Bexley URC were the first church in Southern Synod to receive a Child Friendly Church Award in March 2007. The next presentations will be at the March 2008 Synod meeting.

Pilots is the URC's own youth & children's work organisation. See www.pilots.org.uk to find out more or contact the Pilots desk at Church House on 0207 9162020 or email pilots@urc.org.uk.

Check out forthcoming training events to find out about the Youth & Children's Work Elders day, Toolbox in Kent, and the chance to do the whole Core Skills for Children's work course in a weekend!

There is a wide variety of youth & children's work happening around the Southern Synod in local churches and community projects. Larger events for the children & young people across the Synod also take place each year. The next big event for children & young people is called Peacebuilders and takes place on Saturday 15^th March at Oxted School, alongside the Synod meeting. Find out more about some of these events.

Meanwhile, young people can get involved in the decision making of the church at synod and national level through the Fellowship of United Reformed Youth (FURY). Follow the FURY link to find out about more about the idea of a Synod Youth Executive.

The Synod Children's and Youth Work Forum oversees the Synod's work amongst children & young people. It has three main functions:

• To support and oversee Synod children's and youth work
• To provide a focal point for all those with relevant area or synod roles
• To share relevant ecumenical information and national issues

The Synod also employs a Youth and Children's Work Training & Development Officer (YCWTDO) who is involved in the following areas of work:-

• Employing Workers through the Turn the Tide scheme - helping churches with the process of employing a youth/children's/family worker, from considering the possibilities right through to appointing and supporting the workers.
• Training - a variety of training sessions & courses for all those involved in youth & children's work, from junior leaders to church elders. See what's on offer at the moment.
• Advice & Consultancy - contact your YCWTDO to discuss issues to do  with your work amongst children & young people: questions about good practice; advice on suitable resources; thinking about a new approach etc.
• Events for children & young people - the YCWTDO encourages, supports and helps to organise events for children & young people across the Synod. See what's coming up or make a suggestion.
• Enable the work of the Synod's Children's & Youth Work Forum and Turn the Tide group. Working alongside others to plan and promote Synod FURY activities, the development of Pilots in the Synod, good links with national events and the involvement of young people in the Synod.