An update on Youth Work
Hello Grace Church,
I’m writing this blog because I wanted to share with you the following message from Rosie Donohue. Here’s what Rosie want’s to tell you…
“I would like to share some news with you. As of this Easter, I will be stepping down from my role as employed Youth Leader at Grace Church. In many ways, this feels like a sad decision, as I have loved working in this role so much. However, it also feels like the right time for me to pass it on.
I have had the privilege of being involved with Grace Youth in various capacities over the past 12 years of serving on the team - whether voluntary or paid, as part of the team or leading it. I can honestly say that every season has been an absolute privilege.
The past three years in my paid role have been a particular joy, as I have been able to work very closely with our amazing young people and walk alongside them as they explore and deepen their relationship with Jesus. I am excited about how much God has done and how we have seen our young people flourish. By God’s grace, He has allowed me to be part of their journey, alongside a wonderful team of youth leaders, whom I have been incredibly grateful to work with.
I am reassured by our Elders, who place great value in our youth work, that Grace Church have every intention to recruit into this role over the coming months. As for me and my family, we continue to be committed to Grace Church and call it our home, and although things will look different, I hope to still be involved in Grace Youth in some capacity.
I am trusting God for the next season of Grace Youth. Even though we cannot yet see what lies ahead, we know that we have a faithful God who holds all things together - we are in no better hands. I am full of faith for what God is doing as He builds His Church through our young people, and I trust that He will continue the good work He has started.
I want to finish with some verses from Philippians 1, which I often pray over our young people:
'I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus… And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.' Philippians 1 vs 3-11.
Blessings,
Rosie”
In addition to passing on that message from Rosie, I wanted to take this opportunity to honour Rosie for the fantastic work she has done in loving and serving the young people of Grace Church over the past few years. Rosie has been a joy and a privilege to work alongside, leading the Youth Team with warmth, diligence, and care. The skill with which she has carried out this role is evident in the profoundly positive impact that youth work at Grace Church has had on so many young people’s lives.
In years to come, many will look back on their teenage years and remember their time at Grace Church youth as some of their fondest memories - moments that have shaped them more deeply than they may yet realise. Rosie is an indelible part of so many of those stories, and I hope you are as thankful to God as I am for her lasting impact on the youth of Grace Church.
David McNee
Lead Elder - Grace Church