by Graham Tutthillgtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

The youth president of the Methodist Church has spoken of the importance of projects such as Cross-Links on Dover's Buckland Estate, being active in areas where there is a need for support.

Hayley Moss called in at the ecumenical centre in Sheridan Road on Thursday to see for herself how special activities are organised for children and young people who otherwise might have little to do in their spare time.

She is visiting various projects around the country during her year as the youth president of the Methodist Church, having been elected in September, and she was soon getting involved with the children at the Krafty Kids Club, as well as teenagers who had called in.

“It’s good to be able to see what different churches are doing and to share in some of their exciting stories,” said Hayley.

“It is key for the church to be in local communities such as this. The church needs to be there expressing God’s love in a very real, positive and practical way.”

While at Cross-Links Hayley also met Esther Salisbury, a One Programme Participant (OPP) who has been appointed to work at Cross-Links part-time for a year.

Esther, who is 17 and is taking A levels in philosophy, English literature, drama and general studies at Dover Girls’ Grammar School this summer, works at Cross-Links for nine hours a week, plus another six hours for Methodist connexional tasks, which mainly involves training.

And she has certainly made her mark on the activities that take place at Cross-Links.

As well as helping with children’s and youth groups including after-school clubs, she also ran Esther’s Christmas Club and Esther’s Easter Club, and she met other OPPs and shared her experiences at a 3 Generate children and youth assembly at Kidderminster in November.

Cross-Links is a partnership involving the Methodist and United Reformed churches as well as the Church of England, and it maintains close links with Dover Extended Schools, Dover District Children’s Centres and Green Park School.

Funding is provided by the Dover Deanery, Dover and Deal Methodist Circuit, URC Southern Synod, Dover Extended Schools, Dover District Children’s Centres (KCC) and the Church and Community Fund of the Church of England.

Full story in next week's Dover Mercury and for further details about Cross-Links, visit the website www.crosslinksdover.org.uk