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AUGUST 2018

Resiliency: We have the best opportunities in our churches to support our young people and actually all ages with their mental health and wellbeing. Building up resiliency helps people face all kinds of life challenges. The more confidence you have the better chance you have to come through as positively as possible. Research shows that the following factors, which are our bread and butter, can help people become more resilient: having a sense of belonging, a sense of value that's affirmed, a positive outlook and faith, and being are part of a mutually supportive community ( a support circle). I also learnt today that the more children learn, the more capable they feel, which of course makes sense but this is key for us to take note of as this is such an opportunity for us. As we have so many avenues to help teach our tamariki new skills. Give them opportunities to learn, to trial, to fail and to succeed in a safe environment, this in turn can help them navigate their way through this ever changing world. Check out out our Youth page HERE for more information.

Prayer Resource Loving seeing the clever resources you are all busy creating! Here is one that Jono Craig from EPIC, Waipukurau has designed and is happy if you want to use it in your context.

This year I came across the Heartache prayer event www.heartacheforyouth.nz and we decided to run with it, we made up these prayer cards based on the information from the website. The week before Prayer cards were handed out to parishioners, each card had a theme that a young person may be struggling with, things like; Brokenness, Suicide, Anxiety/Fear. They were asked to take them away and reflect on the struggles with the prompts on the card pray about it and then write a encouragement for the young person struggling with that issue on the blank side of the card.
On the Friday night after youth group we held a prayer event where youth and church members got together to pray and write the encouragements.
The cards were then collected in and we created a ‘take what you need’ wall, which youth walk past every time they come, where they can take one of the encouragements away with them as they need it.

Such an awesome way to help enable to congregation to engage with young people in prayer. These moments help teach all involved so much about prayer. Let's all find opportunities to invite all of our church to prayer together for each other! Find the resources here.

It was really cool to have youth and adults from our church praying together, encouraging for our youth that there are adults in our community who will come out at 9.30 at night to pray for them (shows they care). And encouraging for our church to see the next generation getting involved! - Jono

Introducing our new Taranaki Enabler We are excited to announce our newest addition to our Presbytery Central Youth Ministry Team; Jared Dixon.

Kia Ora Taatou,

I am delighted to be appointed as the new Taranaki Regional Youth Ministry Enabler.

In my 12 years of ministry I've always had a desire for God's call to the younger generation of Aotearoa.
My passion is for discipleship, God's mission, and for proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My wife and I with our 2 year old son are based in Waitara and are currently involved in pioneering a new church expression with the Anglican Diocese the other days of the week.

I'm really looking forward to meeting you all and hearing about the amazing things God is doing with you and your young people.

Blessings Jared Dixon

If your in Taranaki get in contact with him and catch up! He'd love to meet you!

Connect what an incredible weekend! Thank you to all who came and joined us at El Rancho. We had the biggest group out of all the Presbyteries!!! Go Central! And a massive shout out to our whanau at Knox Waitara for leading us in inspiring worship.

STAY IN THE LOOP!

In order to stay up to date with what's happening with Presbytery Central Youth, like our Facebook page, join our leaders' group and keep an eye on our website. Keep these dates free in your calendars:

Transformers Plus 24-26th August

Things your wondering about? Want to sit down face to face? Give us a call, we'd love to meet up!

Jared Dixon
Taranaki
jared@pym.org.nz,
022 329 8947

Rebecca Wilcox
Wairarapa - Wellington
rebecca.wilcox@presbyterycentral.org.nz, rebecca@pym.org.nz
027 389 2313

Jasmin Vanderwerff
Whanganui - Marton
jasmin.v@presbyterycentral.org.nz, jasmin@pym.org.nz
027 353 5753

Nga Rolston
Team Leader to the Presbytery Central Youth Ministry Team
nga.rolston@presbyterycentral.org.nz, nga@pym.org.nz
027 653 4257