 I’ve decided to write regular newsletters to keep you all informed with things happening in our youth ministry. There is this saying: “How long does it take to eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” (It’s a great saying – animal activists please don’t send me hate mail.)
I often think of this when it comes to time with our young people and introducing them to things of God. Each gathering, each youth session is “another bite” - another step closer to revelation of who God is in their lives.
God is busy using the Loft, and youth on Fridays and Sunday mornings. In this email you will find a breakdown and some recent highlights. Thank you to all the leaders who helped make all of this possible
One final verse comes to mind as I finish writing this newsletter:
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42: 7
In the ordinary, may you sense God in the depths of daily life.
Darrel Hofland
Youth Pastor
|
|
WANT TO JOIN US OR HELP US OUT?
Even if you can just run the tuck-shop on a Friday night, warm up croissants on a Sundaymorning or simply to be the “extra adult” in the room –
your help would be greatly appreciated.
Contact Darrel on: darrel.hofland@stmarysbletchley.org |
|
|
THE LOFT
We have new people in our group so that’s been great to have different voices and opinions added to the various discussions. At the end of September we joined the prayer week that the church took part in, it’s great to be part of the greater whole, and we turned the Church Hall into various prayer stations.
One of the prayer stations was called Postcards and Prayers. Here the young person had to grab a postcard as a prayer and then write out their prayer next to the picture. Some of those prayers were so moving.
|
|
FRIDAY YOUTH
During our usual Friday evening time together we have a time of free play where the youth have options of playing badminton, table tennis, 9-square, hockey, giant Jenga and even boardgames. We also have a mini tuck-shop running from the kitchen. Some of our adult leaders have some great discussions with our youth from the hatch: after all, sometimes, young people just need a listening ear.
The other week we had some fun with glowsticks where I took the photo that's on the right.
Two weeks back we set up a what3words treasure hunt where the youth had to go between SMCC, Rickley Park and the church grounds to find various locations and answer a question at each point.
Congrats to Sophie and Lottie, who finished the treasure hunt first!
|
|
|
The last week before half term, we took them to Gravity at the city centre. We had 27 young people in attendance! The photos may be a bit blurry, but they still capture the essence of joy from that night.
|
|
We end each Friday with a little “God slot” - just a brief discussion in little groups on various topics. And then we end with a Christian song that we play on the big screen. My prayer is simply that the words of the songs fall in their lives and stir something deep within.
|
|
|
As always, a massive thanks to my adult leaders who volunteer their time to help run Friday nights. I appreciate them massively!
|
|
SUNDAY YOUTH CHURCH
We’ve added some food at the start of Sundays now. it’s always so great to see the young people sitting together chatting about their weeks.
|
|
Recently we did a session on “Church is…”
They had to build a church with Jenga blocks and write what church is? I love the wisdom they shared, Especially this one: The church is not a building. It is the people.
|
|
|
We start each Sunday at SMCC and then end off with walking to the church - come rain or shine we will always do that! I had the idea that for some, this may be the only exercise they get on a weekly basis. We are about a holistic approach: grow in faith and keep physically healthy. Besides, we have the best conversations along that half a mile.
|
|
|
If you would like to know more about what we do in the Youth Team please email darrel.hofland@stmarysbletchley.org
|
|
|
|
|
