Children lead special commissioning service

A special commissioning service planned and led by children in the diocese has taken place at Truro Cathedral.

It had been meticulously planned by more than 40 young people, between the ages of eight and 11, from church schools across the Diocese of Truro.

Planning for the service took place earlier in the month and was the first time pupils, who are worship leaders in their different schools, met together to accomplish such a task. They discussed their ideas and pieced the service together using the four core elements of school worship – gathering, engaging, responding and sending.

The planning time was framed around a question set to them by Simon Robinson, Dean of Truro Cathedral; ‘What is it you need from the adults who work in and around your school?’

During the service, children shared their answers to the question and called on the adults from their schools to pledge to be all that they needed them to be.

Scarlett, speaking from the pulpit, said: “We come here today for our service of commissioning as a family of schools. We are going to give thanks for the talents and gifts you bring to our schools and give time for you to think about your calling to work in our schools.”

“We are going to give thanks for the talents and gifts you bring to our schools

and give time for you to think about your calling to work in our schools.”

Martha, another pupil, also took to the pulpit and asked the adults to stand.

She said: “You have heard from us what we need from you as the adults who have been called to work in and around our schools. Are you willing to be commissioned and commit to being everything we need you to be?”

In response, the grown-ups wrote their pledges on leaves and then hung them on a tree in front of the congregation.

These pledges were blessed by Bishop Hugh Nelson, Bishop of Truro Rt Revd David Williams blessed all those who were gathered.

Bishop David Williams said: “This has been an amazing morning. Thank you to all those who have been involved.”

He praised the children for creating the service by turning ‘good ideas’ into ‘wise ideas’ and invited them back to lead again in the future.

“I’m so proud of the pupils who put this together so beautifully.” – Lee Moscato

Lee Moscato, Diocesan Director of Education, said: “I’m so proud of the pupils who put this together so beautifully.  For me, this was more than simply commissioning those in our schools, this was more than that.  For me, this was us, intentionally and authentically giving our young people a space and time in which to speak – for us to hear their voice.  Our task now is to intentionally and authentically listen. That’s the task – that’s what we’ve been commissioned by them to do.”

The Very Revd Simon Robinson, Dean of Truro and Rector of St Mary’s, Truro, said: “It was such a joy to welcome children and school leaders from across the diocese to the cathedral.

“The service of commissioning was fantastic, made more so because it was created and led by the children themselves.

“The children told the assembled adults what they needed and expected from them in their schools to ensure that they feel safe, learn lots and thrive.

“This setting of expectations and the following pledges made were simply beautiful and an example of how important it is to listen to the voices of children as co-creators in their school lives.”