The Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, acting Bishop of Edmonton, has led a service for the licensing of Damien Hine as the Youth and Schools’ Worker at St Paul’s Finchley.
The service took place in the Chapel of Wren Academy, a Church of England Secondary School in north Finchley, and was attended by the vicar of his new church, the Revd Nicholas Pye; the Secondary Principal of Wren, Gavin Smith; the Chaplain of Wren, David Booker; the Deputy Lieutenant for Barnet, Martin Russell; as well as staff and students of Wren, including some members of St Paul’s Finchley.
Damien brings a wealth of experience to this new role, being a trained youth worker with Church Army, a national Christian organisation which works throughout the UK to help provide support for people in their local communities. Within Church Army, Damien had a strong focus on youth projects and ministry, where he spent the last three years involved with Sorted, an exciting initiative which helps to connect the church to young people in Bradford – while also offering them mentoring and support when needed.
In his new capacity as the Youth and Schools’ worker at St Paul’s, Damien will work specifically with the already active youth group through running activities and helping members to explore and deepen their Christian faith. He will also focus on launching a specialist youth congregation – drawing on his significant experience of running Christian based youth projects from his time in Bradford. As part of his work, Damien will spend one day a week in Wren Academy, where he will help to mentor students, assist in running the Christian Union and lead collective worship for tutor groups.
Damien Hine said:
“I’m really looking forward to taking up my new post at St Paul’s, being so encouraged by the passion the church has for sharing the Christian faith with young people. The range and quality of the children and youth ministry that has been developed over the last five years, both in the church and in local primary schools, is impressive and I am excited about the possibilities of building on this solid foundation to enable the church to develop a thriving work among young people.”
The Revd Nicholas Pye, Vicar of St Paul’s, said:
“I am very excited by Damien’s appointment and believe he has the necessary skills and experience to help us develop a thriving youth ministry through retaining the young people we have and reaching out to young people in the Finchley community.”
Bishop Pete Broadbent said:
“The Church of England in London is seeking to grow its engagement with young people as part of our five year plan – Capital Vision 2020.
Damien’s appointment is greatly to be welcomed – and is expressive of the partnerships we seek to build between our schools and our churches.”