Faith in Action Award

Principles of the Faith in Action AWARD FAITH - SERVICE - REFLECTION THANK YOU - The Award recognises young people’s service to God, the Church and others and gives ‘us’ a chance to say thank you. FLEXIBLE - Recognises the diverse Church in England and Wales ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE - From age Y6 - Y11, of any academic ability and from any faith background. Output is not necessarily academic RAISING ASPIRATION - Acknowledging good work and encouraging young people to do more REFLECTION – ongoing reflection of what they are doing and why HOME AND AWAY BASE - principle of service in two places

BENEFITS To celebrate the faith journey of young people To strengthen links between individuals, communities and organisations To explore the universal call to holiness Encourages school/parish links Completely inclusive - accessible by all participants Simple and powerful way of reflecting on active faith Enables outreach and inspires action Motivation for young people to do more

Core elements 4 reflection points in a minimum of two meetings and must cover a minimum of six hours Each reflection point must cover God’s story, Church story and personal story Gaining credits for service in two or more places after pin level Final piece of work must be submitted Young person must journal throughout the award showing service and reflection on it Some celebration at the end of the award

Who is it for? Y6 - Y11 Primary School Secondary School Parish Youth Groups Pre/Post Confirmation Groups

HOW IT WORKS There are fours levels of award: Pin, Bronze, Silver and Gold Participants are expected to accrue credits of service in parish/school and the wider community The scheme involves the opportunity for both guided and personal reflection, through journaling Participants submit a final piece of work for moderation – this includes their journal and record card

REFLECTION

Reflection Points 4 reflection point titles based on love and service 1. We are loved 2. Loving our neighbour 3. Building the Kingdom of God 4. Servant Leadership The suggested length for each reflection point is 90 minutes Reflection points can be split to fit in with you but there is a minimum requirement of two reflection sessions per year

Reflection Points Start with participants’ experience Explore Sacred Scripture (God’s story) Consider the lives of exemplar Christians (The Church’s Story) Reflect on what all of the above says about faith (The Church’s Story) Consider what all of the above is saying to ‘me’ (My Story)

Award Levels

Pin Award: Discovery At this early stage, participants will begin a journey of discovering what it means for faith to be active. This level is designed to be completed as a group/class, instilling the idea of working together as a community. In this way, participants will become aware that others around them are on the same journey of discovery.

Expectations and examples 20 home credits, 0 away credits Age range: Y6 (age 10-11) Completed as a group or class Led by teacher/youth leader/catechist Examples of service: Fundraising in school/parish; Working together on an assembly Putting together charity hampers; Shoebox appeal

Bronze Award: Service Participants at Bronze Level take the initial steps in responding to their faith, by way of serving others. At this stage, participants will begin to gain a deeper understanding of how faith is interlinked with service. The Bronze Award encourages participants to become involved in their parish/school/wider community, helping them to understand that their faith and action not only makes them belong to/in a community, but also makes them responsible for the well being of all others who belong.

Expectations and examples 20 home credits, 10 away credits Age range: Y7+ (age 11 onwards) Participants make their own decisions about what service they would like to do Examples of service: minister of the Word; altar server; serving tea and coffee after Mass; plan and participate in a liturgy/reflection; Visit a care home

Silver Award: Leadership This level encourages a maturity of faith which is expressed in terms of leadership and initiative. Participants at this level should be able to recognise that serving others is a direct consequence of their faith and their desire to do God’s will. In addition to meeting the criteria required for the Bronze Award, participants should be making the best use of their gifts and talents by leading others for the good of the wider community.

Expectations AND Examples 20 home credits, 15 away credits Age range: Y8+ (age 12 onwards) Independent organisation and evidence of leadership Examples of service: leading children’s liturgy; organising a parish social event; regularly volunteer for a charity, e.g. CAFOD, HCPT

Gold Award: Innovation The essence of the Gold Award is found in the participant’s desire to develop and establish new ideas in terms of outreach and missionary work on behalf of the Church community. Participants will be required to complete acts of service outside of existing parish/school structures, which demands a greater level of innovation. This level promotes spiritual and personal growth, and challenges participants to be true missionary disciples.

expectations and Examples 20 home credits, 20 away credits Age range: Y10 and Y11 Independent organisation and leadership Evidence of innovation and development Evidence of commitment through regular participation/acts of service Examples of service: initiate, plan and organise an act of collective worship; organise and lead a FIA fundraiser/activity

Record of Service

“The Faith in Action Award gave me the chance to explore my faith in a more intimate way with those around me. MY experience taught me leadership, determination and most of all, new ways to love.” Charlotte

Journaling, Final Piece of Work and Moderation Provided that the participant has engaged properly with the scheme and has been well-led through the reflection points, with a well kept journal, there should be no question of passing or failing Final piece can be a video, poem, written reflection, song If written, it should be no more than two sides of A4 paper As creative as possible Reflects experience and understanding Shows integration of experience, learning, reflection and faith Is a springboard for the participant to do more Final pieces of work are moderated, not marked.

ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Identify work for credits

ANNUAL Process Recruit for Earn a new year Credits Earn More Credits Identify work for credits Record Card Updating Earn even more Credits

ANNUAL Process Recruit for Earn a new year Credits Reflection Point(s) 1 and 2 Earn More Credits Identify work for credits Record Card Updating Reflection Point(s) 3 and 4 Earn even more Credits Journaling

ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection Point(s) 1 and 2 Earn More Credits Identify work for credits Record Card Updating Reflection Point(s) 3 and 4 Final Piece of Work Earn even more Credits Journaling

ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection Point(s) 1 and 2 Earn More Credits Identify work for credits Record Card Updating Reflection Point(s) 3 and 4 Final Piece of Work Earn even more Credits Moderation Journaling

ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection Point(s) 1 and 2 Earn More Credits Identify work for credits Record Card Updating Reflection Point(s) 3 and 4 Final Piece of Work Earn even more Credits Moderation Award Ceremony Journaling

Glossary - People AWARDING AUTHORITY (AA) The organisers of the Award, who register with CYMFed. (This is YMT) AWARD CO-ORDINATOR Cor-ordinator of the Award for the AA. This person will liaise with CYMFed and the Award leaders for each PO. (Mary and Tony) PARTICIPATING ORGANISATION (PO) A school or parish who are taking part in the Award. A PO registers with their Awarding Authority. (Your school or parish) AWARD LEADER The person who co-ordinates and leads the Award within the PO. (You)

Award Presentation

AWARD PRESENTATION We would recommend that the award ceremony is done at a Partnership level if possible This is the opportunity to bring everyone together (parishes, schools, organisations, Parents etc.) to celebrate the achievements of the young people Interviewing a few of the participants who will reflect on their experiences is a very powerful addition to the ceremony Medals to be ordered through YMT 2 months before they are needed

What do you need and where to find it Record Card Participating Organisation Registration Form Order Form for Badges and Certificates https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth- resources/CYMFED-Faith-in-Action-Award https://cymfed.org.uk/faithinaction/ https://www.beinspirational.co.uk – Nottingham http://www.animateyouth.org/faith-in-action/ - Liverpool http://www.bromleydeanery.org/faith-in-action-award-scheme- 2018/ - Bromley

Faith in action vs john Paul ii award Reflection points as a group are key to the FiA Award Progression through Pin, Bronze, Silver, Gold over the years Younger children so more supervision over the activities Two (or more) centre work for FiA, Home and Away FiA Awards to year 6 to year 11 in our Diocese FiA is locally based and managed (parish, school, partnership) Moderation needs; Record of Service, Journal and Final piece of Work

Questions