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Welcome to Ryde United Reformed Church
Corbett/Upton Road, Haylands, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
‘TELL US ABOUT PILOTS’
It is a week-night activity for boys and girls and the young people.
It seeks to support and develop the work and worship that takes place on Sundays.
It is a national organisation catering for 5 -17 year olds and we all meet in 'Beechgrove' the big house on our church site.
It is also an ecumenical organisation. It is sponsored by the United Reformed Church and the Congregational Federation, but it is open to churches of other denominations.
Pilots promise to ..
‘learn, pray and serve all I can with the world-wide Church of Jesus Christ'
Our Pilots Team can be contacted for more information or for programme schedules by email to
‘WHAT DO PILOTS DO?’
PILOTS |
Has a nautical flavour. This is because it grew out of an interest in the mission of the church in the South Pacific and because ships have long been associated with the Church and its work in the world. A PILOTS company thinks of itself as a ship. Each meeting is called an ‘All Aboard’. The company could have separate sections for the different ages. Deckhands, Adventurers, Voyagers and Navigators | ||||||||||
DECKHANDS |
For boys and girls who join when they are 5 and 6 years old. |
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ADVENTURERS |
who involved in a programme which encourages them to grow and develop by working for Crests in various areas of life. | ||||||||||
VOYAGERS |
They continue to explore the core elements of LEARNING, WORSHIP and SERVICE through a programme appropriate to their age. | ||||||||||
NAVIGATORS |
Some within this group may wish to have training in leadership and so become Auxiliary Officers in their company. | ||||||||||
THE PROGRAMME |
This is very flexible and adaptable. The core elements are LEARNING, WORSHIP and SERVICE. | ||||||||||
ACTIVITIES |
Include worship,
games (particularly table tennis, darts, snooker,
draughts etc during the autumn term) and graded
‘tests’ to help the Pilots fulfil the promise
and develop skills and talents. A Service Record Card is
completed every year and Adventurers work towards gaining
‘Crests’ for these and the other sections work
for ‘Seals’. Pilots are encouraged to
participate fully in the life of the local church.
The Overseas Crest (Adventurers) or World Seal (other sections) is an annual project which helps Pilots to learn about the world-wide church. |
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UNIFORM |
PILOTS do not wear a uniform but, after enrolment, Pilots are given a badge bearing the ship symbol of the World Council of Churches and the ancient Christian ‘fish’ symbol used by many Christians today. (If they wish, Pilots can buy a T-shirt or sweatshirt carrying the emblem). | ||||||||||
FINANCE |
PILOTS normally pay a weekly subscription (currently 40p) and the Company pays annual affiliation fees to PILOTS HQ. | ||||||||||
COMPANY ALL ABOARDS |
Because of the
size of the Ryde Company all sections cannot meet at the
same time on a regular basis. During the year there are 5
occasions when there are Company All Aboards and
enrolments & promotions are held at these times and
parents, friends and members of the church congregation
are invited. These are:
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ENROLMENTS |
PILOTS are enrolled at the Company All Aboard following their attendance at four consecutive meetings | ||||||||||
CHURCH SERVICES |
PILOTS are expected to attend a church as often as possible and to attend this church on the Sunday identified as PILOTS SUNDAY (usually in July). | ||||||||||
THE STAFF |
This Church has adopted guidelines suggested by the national church following the introduction of the 1989 Children Act. These can be seen on request. Basically this ensures that all adults working with children have been ‘vetted’ by the local church and are encouraged to attend training workshops as often as possible. The Company is working to ensure that a first aider is available at all times. | ||||||||||
DISCIPLINE |
It is accepted that, from time to time, staff will need to take certain action to correct and/or control potentially volatile and/or abusive situations. A copy of the Company’s Discipline Procedures is available on request. | ||||||||||
REGISTRATION and HEALTH FORMS |
It is essential that the staff know about children with special needs and/or other health problems e.g. asthma, epilepsy, diabetes. Each member is given a form to complete which is kept in the register and referred to when necessary. The staff would appreciate parents co-operation to ensure that these forms are always kept up to date. |
