Rev Anna Norman Walker reflects on the impact of Ela, the Apprentice on the London Diocese’s Apprenticeship programme from 2023-2026:
Having Ela as our YWA over the past three years has been a transformational experience for us at St Leonard’s. When Ela started, she was new to the Christian faith and to youth work. Our youth group was small but growing and our children’s ministry, although established, was relatively small in number and there was lots of scope for development.
Three years on and our youth group has around 40 young people on the books and almost 100 children and young people in total throughout the week. Ela has brought skill, enthusiasm, and a remarkable ability to connect with young people of all ages and their families.
The role has brough fresh energy to our work with CYP , has encouraged new volunteers and grown young voluntary leaders. The fact that Ela was new to faith and to church provided us with a much needed ‘fresh perspective’ and Ela gave us the courage to try new things.
We have learnt a lot about developing potential and nurturing the faith of a CYA and we hope to become an ongoing training hub for people like Ela, with lots of potential who need a context of nurture and support in order that they can develop their skills, discover their vocation and mature in faith.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Diocese of London and Southwark for this extraordinary opportunity which has been beneficial to the church to Ela and to the lives of young people.
Southwark Diocese now offers an apprenticeship-style training programme for young people exploring ministry and mission. Could your church be the next place where a young leader learns, serves and flourishes?
If you know someone who would make a great apprentice, or if your church could offer a supportive environment for an apprentice to grow in their faith, skills and ministry, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch with Southwark Diocese Apprentice Co-ordinator, Louisa Ley, at [email protected] to start the conversation.
