1 June 2026
In 2025, incumbents across our diocese were invited to join Launchpad, a Youthscape coaching programme supporting parishes to begin youth work and help more children and young people encounter God’s love.
The Bradwell Episcopal Area Launchpad Celebration in May marked the end of the course. It was a joyful and encouraging evening with clergy sharing what they had discovered through Launchpad and the practical steps they had begun to take within their parish communities.
The participants (pictured below) gathered at St Peter and St Paul’s, Grays, alongside The Rt Revd Adam Atkinson, the Bishop of Bradwell, The Ven. Dr Sue Lucas, the Archdeacon of Southend and members of the diocesan Children, Young People and Families team – the Mustard Seed Team – who led the course and supported the cohort throughout the programme.
The Revd James Webster, Rector of the Icknield Way Parish, also took part in Launchpad training in our Colchester Episcopal Area. Reflecting on his experience, James explains how Launchpad helped him begin youth work in his parish:
“When I arrived as Rector 18 months ago, there was one teenager who regularly attended church, but people were aware of many other teens who might be interested in a Youth Group. So I gratefully accepted the invitation to undertake Launchpad training – it was excellent!
“On top of some very helpful and insightful training, being part of a group of clergy who were at different stages with their groups helped instil confidence that establishing a Youth Group could be done.
“At an initial ‘open evening’ last June the course material went down well, and since the autumn, we’ve had a steady group of half a dozen teens that meet monthly during term-time on a Saturday evening. Small beginnings but a big impact!
"The group chose to use the ‘Unfold’ material – a Bible study that starts light at an A4 size but unfolds larger as you go deeper into the study. It took us four sessions to finish the first study; such was the level of engagement following on from the youth group essential of pizzas!
“We’re just about to start Alpha Youth – I know it’ll throw up all sorts of things, but as the group has gelled over the last six months, I also know it’ll be very good!”
To find out more about Launchpad in our diocese email: mwilliamson@chelmsford.anglican.org.
This article is taken from the latest edition of WePray.
