Youth Reports

Easter Camp ran for three days at the beginning of the school Easter holidays from Monday 2nd - Wednesday 4th April.  Our team of leaders was small but of great quality and out of the ten leaders, only three of us including myself had been camp leaders, before. Many thanks go to Rhonda Gerrish, Sinead Walker, Jack Kennedy, Kate O'Mahoney, Lynn Murphy, Sarah Grehan, Emily, Liam Murray Byrne and Zoë.

Each day we met for our leaders meeting at 9:45 a.m. and got prepared for the kid's arrival at 10:30 a.m.  For the children the day began with craft and games and we had some great crafts organised by Lynn and Sarah.  Jack and Sinead took care of the games for the two age groups (5-7's & 8-10's) and  everyone had a chance to make their very own baguette pizza at some stage during the week.

We came together in the morning up in the Fletcher Room, which was an ideal size for 30+ kids and leaders.  During this time we learnt the following two bible verses:

Jesus Says, I am the way the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14v6)

The Lord delights in those who fear him & put their Hope in his unfailing Love.  (Psalm 127v11)

We encouraged the children to commit these to memory as they are important biblical truths but we taught them in fun ways using balloons & treasure hunts, etc.

Over the three days Rhonda and myself told the Easter Story as it is written in the New Testament but we also showed The Easter Carol, a "Veggie Tales" DVD with a strong message on the hope that Easter brings to each one of us.

We sang, did aerobics, ate lunch together, worked on our activity sheets, went on an Easter egg hunt in Fairfield Park and had a lot of fun in three days.

Most of the children who attended the camp where either from our own congregation of from the Junior Youth Club that takes place each Saturday evening in the Tennant Hall.  As a leadership team we worked well together and I believe that God honoured our prayers that each child who attended would leave knowing God showed the extent of his love for them through the death and resurrection of Jesus and they can know God in their lives each day as a faithful friend.

Thank you also to Alison Houston who came and prepared lunch for the leaders on the first day of Camp (the most hectic of the three days!)
 

Senior Youth Club:

The youth leaders went off on a retreat/planning weekend at the beginning of January.  We spent time in reflection & study looking at 2 Corinthians 5 v 14-21 and considering what it means to be an "ambassador of Christ".  We considered the previous term and planned a new youth club discipline policy and members' contract, which is now being implemented.  We also had great fun, went to the cinema and went out for dinner in a nice restaurant.

Our Youth Club programme is in full swing with the usual kids but also a group of new kids from Rathgar Junior School.  Up until now we have had an enormous Chocolate Fondue, messy games with bananas, and a number of team building activities.

On Sunday nights we continue to use the Rock Solid material adapting it to suit the young people that attend. We have been discussing the whole area of "friendships" thinking about what makes a good friend, why friendships don’t last & how we can e a good friend.  We have also been thinking of God as light in our lives.  Please pray for us on Sunday nights as we endeavour to challenge the young people from God’s Word in a way that is fun and relevant.

Junior Youth Club:

Before Christmas we ran Junior Youth Club for 6 weeks and had an average of 15 children each evening from age 7-10 years.  This ran from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and was led by myself, Anna Carson, Dave Fry, Craig Tennant plus four new Junior leaders (4th Years at secondary school), who have at some point been youth club members.  We hope to begin with this group again on Saturday 10th February.

Worship Group:

Continues to practice once or twice a week.  Rachel Carson is the Co-ordinator.  They have been involved in leading Sunday morning worship and also with the children in the Sunday Club.  They will be leading worship at the Dublin small colleges Christian Union worship evening in February & also at our youth weekend away in Castlewellan, Co. Down in March.

Happy Announcements!

Rhonda Jenkinson one of the original youth group leaders way back in the past is getting married to Colin Gerrish on February 19th.  We wish Rhonda & Colin many happy years together!

Also, Zoë Welsh another of our more recent youth leaders is now engaged to Scott (who has spoken at a number of our youth events) - CONGRATULATIONS!  They plan to get married in August.
 

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