Monday 24 November 2008

Sarah Malik named first salaried Methodist Youth President

First role of its kind in any mainstream UK Church

Sarah Malik has been elected Methodist Youth President at this year’s Methodist Youth Conference. From January until September 2009 Sarah will work full time to serve as an advocate and spokesperson for young people in the Church.

This new role is the first to be appointed in the Church’s new £4million Youth Participation Strategy, launched at the Youth Conference in Northampton last weekend. This is the first time salaried positions have been specifically targeted at the 16 to 23-year-olds in order that young people help guide the direction of the church.

Sarah, who is 20, said; ‘I’m really excited about this new role. In my year of presidency I hope to spend time travelling Britain and listening to what young people in the Church have to say and what they want to see changing. I find it easy to motivate myself when I am working towards something I love.’

Mike Seaton, Children and Youth Team Director, said; ‘This new role is about encouraging and empowering the Church’s young people. During Sarah’s travels she will be able to challenge Methodists of all ages to welcome the participation of children and young people in all aspects of the Church’s work and life.’

Sarah is a carer at a residential care home in Eyam, Derbyshire. She enjoys cooking and watching films and is passionate about helping people to participate in worship through the creation of prayer labyrinths.

The Youth Participation Strategy will also see 32 young people employed in new, part-time salaried posts as District Youth Enablers across the Methodist Church in Britain.

Youth Presidents will be appointed to work full-time in the Church annually from September 2009.

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This is wonderful news and I look forward to the dynamic energy and vision that these young people will bring to the Methodist Church. We live in exciting times!
Let's make sure that we all pray for them all in their new roles and that God will inspire and empower them for the benefit of the whole church.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your support! Feel free to get into contact with me if you want me to come and speak at any young people's events, or indeed any relevant events!

May God bless you all,

Sarah Malik

see-through faith said...

yes prayer ... and also freedome to make mistakes (and learn from that). Sometimes we aren't that good at that part.

Olive Morgan said...

Thank you Sarah - or should I say Tomsie? (That reminds me of my nickname, Mugsie, when I was running holiday clubs at our church. Happy days!)

I haven't spoken to my minister or church stewards yet, but I'm wondering whether you will be free in February when we have a visit of the National Methodist Youth Brass Band (6th to 8th) and they will give a concert at our church on the Saturday and take part in the Sunday morning service. We don't have too many young people at our church because, like my own children, they go off to University and then the world is their oyster. If you are free and would like to come, I will speak to my minister and stewards.