Hi everyone!
Here's a brief snapshot of life at Cambridge YFC over recent weeks!
SOURCE launched in style!
'SOURCE is the name of the new youth leaders network for Cambridge and district. Through all kinds of means we aim to support and encourage everyone working with young people for the glory of Jesus through ideas, resources, training and relationships.
SOURCE monthly kicked off in November at St Philips church with yummy breakfast, a brief interactive sesh on 'spiritual survival on the frontline' and city news, bringing everyone up to date on events around the area.
Each month we aim to link leaders up with free resources and inspirational ideas. SOURCE will take place on the second Saturday of every month at St Philips Church, Mill Road. See you at the next one?
HISTON MENS EVENT
On 29th September, New Life Church presented a Men's Conference at Histon Football Club. Among the guest speakers was our own Jim Overton who helped the 50 or so chaps present to consider the changing youth culture under the title 'We were young once...'. Several people seemed to express appreciation afterwards, and he walked away with two bottles of locally brewed ale!
CHURCH PLACEMENTS
Becca and Chris have settled in brilliantly on their yfcone programme. They spend Monday to Wednesday based in the office and the rest of the week with New Life Church Histon and Christ The Redeemer respectively.
As well as helping to deliver their regular existing youth groups, Chris has helped to launch a new Sunday night teaching meeting at the church and they were bowled over when 16 young people turned up. Chris says 'They're a bit loud, but whenever we get to the important bit, they go weirdly quiet'. He's also a big part of their 'Sports Value' course on a Wednesday afternoon. This was something that Jim and Tom helped to set up last year, and has is now being run again with Alex Davies their youth & families worker, hoping to introduce some new young people gently to the gospel message.
Becca speaks very warmly about Sunday services at New Life and has adapted very well to her new church family. She's planning a new cell group for girls only, and there is already some excited banter about the prospect. Becca leads the younger group at the Friday night club, based at Histon Baptist Church which is seeing record numbers showing up.
SCHOOLS LATEST
Since September YFC have taken on the support of Cottenha village college Christian Union. A group of around 10 young people attend faithfully, and Becca has been leading sessions, alongside Hilary Cheng, local Methodist minister. Becca continues to support the new leaders of the group at Long Road Sixth Form College and his busy badgerin some of her contacts to come along and see the group grow.
We've also led sessions at Chesterton Community College C.U., which Chris is now hoping to support, and Impington Village College C.U. Ultimately we'd like to see a group in every secondary school, led by students and supported by us, alongside local youthworker and others representing the local church.
We assisted in delivering a reflection day at St Bede's interchurch school where each of us led four sessions with a group of around 15 year 9 pupils. It was incredible to see the team in action, thinking on their feet with limited resources.
A couple of weeks later we led two assemblies which covered the whole school. Afterwards one of the young people at the reflection day declared 'My Dad wants me to become more Christian. What should I do?'
Jim delievered a talk in Hills Road called 'Do we have to take our clothes off to have a good time?' About 60 people turned up and pelted the speaker with challenging questions! There will be another similar event next term which will be followed by a 5 week Christianity Explored Course in the college, led by Jim, with Dan Dowman from St Andrews Street Baptist.
New Arrivals
The office is bursting with activity. especially on a Monday when we're joined by Steve Creamer from Cambridge Community Church (C3). As part of his year out programme he's working with the team one day a week. Among other things he'll be using his graphic design skills and, we hope, conributing to some new sports initiatives later in the year.
Hannah Overton is our new Church Resource Worker, giving her time for free for two days a week. As well as co-ordinating SOURCE network, outlined above, she'll be helping to deliver 'Give Yourself A Break' a touring session for local youth groups, and 'Passion and Purity' a comprehensive programme on Sex and Relationships which will be launched in 2008.
MOTIV8 MADNESS!
30 young people aged 11-14 exhausted themselves at Scripture Union's Motiv8 weekend, based at St Andrews Street Baptist Church in October. In 2007's event, Jim joined the leadership tea for the first time, and Becca and Chris led small teaching groups for the weekend. Highlights included YFC's gunge the leader experience and 'Becca vs Chris' an ongoing challenge in the syle of 'Ant vs Dec'. It was a fantastic time of teaching, worship and fun! One of the questions on the feedback form asked 'Do you learn anything about being a Christian?'. Here's a selection of the answers.
"Don't be shy about your beliefs because Christianity is fun"
"Motiv8 is fun is great and not to be shy about being a Christian"
"Motiv8 is fun is great and not to be shy about being a Christian"
"Grace and perseverance - I love Motiv8"
ENGAGE - the new bible reading notes for 14+
The Good Book Company will soon be launching a new series of resources to help teenagers unlock the bible. Jim's just finished contributing a week's studies on Habakkuk. Watch out for the first editions hitting the shelves in 2008.
MORE YOUTH EVENTS
Around 70 young people came to hear Simon Guillbaud's challenge to live on the edge for Jesus. With worship led by Decent Reason, the event also included an aftershow cafe run by St Andrews Histon. With several young people asking for prayer after the event, it was another example of effective unity between churches in Histon and Milton.
YB4God's September event saw Jim lead worship with a new band of young people from St Barnabas. Dan Dowman spoke about Integrity, and many responded to the message as they were encouraged to embrace freedom from guilt in Jesus.
The guest speaker at November's FLAME was YFC's very own Kate John. The evening kicked off with top local band Broken Hero who blew the crowd away. Listen out for more from them! FLAME looks like being at the heart of the events programme for Hope 2008 as we look to see Christian young people getting together like never before, and getting a heart for mission.
STAY TUNED!
There's loads of stuff coming up, including the BALL, The Shareholder Dinner and AGM, plus the new year's eve event Hope Revolution Zero... so keep coming back for more..!
