The Youth President
The Youth President of the Methodist Church
The Youth President is elected annually by both the children and young people attending 3Generate, the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly, and from across the Connexion. This way, all our children and young people have an opportunity to vote for who will be their Youth President. Assisted by a team of Youth Representatives, they work full-time for one year as a member of the Connexional Team (Connexion is what we call the work of the Church across Britain) to serve the children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain.
They are not part of the formal governance of the Methodist Church in Britain, but act as the voice of children and young people across the Church and beyond.
Their duties include:
- Visiting children and young people across the Connexion to hear their views on issues
- Encouraging, enabling and advocating for children and young people to be fully involved in all aspects of the life of the Church
- Ensuring the voice of children and young people, their needs, issues and concerns, are considered by leaders and decision-making bodies in all levels of the Church
- Acting as a spokesperson for, and a channel for the voices of, young Methodists both within and outside the Church
- Hosting 3Generate
- Being a member of various committees
- Writing and presenting their report to the Methodist Conference
To see what Gracie is getting up to throughout the year, you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram or X.
You can also email her direct on youthpresident@methodistchurch.org.uk.
Gracie Silk
Youth President 2026/2027
"Hi, I'm Gracie and I was elected by children and young people across the Connexion to be your Youth President from September 2026 to August 2027.
I’m 20 years old and a member of Melbourne Methodist Church in south Derbyshire. I have been attending a Methodist Church all my life and have been actively involved in the church community from a young age. I have served in a variety of roles, including being part of the worship team and supporting children through Holiday Clubs and Junior Church.
I am passionate about helping young people grow in their faith and develop a sense of belonging within the church. I have been studying Theology and Mission, (Children, Youth and Families) at Cliff College. The community at Cliff helped shape my faith and encouraged me in all aspects of life, church and discernment.
As a part of my degree, I also worked alongside another student as a Youth Worker at Trinity Bramley Methodist Church near Leeds, where I gained valuable experience supporting and encouraging young people in their faith journeys. I have developed a strong passion for serving children, young people, and families within the Methodist Church.
One of the things I am most excited for is meeting lots of different children and young people sharing in faith and laughter, as I begin to listen to their stories, hearing what they value in the Church and the world.
Children and young people often have ideas and things that they want to achieve, that no one knows about, because they haven’t been asked or because they were never considered in the first place. I’m excited to ask these questions and find out more about young people in churches across the connexion.
Outside of church on of my biggest passions is musical theatre and you will often find me singing and dancing, or if I’m not doing that, you’ll probably find me having fun with my friends and family."
Five questions with Gracie
We sat down with Gracie to ask her more about being our Youth President...
What are you hoping to achieve during your year as Youth President?
I’m hoping to meet lots of children and young people from around the Connexion and have deep meaningful conversations.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Put God first, and the rest will follow.
Where would you would love to visit?
I would love to visit Canada, the beauty of creation is so amazing and it’s been a part of the world I have always wanted to see.
What dessert would you be and why?
I’d be a lemon drizzle cake because I’m positive, energetic and hope to brighten people’s day.
What bible character do you relate most to and why?
I relate to Mary because she trusted God even when she didn't understand His plan and that is what I’m learning to do!
Find out more about...
Youth President Elections 2026
Meet the candidates for Youth President 2027-28 and see how you can vote for them.
