YOUNGSTERS working on new church projects have met with the Methodist President.

On Saturday, September 16 the Yorkshire West District held its induction day for the first cohort of their new ONE Opportunity Programme.

The President of the Conference, the Rev Michaela Youngson and the Yorkshire West District Chair, the Rev Dr Roger Walton, joined the group for worship and conversation.

Held at Christchurch, Ilkley, and catered for by the church café, the day included the sharing of hopes and fears, project ideas and Communion.

The ONE Opportunity Programme is designed to encourage, recognise and reward the participation of young people within the Yorkshire West District in the church’s life and mission.

It gives them the opportunity to be involved on a part-time basis in the development of the mission and ministry of their local churches.

The new participants come from all parts of the district including Bradford, Calderdale, Liversedge, Huddersfield and Pontefract and are aged from 16 to 22.

Their projects include art sessions, the establishment of a gospel choir, sports programme for youngsters, befriending older people in a café environment and work with youngsters in their transition from Junior to Secondary school and the emotional aspects that this involves.

The young people were accompanied on the day by their Project Enablers who will help and support them in their local church or circuit projects.

A spokesman said: “There was a wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement by these young people throughout the day as they started this journey together through this first Yorkshire West ONE Opportunity year.”