Welcome
to the first monthly Youth E-newsletter! I’d hoped that this
project would have a snappy title, but I’m afraid that that has so far
eluded me. Suggestions on a postcard please! In a way, I suppose that I
shouldn’t be too surprised given that the newest groups to be added to
the churches list of youth activities have taken the names ‘Monday
Night Club’ and ‘Maths Group’.
Monday Night Club recently took a break for Easter, but the weeks running up to Easter were very tasty ones! We made peppermint creams at the start of the month and this was followed by chocolatey prizes at the end of a rather tricky treasure hunt around the church premises. The following week entailed Easter activities which culminated in the annual fun of an Easter egg hunt. Most recently, we have made door hangers with messages ranging from “Keep Out!” to “I love Wolves FC”! Each week we have a short talk about Christianity and we have recently been looking at different ways to pray.
Friday Night Club recently took part in a murder mystery. Five leaders and helpers played the parts of the wife and sons of a murdered Lord of the Manor, as well as the chef and the inevitable butler. The young people enjoyed interviewing the cast and one group even solved the incredibly complex puzzle! Interestingly, in this case the butler didn’t do it. We’ve also taken time out in the last two weeks to discuss the significance of Easter, with many of the members having big questions and interesting answers.
The Max also enjoyed an Easter egg hunt – in fact they were probably more excited than MNC! They have also recently taken part in a ‘Dinner on the Move’ – an activity where they ate dinner in the evening, but had to travel to a new venue between courses. The soup was served at the church before a walk to the Bowermans’ for pasta bake with garlic bread and salad. Luckily they saved a little room for ice cream before the evening ended back at the church. Special thanks to Helen, Hugh and Sarah, without whom we couldn’t have had the enjoyable evening that we did. The group is already asking for another one!
Youth Club
has recently taken part in activities
ranging from computer
games to Scrabble and from football to badminton. The girls decided
that their group was underrepresented on the Kabin walls and so made a
large poster about the group for the “graffiti wall”. The wall now
represents all 4 youth clubs – do come and have a look!
Maths Group
restarted in January. Attendance has
been good, though I
have found myself struggling more with the material as the members of
the group have moved on from GCSE to A-Level courses. A further recent
challenge has been that the members attend two different colleges and
so are studying topics in different orders. A great joy from the group
has been that I have been able to keep in contact with some of the
young people who had left Youth Club, a few of whom have returned on
Friday evenings.
Sunday Night Group
continues to take part in a wide
range of
activities. We are supporting Chernobyl Children’s LifeLine this year
and we raised £40 from a cake sale after the parade service – many
thanks to all who bought our wares. We have also enjoyed a Fairtrade
tasting, team building games and a debate on abortion.
YPF are working through the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Patience, kindness and goodness have been our most recent topics, each session ending with a chance to reflect on how we can develop that Fruit in our own lives, with God’s help. Any member coming to our next session with the Fruits all memorised will win a bar of Dairy Milk!
I am looking forward to departing on Saturday with the group from the church to go to Spring Harvest. We’re hoping that we’ll be bringing back the trophy from the netball tournament as well as a greater understanding of God. The theme of the week is One Hope and we’ll be thinking about what it means to have a sure and certain hope in a changing world of uncertainties. Personally, I’m also looking forward to meeting other youth workers and observing some of the youth sessions to gain some new ideas.
As the Spring Holiday draws to a close and the
schools and youth clubs
restart, I’ll be holding a meeting at the church to discuss the effect
of Sunday morning clubs (football, cricket etc) on the church. We’ll be
hearing from those who are currently affected and thinking about ways
in which we can creatively solve this problem. All are welcome – I’d
love for there to be a wide range of views represented at this exciting
venture. We’ll be meeting at 8pm on April 21st in the Curtis Room. Do
let me know if you plan to come if you have not done so already.
Do pray for us all at Spring Harvest – for safe travel, refreshed spirits and great challenge.
As we start to talk about God more and more at the youth clubs, please pray that the young people would become more interested in all that He has to offer.
Please pray for the meeting on the 21st – that we will be able to find the best solution to a complex problem.
As I come to plan next term’s activities, I’d love to hear from anyone who has an unusual skill that they might be able to use to lead a group of young people in. Whether it is flower arranging or ice sculpting, pogo-sticking or ice cream making, do please let me know if you’d be interested in joining us for 90 minutes one evening.
I’d also like to hear from anyone in possession of a set (or more!) of juggling balls or clubs that I could borrow.
That’s the lot for this month. If you have any questions, queries, suggestions or feedback then do please reply to this message. I’d be glad to hear from you.