Hello!

I hope you all had a great Easter break (if you had a break). It’s great to

see the sunshine (finally), it feels like Spring is finally on it’s way.

Last term was a great term. The youth were involved in Alpha, the RLS

CU continued well, Heroes and other ecumenical work kept on going—

more news inside.

This term looks to be even better—youth camp, holiday club prep and

also potentially exciting news! Keep reading & as always let me know

your thoughts.

Thanks

Nick Francis

Youth Minister

SUMMER TERM 2013

The Future?

Instead of commenting on last term, I wanted to devote some of this newsletter talking

about the future of the youth work at Well Street.

As I am sure you are aware, proposals have been put to the church regarding the future of

our premises and Sunday services. I think it’s really important that time is taken to listen to

the concerns of the youth and their parents and I am always available to speak to about

such concerns.

I wanted to say a few things about the current activities that already occur and how these

proposals might affect the youth work:

Proteens

Proteens really suffers at the moment from lack of space and flexibility. Moving to a bigger

location, such as the RLS, would afford us greater flexibility and creativity and will, if

anything, be positively affected by the move.

Chill’n’Chat

If we do move to one service which is at a different time to the current evening service

Chill’n’Chat will not stop. I am very aware of the need to keep a building so we have space

available for groups beyond our services. Chill’n’Chat is one such group. I still plan to run

this on Sunday evenings whatever the outcomes of the proposal.

Service Times

This is a difficult issue & one that will never please all parties. I understand that 10:30am is

early for some youth, yet for those who attend the 9:30 service it means they get an extra

hour in bed! The timing issue will affect all those who attend Well Street and not just the

youth but I am making sure that the youth’s opinions are being heard on this matter.

There have also been a couple of people who have suggested the idea of having a youth

service in the evening instead of the youth coming in the morning. One of the real bonuses

of having a united service is encouraging and enabling all ages to be together, to worship

together and share and serve together. Having a youth service I fear would encourage

separation and a “them & us” culture—something which I do not want to do.

Having said that, I have not dismissed the idea entirely and, depending upon the decision

made by the church and also the opinions of the youth this may be something that is put

on once or twice a term.

If you have any thoughts or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

NEWS...

COMING UP...

Summer Youth Camp

Registration for this has now

opened. Find out more at:

www.wellstreetchurch.org.uk/

youthcamp

Parenting Events

The first parenting event

happened in March. Facilitated

by CYM it was well received by

those who attended. The next

one will be on 28th June and the

topic is “Raising Boys”

Soul Survivor

There is still time to register for

our Summer trip to Soul

Survivor. We are going from

August 13th—18th.

Holiday Club Registration has now opened for

Holiday Club. Our theme this

year is History Makers. It is going

to be a great week so register

now!

Chill’n’Chow! For those in Year 10 + we are

starting a new event on Sunday

evenings. On the first Sunday of

the month from 7:30-9:30 we will

be having a youth meal at our

house. There is no theme, just the

opportunity to be together, share

food and company.

Year 6’s

The Year 6’s will be joining us soon

and helping to swell the ranks at our

events. It will be great to welcome

them in to the youth work!

What are we learning? A brief paragraph on what groups

are studying this term:

Proteens are spending the term

studying some characters from the

Old Testament and also exploring

faith through film & music.

Housegroups will be joining the adult

housegroups in studying the book of

Exodus. Our wide and ever

increasing creative range of activities

will continue!

Chill’n’Chat will be exploring Spiritual

Disciplines. Ranging from Fasting to

Celebration, Prayer to Solitude this

looks to be a great term building on

the success of Alpha last term.

CAN YOU PRAY? Often the plug for volunteers in youth

work is for practical helpers. People who

can turn up and help run events.

This is always needed and always

essential. But so are pray-ers.

I’m on the lookout for people who can

faithfully pray for the youth work. For

events as and when they happen, for

young people, for pastoral situations, for

all those involved in every aspect of the

youth work.

I will put together a termly prayer diary

outlining the events that will be

happening and also other key items that

need praying for throughout the term.

If you think you fit that profile and would

be willing to pray for the youth work then

please contact me—my details can be

found in the next column.

For more information on the details of

the youth work please look at the web-

site, or see the notice board in the Low-

er Hall. If you would like to contact Nick

you can do so via e-mail or phone. His

details are below.

This newsletter can also be viewed on-

line – go to:

www.wellstreetchurch.org.uk/youth

and click on the Newsletter link.

Mobile: 07735 427811

E-mail: youth@wellstreetchurch.org.uk

How Can You Help? There are always opportunities to

get involved with the youth work.

For more information or details

please speak to Nick.

Calendar Dates It can be tricky to try to keep track

of all the dates. To make life easier

there is a calendar on the website

which has all the youth events on.

To find it just go to:

http://www.wellstreetchurch.org.uk/

youth/calendar.php

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