Lorraine Jones

Although I have worked with children and young people in the Methodist Church since I was 16 in a volunteer capacity, up until about 10 years ago I was a management accountant and worked for different confectionery companies over the years. God had other ideas and I started working for the Church professionally, as a children and families worker. It felt like everything clicked into place for me and I have never looked back.

My passion has always been about helping young people to flourish and to 'have life in all its fullness'. This has meant many different things at times; I have run self-esteem courses, holiday clubs and been involved with schools work. I also love helping children thrive within the faith community; whether through Sunday morning groups, intergenerational worship or by encouraging our young people to find their purpose through social justice work. My best moments are watching the young people as they come into their own, grow in confidence and find their place within the church family, whether giving presentations, being part of worship, being on 'welcome duty' or organising a uniform bank!

Having said that, it's mostly about having great relationships with our young people and helping them to realise that they have nothing to prove; that they are loved and accepted for who they are, not what they can do or achieve. I love working with the Children, Youth and Families Team who also have this in their hearts too.

We live in an uncertain and changing world, which is unsettling for all of us, not least our young people. As a team, we will be working out what this means for the Church and work with young people. How can we find 'stepping stones to faith' for those who have barely even stepped foot into a church? What can we do differently to make it accessible to them? We are excited for the possibilities and look forward to working with churches and their communities to explore the opportunities.

My other passion is what I call my 'Green Heart' and is actually an extension of wanting people to have that 'life in all its fullness'. I see the way we live in the world and how poorly people and nature are treated and know that there's a better way. One that is kinder to people and planet and more sustainable for future generations. Part of my role is to encourage us to be a justice-seeking church and support churches in their sustainability journey.

In my spare time I'm usually found in the garden – either at home or in Haxby & Wigginton's Community Garden. If not, then I'm dragging my poor husband and older teens around garden centres (I find bribing them with cake in the cafes usually works).

Lorraine Jones works as Circuit Children and Families Worker.