January 2020 edition of the Youth Update... ideas, events and resources for youth ministry...

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Happy New Year!
As life returns to 'normal' have a look through this mailing which hopefully will spark some useful ideas or training events which might serve your youth ministry.
God bless, Simon

Simon Hill Youth Officer
01905 732824
shill@cofe-worcester.org.uk

Could you help provide chaplaincy in FE colleges?

The West Midlands FE Council has produced some great videos which explain the way chaplaincy can serve local colleges and provide an important ministry to 16-19 year-olds. You can read more about it on our diocesan website here and watch the videos below. If you'd like to get more involved, please be in touch.

What is FE Chaplaincy? Click here for more videos from West Midlands FE Council

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Our friends at Young Solutions were delighted to be awarded funding from the Worcestershire County Council, Community Solutions Fund to be able to offer FREE training to staff and volunteers of voluntary sector organisations throughout Worcestershire working with children, young people and families.

Voluntary sector organisations are often best placed to spot when things start to go wrong or be the first port of call when things do go wrong and therefore by investing in the personal development and support of staff and volunteers working with children, young people and families, we can look to develop knowledge, skills and understanding.

This approach is looking to increase community capacity and reduce future demand on services with the ultimate aim to see more children and young people achieving their full potential in education and being fully prepared to live happy, healthy, independent and prosperous adult lives.

Courses available:

Safeguarding and Trauma Informed Approach Training
Motivational Interviewing Training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Adults Training

We are a member organisation for Young Solutions and so are able to book places on these courses, even if you are from the Dudley borough. If you are interested and would like to book a place on one of these courses, please contact Simon in the first instance.

Spree West Midlands 2020

Bookings open on 10th January!

Spree is a fully organised weekend for you and your group. It's packed full of brilliant activities from dawn to dusk. There are age-appropriate sessions where the Christian faith is explained in a way that's engaging and relevant. At Spree West Midlands there's a choice of lodges or you can bring your own tents.
This year, we are back to the Blackwell Adventure site near Bromsgrove.

Age: 8 to 16 years with opportunities for 16+ to join the Spree Enabling Team to help serve throughout the weekend.
Cost: Camping (using own tents) £55, Tented Village (pre-erected Tents) £70, Podded Village (wooden pods) £75.
Once bookings open, weekend places can be reserved for a deposit of £20 until 1st April.

We do not want the cost to be in any way prohibitive to young people, so do get in touch if you'd like more information about the bursaries-scheme for subsidised places.Click here for more information.

Faith Formation in a Secular Age

Can I recommend this podcast from a recent Church Times interview. It features Nick Shepherd and Andrew Root in conversation. In a wide-ranging discussion, they talk about issues such as attendance stats, the lack of children and young people in churches, what to make of religious experience, and how to minister in a secular age.
It particularly resonates with the national Church of England's 'Setting God's People Free' initiative and also the Growing Faith agenda. I'd love to know what you think!

A reminder about the upcoming Youth Evangelism Conference...

This year, Bristol has been added as a third venue for this day conference to equip and inspire leaders to reach young people.

Keynote speakers are;

A teenage evangelist
Laura Hancock
Mark Ritchie

Our theme is "For the love of God," exploring how God's love through the Gospel transform us, our young people and our communities. There are some good discounts available on tickets before the end of the month.

This event is ideal both for any budding young evangelists or for parents / youth leaders keen to share and learn new ways to engage in faith conversations with teenagers. Click on the image for more info and tickets.

New Resources...

Lectio 365

Written by leaders from the 24-7 Prayer movement, and produced in partnership with CWR, this resource helps you engage with Scripture to inspire prayer and shape your life.

Journey through the year with Pete Greig, Carla Harding, Phil Togwell, Jill Weber and international guest writers.

- AN ANCIENT PRACTICE -

Lectio 365 is inspired by Lectio Divina, a way of meditating on the Bible that’s been used by Christians for centuries.

- P.R.A.Y. -

Each day, Pause to be still. Rejoice with a Psalm and Reflect on Scripture. Ask for God’s help, and Yield to His will in your life.

- SIX PRACTICES -

Each week focuses on one of 24-7 Prayer’s core values - six practices that help us live like Jesus - prayer, mission, justice, creativity, hospitality and learning.

- ANNUAL RHYTHMS -

We’ll focus on seasons like Advent and Lent with special guest writers from around the world.

- READ OR LISTEN ON THE GO -

Both text and audio options are available and you can download up to a week in advance to read or listen to later.