Update from Annemarie Rivers, Children’s Ministry and Primary SRE Advisor
Hello wonderful Youthworks supporters! I’m Annemarie Rivers, Children’s Ministry and Primary SRE Advisor for the West and South West regions of the Anglican diocese. The Ministry Support Team (MST) at Youthworks greatly appreciates your continued support and prayers. Here’s a glimpse into how I’m involved in supporting SRE in some of the 100 plus churches in this part of Sydney.
Much of my time is spent talking with SRE Coordinators in local churches and supporting them as they recruit new SRE teachers, negotiate with schools and manage the authorisation requirements of new and current SRE teachers and helpers.
The role of the SRE Coordinator is not a small one! I often meet with people who are taking on this responsibility on behalf of their parish for the first time. Not long ago I met with Christine from St Mark’s Anglican in Sadleir, as she took on SRE coordination. Christine shares,
“I recently stepped into the role as SRE Coordinator at my church but was a bit unsure about what it would involve. Annemarie came to visit me and showed me the ropes, and assured me I could reach out to her at any time. As a busy mum, I feel confident that I can take on this role (and do it well!) because of staff like Annemarie who are so generously supported by you.”
St Mark’s is an excellent example of a small church in a tough area, doing a great job in SRE. Despite numerous challenges, the church has recently started teaching SRE in a new local school. Rev Dave Morgan has been involved in SRE for over ten years in local high schools and primary schools. He shares,
“Our church is in a marginalised area, and many children experience little relational stability in their lives. But what better motivation to keep showing up for these kids, than the fact that Jesus showed up for us?”
“I really enjoy teaching the bible with the kids each week, and while we only see a handful come across to church, I am prayerful that they will remember both the gospel, me and my fellow SRE teachers who kept showing up week in week out to guide them in their faith journey. I'm struck each new year (and in some cases each week) by the joy the students express to see me and my fellow teachers again.
How wonderful that ministers, like Dave, continue to lead by example through being an SRE teacher in their local area!
Training
Our team also spends a lot of time training new and continuing SRE teachers and helpers. New SRE teachers complete five 2-hour modules before they begin teaching independently, alongside Safe Ministry training, Working with Children Checks (WWCC) and other paperwork. While this seems a lot to take on, it is always encouraging to see our face-to-face and zoom training sessions filled with people keen to step up and serve.
Not only is this Accreditation training fulfilling the requirements of the NSW Department of Education, it also equips new teachers with the knowledge and skills to confidently step into classrooms and teach the Bible. I have recently worked with other Advisors and an experienced SRE teacher from the Blue Mountains on updating these training modules. The aim was to revise the content to reflect the current legal framework in which SRE operates, as well as, refreshing the content to equip new SRE teachers well in both face-to-face and zoom training sessions.
When I asked participants what they liked most about the training, one participant wrote,
“There’s lots of time to discuss things with others and think about how to actually apply it. I found it helpful to hear different ways people handle the tough questions that the kids might ask. I’m keen to apply some of these things so that I can answer questions more thoughtfully and appropriately.”
This captures the part of training that always encourages me too. Even though people might not have experience serving in SRE or kids ministry, God has been preparing them in a range of ways, and the discussion time in training is a wonderful opportunity to learn and be encouraged by others who they might not meet in any other context.
New authorisation cards
Over the last year, one big change for SRE Coordinators has been the move to a new data system for their SRE records. This was an important and necessary change to ensure the security of information, as well as streamlining the process to ensure SRE teachers and helpers remain up to date and compliant with requirements. Countless hours from numerous teams at Youthworks have gone into developing and rolling out this new ‘SRE Coordinator Community’.
Currently, this new system is being tested as the SRE Office checks the data of over 1,700 SRE teachers and helpers and sends out new authorisation cards. All the Advisors in the Ministry Support Team are spending lots of time helping SRE Coordinators get the right data into the new system and getting new cards into the hands of all continuing SRE teachers and helpers.
Sounds like a challenge? Indeed it is, but it is a vital part of ensuring the future of SRE as we comply with NSW Department of Education requirements. Unlike other SRE Providers, Anglican churches have the Youthworks SRE Office and MST to help and to ensure best practice in hundreds of SRE classes in schools across Sydney.
A story from Cranebrook
Alisa Drake is the SRE Coordinator and children’s minister at Together Outreaching Maturing Serving (TOMS) Anglican Church in Cranebrook. She oversees the teaching of over 500 students in SRE in seven schools and has faced numerous challenges from new schools opening, to uncooperative school staff, and to unexpected changes in SRE arrangements. She reflects,
“I commenced this role with more passion and heart for children than skill and experience, knowing I can seek advice from Youthworks eases the burden.”
Recently, one of Alisa’s schools was not allowing SRE classes for Kindy students. When Alisa’s negotiations stalled, I was able to contact the school and make progress in plans for the Kindy classes to begin. The first lessons began in Term 2! Both Alisa and I are praising God for answering our prayers for negotiations like these. Alisa shares,
“I know that we at TOMS are not alone and the body of Christ is at work, supporting and encouraging one another. I need this support to be able to continue in my role.”
It is a wonderful privilege to serve alongside ministry workers like Alisa as we face the various challenges that emerge.
Prayer requests
Please pray for the hundreds of SRE teachers and helpers currently completing training and lesson observations to update their authorisation. Pray for new teachers to be raised up from among our congregations.
Please pray for the SRE Coordinators negotiating with schools and the Youthworks Advisors who support and sometimes step in. Pray that doors would continue to open for SRE to be effectively taught in every school.
Please pray for the students in SRE classes across the West and South West of Sydney. For many, this is the only place they hear the Bible clearly and systematically taught.
Thank you for your continued support. Your prayers are greatly valued and your financial generosity is vital in ensuring this work continues.
