Mental health and the pressures of school life are among the topics that young Methodists have told the Church they would like support and guidance with. 
 

After gathering at the 3Generate event, attended by more than 500 young people aged 8-23 and their leaders, three manifestos have been produced highlighting issues concerning young people in the Methodist Church today which has been backed up with further research. 

Other issues raised include poverty, the refugee crisis and the positive tackling of extremism. 

The manifestoes will be presented to the 2017 Methodist Conference, taking place in Birmingham in June. 

Tim Annan, Youth President of the Methodist Church commented: "The Methodist Church has a wonderful tradition of actively listening to its members, including its young people. These statements should make important reading for all Methodists across the Connexion. 
 

"Young people are an integral part of the Church today and these are the issues they are talking about which are affecting us as Methodist people now. 

"The church has an important job in helping people grow in their faith and to provide the support that we all need to explore and discuss these issues from a Christian and a Methodist perspective." 

Penny Fuller, Church and Community Development Co-ordinator, commented:, "The world can be a very difficult place for people of all ages to navigate, especially at the moment. Young people don't just want to understand the world; they want to take an active role in seeking solutions to its problems. 

"Children and young people are calling for the Church to support them and work with them to make change happen. They are speaking out about how, as individuals, they want to become 'Agents of Change' and work alongside the wider Church and their communities to create a better, fairer world based on Christian and Methodist values."

3Generate 2017 is going to be held at Pontins Camp in Southport,. 24-26 November 2017. Youth Leaders and Children's workers will be accompanying and caring for their groups at the event, and individuals not part of a group will be encouraged to attend with others from their District.

Full details of the manifestos can be found here.

Notes:

3Generate, the Methodist Children & Youth Assembly, is an action-packed weekend for hearing the voices of children and young people across the Methodist Church, focusing on fun, faith and friends.