Growing Younger

Growing Younger - an inspiration for the diocese and our parish

Background:

The PCC have recently adopted the Diocesan Vision aspiration of ‘Growing Younger’ as a key element of its Mission Action Plan.

For most churches and the Diocese, ‘growing younger’ means connecting with the most absent of church demographics: those in mid- late teenage years. However, at St Anne’s, despite the wide spread of ages we encompass, we recognise that we would ‘grow younger’ as a congregation if we attracted more people in their thirties and forties!

We may not view ourselves as an ‘old congregation’…. But to a fifteen-year-old we probably appear ancient.

It was always thought that ‘like attracted like’ – people joined churches where they saw themselves. Recent research, however, suggests that’s not the whole story. Young people are not necessarily looking to duplicate friendship networks, or their existing social lives; often they are looking for what they don’t have. They may lack good relationships with those of an older generation, for example. Many are looking for something other: the church should be able to offer precisely this- but in a way that they can connect with and to which it is made clear they are welcome, and to which they can contribute.

We need to recognise that St Anne’s was not built with children attending in mind! The worship space is singular and small, a large regular congregation of children is unrealistic to expect- but would also be overwhelming.

Over the last twenty years there has only been a small number of regular children attending and deliberate attempts to increase that have been unsuccessful. All growth has been organic and through relationships (mostly built through the clergy’s presence in school).

◊ Can we grow Young People through better engagement with children?

◊ Is there a need not currently being met for students?

◊ What can we do to grow younger to increase our engagement with the younger adults already with us- and to attract more?

Our situation is:

• That we are a congregation of which now only 1/3rd are ‘local’ (i.e. can walk to church) whereas ten years ago it was 2/3rds.

• We are in an area that has seen significant reduction in its resident population.

• We are in one of the three boroughs with the sharpest reduction in primary school age children (Soho Parish School roll down from 170- to just over 100 in five years).

• Many families (not all) have often moved out of Soho when children reach teenage years due to size of accommodation.

• Soho is not awash with resident teenagers. One parent asked if we could start a scout group for her son- but with no indication as to who else might join him.

• Having only a small number of children coming regularly, we frequently lose them when they go to secondary school.

• We have great contact with school- but children are frequently living further from Soho. Parents don’t want to travel in again on Sundays… not even occasionally.

• A previous appeal to school parents asking what they would like St Anne’s to provide for their children received zero responses.

• We lack a critical mass of children and Young People with/ for whom to run activities.

• Next year two of our four most regularly present children will be leaving, another one will start secondary school.

What we currently do to nurture children:

• Give them their own place and special materials in the centre of the church on Sundays (we prepare for them and don’t push them off to the side).

• We have started a monthly children’s group during the 10-am service.

• Offer admission to Holy Communion from year 3 (aged 7) to foster sense of belonging.

• Involve children in the liturgy (weekly/ Soho Parish Sundays).

• 2024 Crib service attended by 19 children (59 adults)

• Number of children attending quarterly Soho Parish Sundays in last 12 months, 11-23.

• 2 Teenagers: one doing livestreaming, one serving most weeks.

The Growing Young Plan

(Children and Young People)

• To review with current church parents what we do and what they wish we did/ would do.

• Secondary school-age pizza eve: what would make them come to church more often/ what would they bring a friend to?

• Review what we currently do with Children’s Champion- are we missing any opportunities? (taking collection / reading)

• Explore ‘Wednesday worship’ – an after school ‘church’ at St Anne’s with activities/ drinks and snacks. (before Evening Prayer).

• Be intentional in asking YP to help with (for example) More Tea Vicar, children’s refreshments on Sundays (etc) (questions around reliability).

• Restart weekly ‘reflective assemblies’ with Soho Parish (from Autumn)

• Make the most of this year while we have a ‘regular’ number of children to engage with.

The Growing Young Plan

(Young adults)

• Faith and Food with Jim Craig ‘Connecting with Gen Z’

• Audit of what is available for students- who is not being provided for?

• Produce on-line publicity to particularly reach students & YP.

• Sacred Grounds coffee shop - the portal to a different generation?

• Hold an ‘under thirties’ supper/ event twice a year.

• Expand advertising for the monthly 5pm service.

SB/ June 2025/ revised July 2025.