A celebration event was held at Cuthbert House on Saturday 14 June, marking the successful completion of the Catalyst training course for ten children and youth leaders from the Diocese of Durham.
Delivered in partnership with Ridley Hall, Cambridge, Catalyst is a fully-funded, Church of England training initiative designed to equip, inspire, and develop those involved in serving the next generation.
The course brought together volunteers and paid workers from across the Diocese, offering theological depth, practical skills, and a supportive learning community. Whether new to children and youth ministry or seeking to refresh and deepen existing knowledge, each graduate left the course with a renewed passion and sense of God’s calling on their ministry with children and young people.
Sharon Pritchard, Foundational Training Enabler, said: “This course has been a transformative experience for all involved. The material from Ridley Hall was rich not only in theory but also in practice, with the development of a self-led project for each person.
“The e-learning platform enabled participants to progress through the content of the sessions at their own pace, and with monthly in person gatherings we were able to discuss the content of each session and how it could best be applied to our practice.
“The theological aspects that were covered were very insightful and enabled participants to go deeper in their own faith as well as in their ministry with children and young people.”
The Catalyst course spanned several months and included an induction day, five monthly group sessions with other participants from the Diocese, digital resources and online learning activities to complete independently, a national conference to connect with other leaders from across the country and a graduation event.
Topics covered during the course include safeguarding, cultural awareness, inclusion, discipleship, self-reflection, theology, informal learning and biblical studies.
Participants spoke enthusiastically about their experience:
“As an Authorised Children’s minister I have found the Catalyst course thoroughly engaging and it has created more depth to what I have already studied,” said Nichola Rayson, Authorised Children’s Minister at Hillside Church, All Saints, Gateshead. “It was wonderful to meet up with not only people from Durham diocese but with others participating in the course around the UK.”
“The course has been full of ‘wow’ moments! It’s been fabulous!” added Joanne MacDonald, Authorised Children’s Minister at St Gabriel’s, Sunderland.
Paula Harrison, Authorised Children’s Minister at St Mary's Church, Gainford, reflected: “Following on from the Authorised Children’s Minister course, it was lovely to step into the Catalyst course. It gave us more theology, helped us share our faith with each other and look at new practice. It’s been a joy - an absolute joy!”
Amy Ward, Employed Children’s and Youth Worker at St Margaret’s, Neville's Cross St John and Bearpark Saint Edmund, said: “I found the Catalyst course really helpful to read specifically around children’s and youth ministry and focus on aspects like integrating all children. It has helped me broaden how I plan and think about what I bring to a session.”
The Diocese is looking forward to welcoming another cohort of participants later this year. If you would like more information about how to take part in the Catalyst course, please contact: Sharon Pritchard, Foundational Training Enabler Sharon.pritchard@durham.anglican.org
Main photo (L-R) Joanne McDonald, Authorised Children’s Minister at St Gabriel’s, Sunderland; Duncan Hindmarsh, volunteer at St Mary and St Cuthbert’s Church, Chester le Street; Nichola Rayson, Authorised Children’s Minister at Hillside Church, All Saints, Gateshead; Alex Walker, employed children’s and youth worker and Authorised Minister at St John's, Neville's Cross, Durham; Paula Harrison, Authorised Children’s Minister at St Mary's Church, Gainford; Jenni Little, Authorised Children’s Minister at St Gabriel's, Sunderland; Becca Dean, Lecturer at Ridley Hall, Cambridge; Sharon Pritchard Diocesan Foundational Training Enabler and Course Facilitator, Durham; Adam Brodie, Church Warden and Authorised Children’s Minister at St. Lawrence the Martyr, Horsley Hill, South Shields; Not pictured: Caroline Harland, Deputy Headteacher at Staindrop CE Primary School and Amy Ward, Employed Children’s and Youth Worker at St Margaret’s, Neville's Cross St John and Bearpark Saint Edmund, Durham.