• Diocesan Youth Strategy
• Safeguarding (Child Protection)
• What Others Do
• Funding
• Resources
• Training
• Any Questions?
• Dysgu Gydol Oes * Lifelong Learning
• Tim's Blog

 

Cyswllt * Contact

Tim Feak
Diocesan Under 25s' Officer
Diocesan Office
High Street
St Asaph LL17 0RD

01745 582245

timfeak@churchinwales.org.uk

 

What Others Do

Meet some of the people already working with young people and children within the Diocese.

Tim Feak, Under 25s' Officer, talks to Lynn Fearnhead

Tell us a bit about who you are and your background in working with young people and children in the Diocese.

I have lived in Flintshire all of my life.  As a teenager I went to Greenfield Church Youth Group in Holywell, which was very important in my faith journey.  I have been a language teacher at Richard Gwyn Catholic High School for 34 years.

I have been involved in delivering children’s and youth work in the parish of Rhosesmor for 22 years.

Why do you keep doing what you do with children and young people in your parish?

God has kept me safe in His hands during my teens through His workers in His church.  I want to give something  back and help make a place for children and young people in today’s church.  A place where they feel they belong and can worship in a way meaningful to them.

What are the highlights of doing what you do?

My greatest joy has been to share the journey with young people and see them growing into young leaders themselves using the gifts that God has given them.  Wherever you join them on that journey you are an important part of that tapestry.

What are the challenges?

There are challenges around finance, finding the right premises, finding fellow workers and finding the time!  A positive challenge we face is to keep continuity for the youngest in the Sunday school through Primary and Secondary into adult life.  This may mean 3 or 4 groups. 

It is sometimes a challenge when numbers drop or you lose workers.  Don’t be disheartened.  Through prayer, work will grow in another part of ministry.  Never, never, never give up! 

It is also a challenge to keep up to date with the challenges that Young People face.  But it is very important to try and do so.

If someone was thinking about setting up a Youth Group, what advice would you give them?

Make sure you have a good supporting team to pray with, share ideas and plans and to meet regularly.

Have on board a pro active member of the PCC and go to the PCC meetings with them, so that the whole church shares your objectives, your vision and your problems.

Focus on an ‘Act of Kindness Day’ within your community, working with local council and school so that the wider community sees the witness of the young people.

If you could give 3 pieces of advice to other people involved in children's work and youth work, what would they be?

1. Pray about your work and listen to what God is saying to you.  You can’t do it in your own – God is working through you.  With Him as leader miracles can happen.  “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”.  (Philippians 4 vs. 13.  NIV).
2. Listen to the Young People and affirm their strengths.  Give them opportunities to develop their gifts.
3. Whatever you are doing make time to enjoy each other’s company and have fun.