Inspiring Leadership in Youth & Children’s Ministry
beHeld
beHeld is for all those working and serving in Youth and Children’s Ministry across Scotland.
We hope to inspire, equip and encourage you in the work you are doing with children and young people.
This will be a space for you to receive, through prayer, worship and teaching, so that you might go out with confidence to serve children, young people and families across Scotland.
beHeld is about gathering people who are passionate about leading children and young people to a deeper faith in Jesus, helping children and young people to become whole-life disciples of Jesus, and supporting children and young people to find community and belonging.
We long for all children and young people in Scotland to be seen, heard and known.
Saturday 21 March
believe - Creative Biblical Exploration with Fiona Stewart
belong - Trauma-Informed with Cathy Richards & Sarah McDowall
Saturday 23 May
become - Digital Awareness with James Rogers
belong - Positive Reinforcement: Behaviour Strategies with Gill Barclay
Saturday 26 September
become - Identity & Belonging with Rachel Gardner
belong - Worship with Kids & Teens: Raising the Spiritual Temperature with Sam Hibbard
Saturday 28 November
believe - Growing Faith in Kids & Teens with Tim Alford
belong - Neurodiversity with Aurelie Norman
Our Host
Rachel Cooney
Rachel is the Director of Children’s Ministry at Ps & Gs Church, and a Trustee on the Board of Directors for Scripture Union Scotland.
She is passionate about outdoor learning, play-based learning, social justice, discipleship, leadership, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to encounter Jesus.
Rachel is hosting our series of beHeld Training Events for all those working and serving in Youth and Children’s Ministry.
Our Speakers for Saturday 21 March
Fiona Stewart
Fiona is the UK Lead for the Evangelical Alliance Public Leaders programme, and a writer and broadcaster. She hosts The Outspoken Bible podcast for Scottish Bible Society and, having worked in the arts and media for over 20 years, delights in helping individuals and organisation improve their communication, and in finding beautiful words to convey ideas.
Fiona will be leading our seminar in March for believe - Creative Biblical Exploration.
Cathy Richards
Cathy is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and led NHS Lothian’s CAMHS Psychology service for over 20 years. A former CAMHS Advisor for the Scottish Government, Cathy was appointed as Chair of the National Eating Disorders Network by the Minister for Mental Health in 2023. Cathy holds an honorary Chair at the University of Edinburgh. Cathy has worshipped at Ps & Gs in Edinburgh for 30 years. She is part of the Ps & Gs Children’s Ministry team and loves being part of the Church family.
Cathy will be coleading our seminar in March for belong - Trauma-Informed Practice.
Sarah McDowall
Sarah is a Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology who has been working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for six years. Sarah splits her time between a community outpatient team where she works with children and young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, and a specialist early intervention service for children and young people with epilepsy. Sarah has been a member of Ps & Gs and the Children's Ministry team for over a decade. Sarah served as a Children's Ministry Intern where she began delivering training sessions to support Children's and Youth Ministry teams across Scotland to make their programmes more inclusive for neurodivergent and care experienced children.
Sarah will be coleading our seminar in March for belong - Trauma-Informed Practice.