Youthblog

It's the last of the 4 days around engaging with teens tomorrow and I'm up in t'North of Diocese at Stony Stratford. We'll be looking at what it means for our churches to be good news for young people, we'll also be de-mythologising Youth work and teenagers. I'm looking forward to it ..... although not the leaving the house at 07:00, ug!

On Sunday I'm running some young leader training over in Berkshire, not sure yet whether I'll be using "The Key," or "CPAS Growing Leaders" or retreiving stuff from the collected corners of my brain and the laptop.

A good weekend me-thinks, a little lacking in R&R but hey it's only a week until Soulnet

See, I'm not the only person who lives at the intersection of faith and sheds! Church in a shed!

Last time I went to Soul Net I was Norman-no-mates, at least at the beginning of the event. So, this time ..... cunning plan. I booked in with the Guildford crew so we could share chalets, catering and general conviviality.

Good Plan, huh? (Even to the extent of me co-cooking Sunday lunch for the Guildford Crew)

Slight fly in the ointment is that I am way way way the opposite site of Chaletdom to the Guildfordians and hence, Norman-no-mates once more. Hey ho :-)

If anyone would like to adopt a Diocesan Youth Adviser, apply below ...

Sensible concerns voiced well on the blog of James Townsend

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Supplemental: There is now an online petition :

The cutbacks are going to hit Yellow Braces Camp this year ...... no swimming pool. Oxford local authority cuts mean no money for keep the pool open, a bitter blow (although completely trivial in comparison to those who have lost jobs, support, facilities or funding).

I hold two Lifeguard qualifications and own the T shirt (though not the Baywatch physique). Sadly however no pool at which to ply my trade.

Yellow Braces without the pool is a bit like Chips without Ketchup!
(Alternative Ideas for Pool levels of fun are welcomed)

A recordable CD that looks like a vinyl single!!!! Come on, what's not to LOVE! Fab

Ran a session for a Church youth group last night as part of a series on Discipleship. I'm flagging it up here in case parts of it are useful for anyone else.

Introduced the session by playing a game. Everyone was given £290 of fake currency and then I pulled random life aims, such as "Fame and celebrity," from a bag and offered them up for auction. (List and money here: money printout and cost questions.pdf)

We then talked about things having a cost, sometimes a cost we know about, sometimes not. We explored for example people pursuing wealth or celebrity only to find it has cost them their relationships.

Read Luke 14: 25-33 Exploring 'counting the cost' and a bit about living a bit of the christian faith being 'enough salvation to be miserable.' Jesus calls us to follow him completely ... and the huge challenge that is.

We looked at a clip from "Cool Runnings" (one of the best films off all time IMHO), specifically where Derice has persuaded Irving to present what Bobsledding is to a roomful of Olympic hopefuls. He explains the sport, the challenge and the implications .... and thus when the lights go back on there are only three people remaining.

The young people then split into groups to discuss and make two lists, one of the benefits of being a Christian and one on the difficulties or costs.

Back together for discussion. (Really great time on this with some things in both columns, also produced a great chat around the who arena of sex).

We then read John 6:68 "Where else would we go?"

Finished with prayer and the commission/challenge from the end of the Communion service:

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Church Times have picked up some of the debate this week about the proposed cutting of the national youth adviser and national children's adviser posts and the subsequent creation of a "Going for Growth" post (plus consultancy work). I attach the article if you would like to read it and are unable to get a copy of the Church Times.

Some of the argument has centred on this being not in fact a cut .... as it is a worker plus consultancy work which will equal the previous two posts. I'm not sure this argument coheres well, even less so given that examples of potential consultancy work include 'data collection' and 'regional conferences' that would seem to be more efficiently done by regional youth advisers in post.

church Times article re cuts.bmp

Here is a Youtube take on how strongly the feeling on this is:

Just got back from co-leading a retreat at Douai Abbey themed around play, creativity and spirituality. It's been a brilliant time of exploration with a wonderful group of church youth, family and/or children's workers.

Ever since though, I keep hearing (in all sorts of places) a song by the Brilliant things ~ Dance. These lyrics, which kind of resonate with some of our discussions around playfulness, keep jumping out at me (I also love the energy of the song).

"I feel alive but I've been dead so many times
Lost in the device of life

Dance if you want to sing
Like you're nothing to lose
You'll have the time of your life
Not caring who is watching you"

Youth workers, feel affirmed. Many of us obviously have great clarity of thought.