Youth group leader Ruth Hardy is impressed with the attitude and commitment being shown by members of the Youth Group.

In this week’s Monday Spot we reported that Ruth had shared with the congregation the vision for the group for the coming months, shaped around the SA Youth Department’s theme of ‘Boundless’. The group have 6 aims for this year:

Bringing new people into the Youth Group

Engaging in ‘outreach’ ministry

Providing handouts suitable for the youth age group

Spending more time in worship and bible study

Taking a lead in worship

Designing and producing a youth magazine

The image above has been signed by the members of the group as their own commitment to this vision. We pray that God will bless them as they undertake the tasks they have put their hands to. Please add your prayers to this end.

Leader Ruth Hardy

On Saturday 14 January (this Saturday)  ‘Central Kent Youth’ is holding a Film Night here at Chatham Salvation Army.

If you intend to be present you can vote for the film you would like to see from the following list (all 12 rated):

Smurfs

Rango

Arthur

Gullivers Travels

To vote use the comments box below or contact us. Your vote will be sent to Youth Leader Ruth Hardy and the most popular film will be shown on the night.

Here’s how to find us:

Click on the maps to enlarge

Ruth Hardy, who has been looking after the Youth Group since Mark left us in September, has sent us this very ‘newsy’ report on the latest activities.

Ruth

She writes:

With Christmas hopefully a joyful memory feedback from the Youth Programme is that December was hectic, happy, fast and fun.

The first weekend of the month found the youth group ice skating in Gillingham, and apart from Major Alec sporting a bloodied nose having been pushed in the back into the wall (at least that’s what he said) and Tom gaining a nasty blister on his ankle where his boots rubbed, the evening went along swiftly and safely, with more laughs than tears. Originally planned as a carolling night, but later postponed, the 9th December found the youth group invading Ruth’s house supposedly to help with Christmas decorations but in reality eating her out of house and home, the Christmas tree was dressed thus justifying a fun relaxed evening for the group – if not for Jackson (Ruth’s long suffering dog).

The 16th December was billed as 50′s/60′s Party Night at the Hall. Although everyone couldn’t make it, those that did entered fully into the spirit of the night,dressing up and jiving to 60′s hits and singing along to Grease. The partying continued in the adapted 60′s coffee bar with a chocolate fountain! Amazingly there was chocolate left… but only because 3 kilo was purchased to start with! With a number not able to make the 16th, an extra afternoon’s activities and evening house-party were fitted in on the 21st. The afternoon saw three teams on a treasure hunt around Rochester High Street, followed by tea and games at Ruth’s… the chocolate game was a huge success (we still have some left though), as was Just Dance on the Wii, and basic silliness prevailed.

The group’s final event before Christmas was a secret carolling mission on the 23rd December. The group met at the hall in the pouring rain – all agreeing they wanted to go through with the evening – and as Amy said – God stopped the rain for us. The mission was to go to a number of the Corps/church leadership team’s homes singing/playing carols outside with a card and chocolate for each house to say thank you for all they have done over the last 12 months. Covering 10 houses in 3 hours across Medway was a challenge that the group revelled in and involved considerable laughter as well as music. YP Band leader David Lockwood organised the music and there were enough of the youth group and youth ‘wannabees’ (around 20 people in all 15 of which were youth) to ensure a band ensemble and singing group could go. The group had managed to keep it a secret for the whole month and so it was a surprise every house we arrived at. So many appreciated the visits but perhaps the most poigniant response we got was from the neighbour of the last house we visited. The group were asked to go outside that house as the owner had been ill. We later learned that the lady in the house had just been diagnosed with cancer again and had started that week her second course of chemotherapy. The next day her daughter visited and commented on the pile of tissues by her chair… she shared with her daughter the visit of the youth group and then said it made her think about her faith again… Sharing our faith and the message of Christmas has never been so appropriate or so much fun. We were sorry we couldn’t make everyone’s home but… next year… well it could be you!

With a trip to Trafalgar Square to start the New Year 2012 looks like a busy year but one that anyone aged 13-25 (or older) is welcome to join in!!

(Editor’s note: Thank you Ruth. We look forward to more news during the coming year – and beyond!)

Most of the fellowship and relaxation events of our Christmas season are taking place next week.

Monday 12 December – Ladies Fellowship Christmas Meal

Wednesday 14 December – CAMEO Christmas Tea & Carols

Friday 16 December – Toddlers’ Christmas Party

Friday 16 December – Youth Christmas Party

Saturday 17 December – Children’s Pool Party

Enjoy yourselves everyone!

Since September the new Friday youth programme has been developing and growing in number and community (writes Youth Leader Ruth Hardy).

Ruth

With the vision to offer a youth programme that meets the needs of our own young people and those in our community, and different opportunities for 3 different ages (13-16; 16-18; 18-25) being introduced and developed, November saw the first session of Opinionate – the opportunity to discuss hot topics that matter to our young people today.

With Remembrance Day falling on Friday 11.11.11 we welcomed Andrew Slater who came and gave the group a presentation on the work of the British Legion from the viewpoint of a young veteran. With Andrew being ‘one of their own’ the group faced the challenge of how war impacts on people their own age. Having been moved by the presentation the group then divided into two groups those under 16 and those over. The younger group considered the FIFA world cup stance on wearing poppies and how they felt about that alongside where is God in War. The older group considered ‘Is War right’ and ever justified, and should Christians ever agree to War or take a stand against it.  The issues were well discussed and everyone’s opinions expressed and accepted.  At the end of the day,  with thanks to Andrew, the group left knowing more about the realities of war but also the responsibilities of world leaders and how one day the choices that had to be made would fall to them.  With the views and opinions expressed and the faith that is growing and showing in our young people I feel confident that our future is in safe hands.

Click here to read about the recent Territorial Youth Rally on tour

Click on the poster to enlarge

For more information about our Youth work click here

Jessica Scott attended Territorial Music School for the first time this year. Click here to read of her experiences.

Jessica

The Divisional farewell to those entering the William Booth College for Salvation Army officer training will take place at Maidstone Corps (Union Street) on Sunday evening, 4 September. More details will be given in due course.

Maidstone Hall

Amongst those entering WBC this year will be our own Mark Scoulding and we look forward to attending the farewell in good numbers to ensure a great send-off. Be sure to put the date in your diaries!

Mark Scoulding

A Central Kent Youth Event.

Mark Scoulding writes:

On Sunday 26th June, over 50 young people and leaders from five Salvation Army corps joined together for another Central Kent Youth Event. This time, Ashford youth group hosted a BBQ at Folkestone Harbour Beach.

Immediately after the morning meeting, a party of 16 drove to the coast from Chatham. Despite taking at least one wrong turn and driving to the wrong car-park, we soon spotted the gang thanks to the SA flag proudly flying unfurled! The afternoon passed quickly; while lots of people enjoyed the (relatively) warm water, others caught up with friends over burgers and hot-dogs. As is tradition, ice-creams and mild sunburn soon followed.

Just before we headed home, Holly Paterson shared a thought based on Revelation 3:14-16. Holly is ESSENTIAL worker at Ashford. She reminded the teenagers and leaders that Jesus wants us to be on fire for him, not lukewarm. In the summer heat, this seemed very appropriate. Holly challenged us, “During the next week, I want you to think about how you can be set on fire for God.” The group prayed together before heading off for home.

Over the past 18 months, the Central Kent youth group network has gone from strength to strength. Both the young people and the leaders have enjoyed making new friends at other corps, while going deeper with Jesus and having good fun to boot! What a privilege to be part of it all! Long may the Central Kent Youth Events continue!

Mark Scoulding

A number of our youth group attended The Salvation Army’s ‘Roots’ conference recently. Here’s what two of them had to say about it.

Rebecca Ant

Ladies first! Here’s Rebecca:

On Friday 29th April until 2nd May Roots was taking place, everyone had a lot of fun and learnt lots of different things about the Bible. For me it was the first time i had been to Roots and i had lots of fun meeting up with old friends, meeting new friends and learning lots of things I didn’t even know about the Bible.

We sang songs, played games and had lots of laughs. The main thing i learnt at Roots was you don’t need to read the Bible cover to cover to be a good Christian, you just need know what it is, how to be one, and how to set a good example to others. I also learned that you don’t need to be as quick as others in knowing the Bible and what it means, the Bible can be very complicated and the further you dig into it the more questions you have and the more answers you want.

In one of our after hours sessions we met a dance group called release they were amazing and i love their dance moves. They did street dance while they were at Roots and they taught us a few moves. The following morning everyone at youth Roots went to their morning sessions as normal, but afterwards we all walked over to the theatre to the resources zone. We all walked around the hall as normal, as if we didn’t know each other, then after about 10 mins we broke into a dance!. It was brilliant and a lot of fun. The technical men that were in youth Roots filmed it and it’s now posted on Facebook on ALOVE UK. It is a group, so you can’t add them but you can ‘like’ them. Just click on that and search for flash mob 2011.

In a different after hours session we had a visit from a band called DWEEB. It was my first time hearing their music and they were fantastic, and they played on our last night at Roots  so it brightened up our last day at Southport Roots.

It was sad to leave all our friends there but hopefully we will be able to keep in contact with them.and possibly meet up with them

I had a great time at Roots and hope to go again in the future.

Now here’s Ants comments:

At what felt like the crack of dawn on Friday eight members of the Chatham youth group set off, with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation, for the Roots Conference. They were joined by friends new and old from Maidstone Corps.  For most this would be their first time at Roots.

The theme for the weekend was “Uncovered – Reading between the lines.”  In brief, the Celebration services and seminars used differing creative arts to look deeper into the Bible.

Personally, I struggled to engage with the speakers in the first two Celebrations.  However, in the third Celebration, Krish Kandiah really inspired me as he spoke about the Story of the Bible.  The messages in the last three Celebrations were equally inspiring.

The After Hours sessions were a particular highlight for me: Adrian Plass offered his usual witticisms and challenging stories; Abby Guinness wowed us with performances from her “Word of the Wives” monologues; Noel Richards showed his longevity as he led the Praise Party.

My hope – for myself and all those who attended Roots, especially the nineteen of us from Chatham and Maidstone – is that it won’t just be about this weekend.  But that Roots will equip us all as we continue on our journey with God.

Helen Pearson writes about the youth event held last Saturday.

Helen

Last Saturday, the 2^nd April, we at Chatham hosted another joint youth group event! We had representatives from several Corps: Sittingbourne, Ashford, Gillingham, Maidstone and Chatham; about 35 people in total. The event was a success, we started with an opportunity to chat with one another, and have refreshments: we had a great variety of milkshakes available to order from our friendly kitchen staff!  I had a banana and honey milkshake, which I enjoyed very much! When we had finished our drinks, we made our way into the main hall. We had a relaxed atmosphere, instead of the usual chairs we had cushions and blankets to sit on; we were all downstairs together, creating an intimate atmosphere. We had gentle lighting with candles and fairy lights. At the sides of the hall we had a prayer space for people to use, and also an art space, for people to draw or doodle to express themselves. Our music was provided by a band formed by the cadets at William Booth College in London. Our theme was “Jesus Unplugged”, so our worship band played acoustic instruments. Our session was brought to a close by one of the cadets asking us about our identity and what makes us ourselves. Various answers were given, such as our backgrounds and experiences. We then discussed removing the barriers between us and God, and this brought us back to our main them of unplugged: without complications and unnecessary extras. This event fitted well with the other events that were being at the hall that weekend as part of Fast Forward, a prayer event that is being held within the Salvation Army countrywide.

Before we left we briefly discussed our next joint youth event, which will be in June and held at Folkestone. More details to follow and we look forward to similar events in the future!

Last weekend the London South East Division of The Salvation Army held its Youth Councils, an annual event when young people meet to worship the Lord in their own particular style.

Click here to read Youth Leader Mark Scoulding’s thoughts on the day.

Click here to visit our Youth Group page and see the latest Autumn/Winter programme

Mark Scoulding & Ant Day – leaders

Louise Robinson recently secured her LL.B (Hons) Law Degree and will continue her studies in Law Practice at Oxford Brooks University.

Louise

When at home she plays an active part in both Band and Songsters. Here are some pictures taken at her Graduation.