An initiative that allows young people to explore their sense of calling in a supported, sustained way has recently marked its first birthday.
Mission House in Broadstone is a response to two questions that the United Reformed Church’s Wessex Synod set itself. “How can young adults who desire to get involved in church outreach or ministry find a setting to work out what that might look like?” And, “How can a church that has the vision and opportunity for outreach, but not the necessary people power, receive extra support to put their vision into practice?”
The Synod proposed a residence for individuals who would receive a structured experience of ministry – including training opportunities – and put out a call for a local church or churches who were looking for the extra drive needed to develop their mission. Broadstone URC responded to the brief, and Mission House was established next door in the former manse.
The church already had a families’ ministry in place, including the URC Community Award-winning Pop-In worship on Saturdays for children and their parents. But how to reach out further to school-aged children, many of whom walked through the church car park on the way to school? “We had the will but not the way,” says Gill McDonald, the church’s Children’s Youth Work and Families Coordinator.
Enter Taylor Hawkins (main image, right), the first resident at Mission House. Taylor had already felt a calling to be a Church Related Community Worker (CRCW). But even though they had been fully involved in URC Youth and the life of Wessex Synod, like many other young people they didn’t have anywhere to explore that calling. “For me,” explains Taylor, “Mission House was about consolidating my experience and understanding more about what my calling is.”
It was also about helping Broadstone URC consolidate its own understanding of what was possible. Taylor began by carrying out research into the community and all the activities and events already in place. Where were the gaps? Where could the church add value? They focused especially on what the church might offer children and young people, and this led immediately to the setting up of a Christian Union group in the local middle school. They got involved in Pop-In too, and when the annual Broadstone Christmas Market found it was unable to set up outside as usual last year, Taylor suggested the church host the market inside instead – running a coffee morning and children’s activities alongside it. It was such a success that vendors said they did better there than when they set up on Weymouth Pier.
And what about those local secondary school children who pass by every day? “We’ve got this key opportunity,” Taylor said, “so let’s find something they’re interested in, and let’s do it.” It began with providing board games and a drink – but as more young people are dropping in, they are suggesting the kinds of games they want. “Plus, we’ll set up a DIY toastie bar, and they’ll be able to make smoothies too.”
Taylor doesn’t do all this on their own. Volunteers are still needed, and Gill is a powerhouse, but their presence provides added consistency and an energy that inspires others.
For Taylor, the benefits of the scheme are obvious. They gets 20 hours of paid work a week, and though there’s rent to pay, it’s affordable. They have also been able to take up training options, completing a Children’s Ministry Essential online course, and training in work with young carers. They are now enrolled with Luther King Theological College to pursue a route towards CRCW ministry – with Broadstone URC as the base for their placement.
Above all, Mission House is a flexible, person-centred space. Lizzy has joined Taylor in the house this year, but her focus is towards exploring a ministry of Word and Sacraments, so she will work on other initiatives. URC Mission Houses are not unique to Broadstone (Mission House in Redcar is another), and Wessex Synod would like to establish more. What is clear is the all-round possibilities of such a scheme, for individual young people, church communities and the flourishing ministry of the United Reformed Church.
“Everyone says that there has been an exponential impact in the local community and the church as a result of Mission House,” Taylor says. “Numbers have grown on Sunday, but also there are more people coming to church events generally. There is more happening around our church, and because of the project we have more presence in the community.”