Professional Documents
Culture Documents
U P D AT E December
2018
The Fuel Leadership Adventure
Mike writes…
Last weekend, while away with 13 young leaders (and 4 slightly older leaders!),
I was reminded of two things; firstly, I utterly love my calling, ministry ‘job’.
Secondly, I continue to believe that if we take young people away as part of our
ministry it creates space for deepening relationships, open conversations and an
ability to do real life together.
For years I have said that a weekend away is like ‘a years worth of youthwork
in 2 days’ and every time I lead a residential this becomes clearer and clearer.
Whether you are taking 7 years olds away or teenage leaders, I am always
encouraged by the significant steps we all make in our relationships and in
our journey of faith. So last weekend, in the company of some truly gifted and
highly entertaining young people, I find myself encouraged, humbled, excited
and hopeful. It wasn’t rocket science, we didn’t do anything special, we just hung
out and talked about life, church, servant leadership and strangely, which laws
we would change if we could! But as we walked, played games, shared meals,
ended and started the day together, ‘prayer bundled’ (get in touch if you’d like
one!) in a Cathedral and on the beach, we found God was at work and speaking,
encouraging and inspiring. Of course, this can and does happen at church during
group time but I think something different happens when we take our groups
away. We do residentials because we love them and kids love them, we have
always done them because it is where we see real growth and we will always
continue to do them because they are life-changing, ministry-encouraging,
joy-filled times.
Thanks...
l Tracy: After over 6 years of serving 267 and supporting the ministry as it truly
began to grow, Tracy has decided it is time to leave 267. We will obviously miss her
hugely and all she brought to our ministry but we give thanks for her and pray for what
God is doing next
l Ben: Ben started with us as an intern last month and already he has become
indispensable! Ben has been mentoring some young people as well as supporting Fuel.
But most importantly Ben has been making our website more up to date and more
accessible. We give thanks for Ben
l Claire: The Haven is growing and we have received funding to grow The Haven
ministry into a school setting. Huge thanks for God opening this opportunity and we
thank God for Claire and her gifts that are being invested into this vital ministry.
l FUEL Leadership: We spent just over 30 hours with some of our young leaders from
Fuel. It was so great to have unhurried time bonding, sharing stories, praying together
and exploring what it means to be a servant leader. We give thanks for the 13 young
people we took away and pray
God continues to speak to them
and through them.
l Xsite St Albans: 50 kids and 35 leaders from across 10 churches, it was an event full
of joy, amazing unity, live music, games, craft and the telling of Jesus calming the storm.
l Undiluted: This was a brand new youth event that we put on in partnership with the
Diocese of St Albans. 90 young people came together for an evening of inflatables, pizza
and the chance to hear from the very gifted communicator Mark Yaconelli.
Please...
l 267 Oxford: Pray for us and Olly from Oxford as we work out the next steps.
Pray for Olly to find trustees and for the things he needs to get in place to have
a real sense of ‘ease’ about them.
l Houseparty: Over New Year we are taking away a bunch of young people
and their leaders. Pray for those who would really benefit from this time to get
a booking form handed to them. Every time we have run the Houseparty there
has been some incredible blessing, pray that this year would be an even greater
time.
l NYMW: Next weekend we are part of the National Youth Ministry Weekend
along with 900 other youth leaders. Pray for us as we head up the coaching
aspect of the conference. And pray for Katherine as she leads the exhibition
space for Youthscape.
l New Project Administrator role: It is sad to lose Tracy but we are really
aware that God is in charge of our every step. Pray for us as we build a new Job
Description for the Project Administrator role. Pray also for it will be clear who
is right for the role when we start meeting people.
l Team rest: It feels like its been a busy term and we are only just half way
through. Pray for our team that they will take the time needed to be restored.
l Retreat: Linked to this please pray for our youth & children’s leaders retreat
on 28th November. Pray for loads of people to book in and for a significant time
together.
l Our 267 VAN: We are looking at seeking funding to buy a new van to replace
our ageing one. If you know anyone who works for a dealership, or even if you
wanted to donate to the new van, then please do get in touch. Thank you.
l Thursday 15th November – The Haven l Sunday 30th Dec – Wednesday 2nd Jan
at St Paul’s, 4.30pm-6.00pm New Years Houseparty