YOUTH
Our Youth Group is a Christian fellowship for young people in the Earsham Benefice and is open to all Year 6 (10 years old) and above. We meet every Thursday between 7.30 and 9.00pm
2011 Children's Youth Work Report ~ Barry Cramp
You may remember that last year we made the decision to employ a Children and Schools worker and to accumulate funds in order to develop the role. During this year the following work has continued:
SCHOOLS WORK:
Assemblies have been taken in all three schools most weeks by Barry and Sue Cramp. In addition they have sometimes been involved with end of term assemblies run by the schools in their churches. Barry, Sue and Reg are still serving on the schools governing bodies of Alburgh with Denton, Earsham, and Ditchingham respectively. Other members of our congregations also serve on these bodies.
Gill Hipwell along with a team from ALB and DEN have been running the Open the Book Bible story project in their local school.
Thanks to all the hard work and commitment of a large number of people, the Holiday Club 2010 was another success story with a spread of children from around our own benefice this time; also a large group of teenagers as junior leaders; plus the usual dedicated adult and support roles done by members of our congregations. It was decide at churchwardens meeting that the policy will be to move the venue around the benefice year on year, where there is a suitable venue available. This year it will be held at DENTON Village Hall.
YOUTH GROUP:
Reg and a small team of helpers at Earsham have done a marvellous job keeping the youth group going for the most of last year. Typically the ages of the group covered those doing exams this year and they have decided to leave youth group for this reason. Until such time as we appoint another Youth Minister and allow them time to build the children’s work, there will not be a youth group operating in our benefice. Meantime we will maintain contact with the youngsters, most of whom will help at Holiday Club, as they did at Dinner for Two. The plan will be to re launch a new youth group in three or four years’ time.
PLANS for employing a Children’s Leader:
We now have sufficient funding to employ someone for about 16 hours per week at the same time as accumulating funds for expanding the role in the future. The post has been advertised and interviews will take place in June. This role will involve strengthening the existing work and teams and developing new initiatives. You will be kept up to date on progress through your coming PCC meetings.
I have been at Youth Group for a year now, and I think it is brilliant. My older sister K has been going to Youth group for a while and told me all about it. I couldn’t wait to start going! Many of my friends go and it’s really fun because we play a few games, and then have a snack and drink. Right at the end we have chapel with candles, music and prayers. Two weeks ago for Bonfire Night Simon made some tomato soup which was really deeeeeeeeelicious! Thanks Simon! A.
I first starting coming to Youth Group many moons ago (or about 4 year but I’m not completely sure) to a Bonfire Night gathering. I keep going because not only is it a great outlet to discover more about my beliefs, it is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and see friends I would rarely see otherwise. I appreciate the generally light-hearted atmosphere in which Youth Group is conducted, rather more relaxed than school. I also go to the Youth Home Group where we are currently watching and discussing ‘Heroes’. I sometimes relish this opportunity to be more mature! I hope to go forever. E.