Building on national research, this 24 hour residential conference will help churches encourage families on a journey of discipleship and faith.

Topics will include:

• Relationships with schools and toddler groups

• Telling the story and saying prayers at home

• Families, children and church

• Keeping in touch

• Understanding a new generation

With a mixture of plenary input and space to share good ideas and practice, the conference will help all who meet families and young children, whether through baptism, toddler group or school.

The programme is expected to be:

Day 1: 17th October

12.00 Registration opens

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Opening welcome and worship with renewal of promises – Mary Hawes

14.30 What we’ve learned so far: challenges and implications – Sandra Millar/ Liverpool Diocese

15.15 Break - access to rooms

16.00 Toe in the water [1]: Six simultaneous sessions for smaller groups, each 30 mins. Delegates will choose 3 sessions to attend

Children and church – Mary Hawes/Joe Moffatt: growing a congregation

Messy Church – Jane Leadbetter: a place to connect

Engaging families in worship - Rosemary Nixon, ROOTS for Churches

Communion – Nick Harding: taking part

Who let the Dads out – Mark Chester: a place to belong

Life Events and families: Sandra Millar: for those new to the national Life Events resources

17.45 Break and supper at 18.30

19.45 Plenary 2: Making waves: Opportunities for invitation, including Follow the Star, Godparents Sunday, baptism prep, the church year, the cultural year - with CofE digital team and others

21.00 Rest and relaxation

Day 2: 18th October

09.15 Ripples and reflections: thoughts so far

09.30 Toe in the Water [2] – Six simultaneous sessions for smaller groups, each 30 mins. Delegates will choose 3 sessions to attend.

Under 5s and worship: Mina Munns

Toddler Groups - Joanna Gordon

Faith at home – Yvonne Morris

Keeping in touch – Margaret Pritchard-Houston

Families into mission – Andy Kennedy

Who let the Dads out? – Mark Chester

11.15 Break

11.45 Plenary: 3 A drop in the ocean - Dave Male, leading into discussion

12.30 Eucharist – renewing our vows

13.00 Lunch and depart