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Following from last time's experiment with the format of the e-bulletin we received a 75 % favourable response, so this has become the official new format.
| Remember Got 2 B Tru, the 25 hour event held at Letton Hall last September? Well this year it returns, but after the changes within the Anglican Diocese structure in Norfolk we have taken over the co-ordinating role for the event.- Full Story |
| As Paul and Heather await the arrival of a little Cracknell on July 2nd, Paul has written some thoughts inspired by his impending Dad-hood, and as ever gives an update on the financial picture - Full Story |
| It has been a time of changes with staff workers departing and arriving, projects changing emphasis and direction and new initiatives pioneering the way. Read about some of the latest goings-on, including Tracey moving on to new pastures.- Full Story |
| Continuing the theme of change, we have decided to fiddle with Fridays, and introduce a new event too called F2 - Full Story |
| We also have news of the Fridays Band's first international engagement - Full Story |
| On the Church Resource front, there is a report from the opening of Ronnie's, a brand new youth venue at St Mary Magdalene Church. - Full Story |
| Rock Solid continues to develop, and Ang has given us a quick report on how things are going - Full Story |
| And finally, our patented 'Virtual Back Page' contains all the things which did not go anywhere else! - Full Story |
We hope you enjoy our new format e-Bulletin. As ever, we want this to be a useful piece of information for you to stay in touch with what's going on in NYFC, and we would really appreciate your feedback on the new format, good or bad. So please, let us know your thoughts by emailing bulletin@norwichyfc.co.uk
Thanks for reading!
Last September over 100 young people came to Letton Hall for an event called Got 2 B Tru. It was a 25 hour event that set out to equip young people in their faith and create space for youthworkers and their young people to spend time together without the youthworker having to 'do' anything.
It was an initiative that had come from the Anglican diocesan youth department. Got 2 B Tru was amazingly successful at bringing together churches from a variety of backgrounds and drew on several creative partnerships ranging from churches in Norwich as well as North Norfolk, the Salvation Army and ourselves to make the event happen.
With recent changes being made at Diocesan House and the redundancy of some of their staff we got together with some of the key people from last year to explore the possibility of making the event happen again.
We are really pleased to say that Got 2 B Tru is On! The event will be held on 26-27 September starting at 7pm and going through until 8pm. This year there'll be a slight shutdown in the wee small hours for some sleep - rumours of young people being wiped out for next day taken on board!
We are in negotiations at the moment for getting a nationally known speaker,
unfortunately details haven't been confirmed before going to press.
There'll be worship, teaching, seminars, Go Karting, 24-7 prayer and a chance
to hang out in an immense 25 hour period.
For booking details contact the NYFC office. Places are limited and prices
are £25 per person.
Many of you will have experienced the wonder/awe/excitement/confusion/terror/privilege that it is to be expecting a baby.
Understandably it's a regular topic of my thinking at the moment. In the context of my role with NYFC, the way I've been reflecting on impending parenthood has been about the type of world my child will be growing up in. From a statistical point of view there's significant evidence that by the time they are 20 the church in England could be in meltdown and by the time they are my age it might not exist in any sizeable form.
Is that merely scaremongering? Perhaps a little. A possible scenario? Definitely.
And that highlights the privilege and the challenge that it is to be part
of Youth for Christ. Times of challenge are always times of opportunity. Opportunities
to be creative, imaginative and courageous. Challenges of how to communicate
the gospel relevantly and to assess honestly the shape and form of a crumbling
church.
As we start to enter the final quarter of the year it is a chance to start to reflect on our year so far and look ahead to next year. Many of you will be familiar with the mantra of predictable income that we have shared as an organisation. Our regular income has improved but you'll see from these graphs for the last three years that there is still significant volatility in the pattern of our income.
The summer is traditionally a dry period for us financially as people go on holiday in July and August and one off income slows in these months. Last year our summer started earlier and was very dry. We obviously don't want that to happen again this year. So please pray for our finances over the next few months and if you felt it was appropriate this time of year is a very good time to make one off donations.
Last year because the summer was so long and dry financially, we limped into the new financial year and it took us into the early autumn to properly recover. That is obviously very stressful for us as a team but also stops us from building momentum in our work of taking the gospel to young people at the start of a new academic year.
This year my hope and prayer is that we sweep into September with momentum.
Next year could be very exciting and has much potential for growth and advancement
of the gospel especially as interest continues to increase about Fusion. But
in order to resource churches as well as we would like we need to be in a
stable position ourselves.
Enjoy your summer, may it be relaxing and refreshing for you. But whilst you're
enjoying the sunshine remember us in your prayers, but also if you could in
your giving - whether as a one off gift or through monthly standing orders.
Thanks again, without you we could not do what we are called to do.
Paul Cracknell
This edition of the bulletin sees some news of staff changes.
On the inward direction we are pleased to say that we have successfully recruited an administrative assistant. Ellen will be joining us from the beginning of July. Pray for her as she will be joining the team at a busy time, building up to summer events as well as the increased administration required around the many new projects we are launching such as fusion.
We also have news of someone leaving the team. After 15 years of being connected to Norwich YFC in one way or another, Tracey is moving on. Inside this edition she tells her reasons why. Pray for Tracey in what is obviously an exciting but challenging time. In the next edition will look back more at what Tracey has done and what the people she has worked with have to say! Obviously we are sad to see Tracey go but believe with her that this is Gods timing and we're grateful for all she has done and been for us.
One of the questions that has been in my mind for a while now has been when will I know its time to move on.
When I started doing this job - almost 11 years ago now - I said I'd know it was time to leave when I stopped looking forward to going to work and/or I stopped getting envisioned for the future of the work.
However over the past few years I have felt that if I wait for either of these things to happen I'll have stayed too long - after all I never want to get to the point where I hate my job and/or have stopped hearing from God for what I'm doing.
I still love my job - I look forward to working in the club every night. I am excited when I pray and God gives me glimpses of his heart for the young people I work with and I am full of vision as He continues to give me dreams and hopes for them.
I do however feel the time is right for me to move on.
Over the past couple of years - as I've considered if I could see myself doing this job in another 5 years time I began to have big questions. At first this was very frightening and a little confusing knowing how passionately I still feel about the work. However as I have prayerfully pursued the possibility of leaving and seen God open doors and make His plans known I have become very excited.
In October this year I start an MA course at Nottingham University to train as a Social Worker. If I'm honest it still is a little frightening - I feel a bit like Peter about to jump out of the boat not knowing if he was about to sink into the depths. I do believe, however, with all my heart that this is the right thing to do - and at the end of the day more than anything I just want to be obedient to God…
How do you measure success?
Although I've never been a results driven person - because of the passion I have for my work I've always wanted it to achieve it's aims - I've wanted us, through the work we do in clubs to BE GOOD NEWS. So how do I measure this?
One of the main measures I've always looked for is the influence and change we have had on the people we meet. Has our presence in the clubs and the relationships we've made brought about a significant change for the good?
To the guy who was told he'd have had 15 minutes to live if we hadn't taken him to hospital - YES. To the girl who used to self harm maybe on average 5 times a week and last year only did it once in total - YES. To the guy we ran into (literally) as he was running out to kill himself - YES. To the guy who for he first time ever met people who loved him and wanted nothing in return - YES. To the guy who found out he could be forgiven and that God accepted him - YES. (I could go on - but am limited by space..)
All of the above are examples of some of the ways the work in the clubs has been good news.
Another way of measuring success is by looking at how lasting that change / influence is on people's lives.
Recently I made a trip north to visit Anna from York YFC - Anna has recently begun a similar club work project in her area and had invited me up to see what was going on. The fact that Anna was doing a similar project was great, but what was also exciting was the fact that the manager of the club used to be the deputy of Ritzys here in Norwich (about 8 -10 years ago).
In fact one of the reasons he was so keen and interested in Anna's proposal was because of what he saw and experienced of the work we did whilst he was in Norwich. It was a real encouragement to know that the impact of the work on that guy's life had been such Good News he not only remembered it, but also indeed wanted more of it years later.
Fridays is one of those activities synonymous with Norwich Youth For Christ. It has been running for longer than any current staff member has worked here, so much so that we have all forgotten exactly how old it is! Young people who were in the first batch are now having children of their own, and it probably will not be too long before we see the first of our second generation of Fridays young people!
For the past n years then, Fridays has been seeking to help young people live as disciples in a world set against this way of life. It's taken different forms as we have kept pace with the changes in our society. It's had different homes spread across the city, though now we have returned to one of its earliest residences at St Mary Magdalene. It's varied in size year by year, from humble beginnings with 20 or 30, to the peaks of 200 young people, and to around 80 currently. Changes in size have brought changes in the feel of the event, and now it has a definite community feel.
The whole thing was started when Ian Savory was 'working in the lab late one night' and came up with yet another plan to see the world taken over by young people passionate about Jesus. Fridays has never got away from that mad scientist influence, so today we still hatch experiments in worship, teaching and even icebreakers in our efforts to disciple.
As you look through this issue of the Bulletin you will see there are lots of exciting changes ahead for NYFC.
Fridays is changing too. From September Fridays will happen once a month again. We have been running twice monthly for a couple of years, but now we feel its right to change back again. We are conscious, however, that for some young people the community of Fridays has become an important part of their discipleship, so we will be launching F2, of which more below.
The aim of the change is to guarantee consistent numbers, as one problem we have found is that numbers have varied considerably as people choose which of the two evenings they can make it to in a month. Our hope is that as Fridays returns to being a monthly event, this will make it easier for churches and youth leaders to actively support it.
We have also heard of church leaders expressing concern that Fridays was becoming competition for church activities with their young people. Obviously this was never our intention, we think Fusion, for instance, demonstrates our commitment and desire to partner with the local church rather than compete. Fridays has always aimed to be something that inspires young people to get involved with church, rather than withdraw.
It also seems that the moment is right to free up some time for us to develop new initiatives. The success of the Forum, for instance, shows that there is great potential for new ways of doing things…
F2 is the name we are giving to a deeper and more intimate version of Fridays launching in September. To help you grasp the difference, we have come up with this simple equation:
(Fridays + Praxis Training content) - The Big Amplifiers = F2
F2 is designed as a much smaller event (we are not planning for much more than twenty people at the moment) specifically aimed at those who want to go a little more deeper theologically in their understanding.
The idea is that we take some of the very good content we have developed over the years for our year-out students, and make it available to everyone. It will also be an opportunity to act as a bridge between Fridays and other areas of our work, giving young people both training and practical opportunities to volunteer with us.
F2 is still in the planning stages, so look out for further details in the next bulletin and on the website.
In October 2003, the Fridays band will be completing its first international engagement! Ang Fox (also famous as our Rock Solid champion) has links with churches in Southern Brittany, and to cut a long story very short they have asked us to go to France for a weekend to lead worship for them.
For some of the band it will be their first trip to France, and they will
certainly be put in at the deep end - the itinerary includes a live slot playing
on the local radio station which will be a first for all of us! We will be
leaving on Friday October 24th, returning on Tuesday 28th, and in between
we will be leading worship and possibly doing some teaching, but details are
very much in flux at the moment.
We are making plans, finalising arrangements, dealing with ferry and tunnel
operators, but the key thing is we want God to use us there. Our hope is that
we will in some way help the church we visit to encounter more of the majesty
of God.
There are numerous things that the band need to make this project happen
ranging from finding appropriate vehicles to funding. If you'd like to help
contact the office.
Thursday 29th May saw the launch of Ronnie's drop in, an exciting new project at St Mary Magdalene Church in the heart of Mousehold. The project was set up in partnership between Norwich Youth for Christ's Church Resource project and the local churches and has also formed links with the Patchwork Community Project.
Many people from the local community turned out for the launch including Bishop Tony of Kings Lynn (pictured), who with the help of two of the local young people cut the tape and officially opened Ronnie's.
Ronnie's then attracted 25 young people throughout it's first evening who
came to socialise and make use of the new football and pool table, play computer
games, watch a film, listen to music and eat tuck, the night was a huge success!
Ronnie's will open every Thursday night and be run by a large team of volunteers
from the local churches, community groups, and from Norwich Youth for Christ.
It's aim is to provide a safe, fun drop in where young people can come, relationships
can be formed, conversations about God and the Christian faith can be had
and impact can be made on the issues that face the young people in the community
today.
Already on the first night conversations were had with young people about their concerns and fears about being a young person in the community today. Ronnie's aims to build on this and support these young people.
Andrew Tyler, Priest in charge of St Mary Magdalene had this to say about
the project: -
This is a an exciting piece of collaboration work between Norwich Youth for Christ and St Mary Magdalene Church. It is envisaged that this will be part of a project involving other local Christian churches. A huge amount of effort has gone in by Matt Gooch and his team in transforming what was a workshop to help unemployed people get back to work in the 1970's into a drop in centre.
Ronnie's runs every Thursday evening between 7 and 9 at the back of St Mary Magdalene church, it is open for any young person aged over 11.
Contact Matt for more details.
Angela Fox is one of our key volunteers and co-ordinates our Rock Solid programme. We are grateful for all she does to help us fulfill our purpose of equipping people to do evangelism and work with young people. Here she updates us on the year so far:-
Rock Solid got off to a good start this year with 2 new RS2 clubs starting. This is a tool used for discipling young people on Sundays or during the week similar to a cell group. It is for those who have already shown an interest, possibly at a Rock Solid, or those already attending on a Sunday who like active and exciting meetings. Both groups are pleased with the material and the response they are getting from their young people.
The spring term inter club bowling event at No 10 went well the winner coming
from the new RS2 group at Vineyard. This summers event is on Saturday 5th
July at Coltishall. It is an activity Challenge afternoon and bbq. Call or
mail for further details. You really have to be there!
The Rock Solid Clubs are continuing to have good fun with the programmes.
One recently broke out of jail (the club) and raced around their local area
tied together completing various peculiar tasks with a peculiar volunteer
in tow! They finished the evening by soaking a Rock Solid leader who was leaving
to prove how much they had enjoyed having him around. Have you got what it
takes or do you need some encouragement and ideas to get involved with outreach?
Mail us at rocksolid@norwichyfc.co.uk
or call the nyfc office for more details.
Finally we haven't forgot the leaders and this month we are feeding them
up and giving them ideas on how to relate and cope with their youngsters.
Bex Needs Help!I need help - when I work for a school I pray for that school, and for what I am doing with the school. But something I am really bad at is praying for that school the rest of the time! I think that the schools really need constant prayer support. If you think that you could commit to praying regularly for just one school please let me know! I will give you prayer points to help you and regular updates of that school. This is such an important part of my work, and I really need some help with it! It doesn't matter how old or young you are. Give me a call at the office on (01603) 620678 or e-mail me at: - I look forward to hearing from you! Gift AidIf you give to NYFC, either regularly or occasionally, and you pay income tax, then you could make your donation go further by filling out a Gift Aid form. You only have to complete the form once for us, and then on every donation you make we can claim around 28% extra from the government! You can find a Gift Aid form in PDF format here. If you haven't already got it, you will need to install Abode Acrobat Reader on your computer to print the form, Acrobat Reader is available for free download at www.adode.comIf you have already completed a Gift Aid form for us, thankyou very much, and you don't need to do it again! Pray For Us!If you are interested in praying for specific requests and/or would like more regular prayer updates please contact the office.
Be assured of our prayers for you, we pray regularly for our volunteers
and supporters as a team. |
DatesJun 22 Deputation in Long StrattonJun 24 Prayer event at St Lukes July 4 Fridays Aug 25 Team to Festival Manchester Festival ManchesterNext Summer NYFC and the Diocesan Youth Service are organising a trip
to Festival Manchester. We have enclosed a booking form with some information
about our trip. We hope to take 200 people to the Mission. This is a
popular event and will book up quickly - especially as it is cheaper
to book earlier in the year (see the booking form). Please now return all forms to the YFC office and not Diocesan House. We are also looking for over 18's who would like to come and act as
'responsible adults' for the group, if you are interested in this or
would like further details, please call the office or email office@norwichyfc.co.uk
Volunteer Opportunities - Get Involved!We are looking for:
For more info on any of these opportunities contact the office. Contacting UsIf you want to email us our addresses are: office@norwichyfc.co.uk If you prefer the more traditional approach, then our postal address is: Norwich Youth For Christ, 3 Brigg Street, Norwich, NR2 1QN Our telephone number is 01603 620678 |
Any Questions?Q. Who are
you people? Q. Why have
you sent me this? Q. This is
a great piece of communication, but why do I get this as well as a paper
copy? Q. I don't
want anymore of these sent to me? Q. Actually
I've changed my mind, I don't want to stop receiving this, in fact I
want all my friends to get it! How do I do this? If you prefer the more traditional approach, then our postal address is: Norwich Youth For Christ, 3 Brigg Street, Norwich, NR2 1QN Our telephone number is 01603 620678 Check out our website – www.norwichyfc.co.uk, including our brand new feature, the forum, your chance to interact with NYFC staff and volunteers. |
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