Kirk to Hear Plans for Annual Children's Assembly

For the first time, 10- to 12-year-olds in the Church of Scotland will appoint their own 'ambassadors' to the General Assembly this May.

May's General Assembly will see the Mission & Discipleship Council unveil an innovative set of proposals for their future work with youth and children.

Through its Education & Nurture task group, the Council seeks to help people of all ages be "at home" with wisdom, for life at work, in school and on the street as well as in their own families.

Perhaps most prominent among the task group's plans is the first-ever National Children's Assembly, which is scheduled to take place in Aberfoyle between 28 and 30 September.

Having run the groundbreaking National Youth Assembly for some number of years, the Council's Education & Nurture task group is looking to repeat this very successful formula with those at the very beginning of their journey of faith.

The Assembly will hear that invitations have been issued to every Presbytery in the Kirk to send one child in primary six or seven to gather with peers for a weekend of discussion, debate, worship and fun. The Presbyteries of England and Europe have also been invited to send representatives along to participate in this adventure.

This idea does not end at September's National Children's Assembly, but will continue in the weeks, months and years ahead. According to the report, the children will elect a moderator and several ambassadors who will be their voice at the General Assembly of 2008.

The Education & Nurture task group will report back on the National Youth Assembly of September 2006, which was attended by around 240 young people. Preparations are already underway for an even bigger National Youth Assembly to take place from 7 to10 September. The theme is, "Now, Next, Later" and will explore how we live as people of faith in the middle of a world that is constantly changing.

Among their other tasks, the Education & Nurture task group is currently involved in the production of a DVD about baptism. The DVD is interactive and aimed at parents who wish to have their baby baptised. There is also a section for children to engage with which is child-friendly.

The DVD is designed to assist people in their understanding of the sacrament of baptism and is presented in a format that is easily accessible to those with little or no theological background. Hopefully, this DVD will give parents the information that they need in order to decide whether baptism is the right option for both themselves and their children when compared with the alternatives available.