Our Youth worker

Tel.: 07973 298475
email: jen@stmarysashwell.org.uk

Hello! My name's Jen, and I've just moved to Hertfordshire to take up a position as youth worker for the parishes of Ashwell & Baldock.

I'm a Norfolk girl by birth; I grew up on the coast, with my mum, dad, sister & brother. All my life I've been part of the Church family, and as a young person growing up in a rural community I've experienced first-hand all the challenges this can bring. I've pondered the big questions (I continue to ponder them most days!) And I've been a teenager wondering what I really believe; where I fit into this thing called 'faith', and how I go about living it out.

My journey took me to the far reaches of darkest Leeds (on a gap year with the Oasis Trust) on which I worked with three Church fellowships to provide a programme for children & young people. It incited me to drop a position at university, in order to train to degree level in Youth Work & Ministry. I spent three years living in Gateshead with the Geordies, learning that if you want to be challenged by the great mysteries, work out how to be a Christian in the real world - and eat a lot of pizza - then spending time with young people is the way forward.

Young people have an important role in God's kingdom: they are a dynamic wealth of imaginative ideas; a fresh perspective, and a catalyst for action. But they need the support of their friends, families and communities as well. This isn't something that one person can provide.

In the short time I've been in both Baldock and Ashwell, I've been encouraged to find friendly and welcoming communities, who enjoy working together to share in the life that God intended for us. I'm very excited about working with everybody in the parishes - Church, schools, homes and communities - who have a heart to see young people building a relationship with God and knowing what it truly means to live life to the full.

God is at work in Baldock & Ashwell! I feel privileged to be a part of His plans here: I'm looking forward to discovering more of His heart for the community's young people and seeing the fulfilment of His potential in their lives.    

I'll also be attending services on a Sunday morning at Ashwell on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month, and at Baldock on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Do come and say hello to me; I'm new around here, and I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Be blessed;

Jen Brown