Christian Gap Years

Some older teens may now be thinking about what they might do before or after college/uni. If they're thinking of doing a gap year, you might like to suggest they have a look at some of the following:

Oasis 360 - a gap year with a difference.
Christian Aid
Time for God
Year for God
Careforce
Transform (with tearfund)
YWAM
Youth For Christ in the UK and Abroad
DNA
Soul Survivor
BMS

and if you think you can't afford a gap year, check out Platform2 that seeks to engage those who can't afford to jet off aroudn the world.

If a member of your congregation has had a good experience of a gap year, I would love to hear from them to share their experience with others who are considering it.
*Now with a few updates from youthblog

Various Funding Opportunities

(Whole Diocese)
YOUTH EVANGELISM FUND
FLOSS
The Links Foundation: Applications to be submitted four weeks before board meetings. The board meets four times per year (dates of meetings are updated on website).

Size of grant available: up to £20,000

Aims and outcomes of funder: Advance people's education, reduce significant disadvantage, assist those in conditions of poverty or distress and provide recreational or other leisure time activities.

Contact details: Telephone: 01642 236 486 or E-mail



Home Office Community Fund: Closing date 12:30pm Friday 3rd April 2009

Size of grant available: Up to £10,000 per organisation per annum over 3 years

Aims and outcomes of funder: To support projects that help to reduce knife and gun crime, changes the negative influence of peer groups, prevents young people from becoming involved in knife and gun crime and breaks the cycle of young people re-offending.

Additional information: Projects must work with children and young people under the age of 25 years.

Contact details: Telephone: 0845 603 1869 or E-mail


Biffaward Small Grants: Rolling programme, no deadlines for applications
(Much of the Diocese - check here for eligibility)
Size of grant available: £250 - £5000

Aims and outcomes of funder: To enable communities to improve local amenities and to conserve wildlife.

Additional information: Eligible projects must be site-based with ten miles of a Biffa operation and ten miles of an active landfill. (within or near the diocese are

• Worcester Depot, Guiness Park Farm, Leigh Sinton, Nr Branford, Worcester, WR13 5EQ
• Waresley Landfill Site (883)Unit 100a, Hartlebury Trading Estate, Hartlebury, Kidderminster, DY10 4JB
• Gloucester Depot, Hempstead House, 319 Bristol Road, Gloucester, GL2 5DN
• Birmingham Depot, Foxyards, Bean Road, Tipton,DY4 9AQ

Contact details: Telephone: Cath Leverseidge 01636 670051 or E-mail




The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards:
Closing date for applications for projects that support the elderly and children with disabilities is 31st March 2009. Applications to support children's education and welfare will re-open on the 1st May 2009.

Size of grant available: £1000 - £5000

Aims and outcomes of funder: Projects that support the elderly, adults and children with disabilities.

Additional information: Previously funded projects include; day trips for the elderly, playground equipment in schools and local communities, sensory gardens and luncheon clubs.

Contact details: Telephone: 0845 61235

Web Site Address: www.tescoplc.com (in search box type Charity Trust)

B&Q One Planet Living Awards: Next deadline 27th March 2009

Size of grant available: up to £10,000

Aims and outcomes of funder: Projects that aim to enhance the local community to support activities that reduce the environmental impact on the world's natural resources.

Addtional information: Projects must either; save energy, conserve nature, support local culture and heritage and involve the local community in growing fruit and vegetables. Environmental groups, community groups, sports clubs and charities can apply.

Contact details: 0845 300 1001


Futurebuilders Small Organisation Tender Fund

Futurebuilders' new Small Organisation Tender Fund offers grants to small third sector organisations who need small sums of money to help them tender successfully for specific public sector contracts. Grants are invested in amounts up to 10% of the contract, with a maximum investment of £15,000. For more information visit here.


The Adventure Capital Fund
Funding to develop the sustainability of young social enterprises
(ACF) has announced that it is accepting applications under its Business Development Grant Scheme. The ACF offers a range of investments and support to develop stable and sustainable community based enterprises. Under the grant scheme funding up to £15,000 is available to support community enterprises in their early stages of development by developing their skills and capacity. Eligible costs could include: legal fees, technical assistance and advice, training, business planning, market research and feasibility studies. To be eligible for funding organisations need to:

* Serve one or more clear communities of place, interest or identify
* Be established within the community that they seek to serve and have members of that community involved in and represented in the management and decision-making processe
* Be looking to use entrepreneurial methods to achieve social goals.

The next closing date is the 14th March and will re-open for a second funding round from 4th May until 29th May 2009.
(DUDLEY area only)
£70,000 still available under Grassroots Grants scheme for small voluntary and community organisations in the Dudley Borough. Funding is available for purchasing equipment and expanding existing activities. Groups can apply for between £250 - £5000. Application forms are available from The Birmingham Foundation.
For more information contact: 0121 322 5560.

Dudley Children's Trust Small Grants: Closing date for applications is 18th May and 19th October 2009.

Size of grant available: up to £1000 (£30,000 is available in Dudley over the next 3 years)

Aims and outcomes of funder: Projects that work with children, young people and parents and carers. Children and young people must be involved in the planning of any project which is funded. The grant will fund both capital and revenue.

Project examples: Toys for a playgroup, trips, refurbishment projects.

Contact details: Arnie Troxler on 01384 267424 or E-mail

Dudley Songs of Praise

The 12th annual Dudley Songs of Praise takes place on 14th June at Himley Hall and Park.
there is a chance to join the massive choir as long as you can committ to the rehearsal on Monday 8th June at 7pm in Dudley Concert Hall

If you would like to take a group to participate you need to respond by 21st April. Your church should have received information about it but if not get in touch with me and I can let you know further details of who to contact.

TRAINING DAY CANCELLATION

It is with great regret that we give in to the weather conditions and cancel Inspire this Saturday. The school hosting us has been closed for the last two days and there are issues with the site which make it impossible for us to use it.

Please advise anyone you know that the day has been cancelled. Today I will be trying to call everyone who has booked for the day. If you were hoping for resources, please do vist our library of resources or get in touch with us at the Department for Children Youth and Education next week (01905732825) and we can send things out to you. We will be running the day later in the year and I will advise you all of the date as soon as I have it confirmed

Not to leave you without some inspiration, I am struck by that beautiful passage from Isaiah 55:

"As the rain and snow come down from above and return not again, but water the earth, bringing forth seed for sowing and bread to eat, so is my word that goes forth from my mouth. It will not return to me fruitless, but will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it." Isaiah 55.10-11

What words will you choose this week and what will be their purpose and fruit?

Good Childhood Enquiry

You may have heard a lot on the news yesterday about the Good Childhood Enquiry.

We've got two copies of the book based on the Good Childhood enquiry A Good Childhood: Searching for values in a Competitive Age in the diocesan children and youth library which people can borrow if they wish. If you fancy reading something a little shorter, you can visit the Children's Society page and have a look at the summary or the reports for each individual section (e.g. the study of values).

You can also have a look at the summary report or the report especially composed for children and young people with images and child-friendly language.

If you're thinking about the Children and Youth Included Award which the diocese is inviting churches to achieve, this report has a lot to say about children and young people being integrated into a whole community. It's well worth a read.

Pastor for Young People, St Peter's Baptist church, Worcester

http://www.stpetersbaptist.org.uk/spbc/

Description

• Do you have a committed and passionate faith and the ability to demonstrate and communicate it to young people?
• Do you have a strong desire to lead young people to Christ and to help them grow as disciples?
• Do you have leadership skills, including the ability to recruit, inspire, motivate, support and manage volunteers?

St Peter’s is a lively Baptist church in the South side of Worcester. We are a large and growing congregation with a range of thriving youth ministries.
The Pastor For Young People will lead our ministry with 11-25 year olds and work closely with the other pastors in the wider responsibilities of church leadership.

For more information about the church or application pack contact Steve Thomson
Closing Date Fri 13 Mar 2009