5 minutes with…Julie Ridden

Julie is working for the Uniting Church Presbytery of WA as the Children, Families, Youth and Young Adult Co-ordinator. This role involves co- ordinating the Uniting Generations Network, sourcing information for congregations, visiting congregations, preaching, talking with church leaders about ministry to the younger generations, being an advocate for young people and the intergenerational church, providing resource links and ideas, promoting events for younger generations in our churches and working with the Uniting Centre for Education and Formation (UCEF) to provide education in this area. Julie is also a candidate for ministry.

What led you to your current role in the Uniting Church?

I have a long history in children’s ministry, beginning at the age of fifteen which ultimately led to becoming the Children and Families Pastor at Nedlands. I have been involved in the Uniting Generations Network since its inception because I believe it is very impLorem ipsum ortant that we help each other to grow in our ministry to young people. It became important as a Candidate that I experience the diversity of the Uniting Church. Being in this role enables me to use the skill sets I have to help congregations while I learn more about the Uniting Church here in WA.

What is something you would like the church to know about ministry with children, youth and young adults?

Please, please, please talk to the children and young people we have. Ask them how they would like to serve, how do they learn best and what would help them to feel comfortable in inviting others to church. The Health Department said it best – Act Belong Commit. If we want younger generations to commit to Christ and the body of Christ (the church), they need to feel that they belong and have an active role in the church, which includes being heard.

Also, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. We need more people willing to be a part of children, youth and young adult ministry. Too often it gets left to a few in the church, which can lead to burnout of those volunteers, and our young people become connected to a few individuals not the church.

When you’re not working, what’s your favourite way to spend your time?

I love making cards, reading books and doing cross stitch. Also having a coffee with a friend is a great way to spend the day.

Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s next on your bucket list?

I haven’t got a bucket list as I don’t have a very adventurous personality, but I would like to get back to Ningaloo. It’s a place I love and I have not been to for many years. I am thankful to all the people who have fought to protect the area from development.

What’s your favourite book or movie, and what makes it special to you?

I love the French film Un long dimanche de fiançailles or in English, A Very Long Engagement. It is a powerful story about the
destructiveness of war and the miracle of faithful love. It is quirky and funny in places and tragic in its depiction of the realities of life in the World War 1 trenches. It tells the tale of a young girl searching for her fiancé after the war and it’s a roller coaster ride, as her hopes rise and fall with new information. I love the way it was filmed in sepia tones to match the photographs of the era and it has a beautiful soundtrack.

What’s your favourite quote or expression?

At the moment I love and use this quote from our current Uniting Church President, Rev Charissa Suli, from an interview she did with ABC Pacific Radio – “Gospel trumps culture.” This was in response to a question as to the importance of her Tongan cultural heritage. She went on further to explain that culture and traditions are important but if they are preventing the furthering the gospel, then traditions need to give way for the gospel to flourish.