Christian witness to children, young people and families.
Please contact Catherine our regional administrator Catherineb@scriptureunion.org.uk if we can help in your church, community or school. If you would like to receive my regular newsletter please contact me.