Pass the Word

This year the theme of the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage is Pass the Word.

Booking forms are here and all kinds of useful information about preparations are here.

It's only £45 per person if you book now (£55 after 1st June).

Here's what they have in their programme:

• You pitch your tents on Monday in one of our camping villages on the best site ever....cafe tent, games pitch, big top and loads of open space!
  
• The pilgrimage kicks off on the Monday Night with an amazing opening service, followed by a BBQ and Disco. Time to meet new friends.
  
• Take part in daily Bible studies......sounds boring? Not so, this is Bible action with a difference! Go on give it a try!
  
• Receive water from the shrine's Holy Well ...want to know more? Come and do it! Mass with the CJM band each day in the ‘big top' it has to be experienced to be believed!
  ‘All Night prayer' like you've never experienced it before - are you up for the challenge? ‘It was one of the most moving and amazing nights of my life' (2008 pilgrim)
  
• Trace the footsteps of millions of pilgrims as you walk the famous Holy Mile
  
• Tuesday afternoon FREE to go to the seaside or visit one of the many attractions nearby
• Wednesday afternoon....a massive selection of activities from inflatable assault courses, trampolining, break dancing, dance, singing, art and craft all FREE on site and around the village!
• The big Walsingham five aside ‘footie' challenge! Sort your team now!
  
• The Word Café opens each day 'til late. A place to meet, play games, listen to music and enjoy drinks and snacks. Shop always open in there and THE place to charge your phones!
  
• And finally.....last night disco and karaoke and the most electrifying farewell Mass possible on the final morning.

Do let me know if you're taking a group and I can try and put you in touch with other groups from the diocese.

Peruvian Link

In 2010 I will be travelling to Peru as part of the diocesan link and I would like to take 2-4 young people (aged 16-25) with me. If you know any young people who would like to apply for this opportunity, please get in touch.

Youth Work on the Edge

There’s a great training opportunity later in February on Saturday 28th February. There’s a whole host of great speakers including people from the Frontier Youth Trust and Worth Unlimited. It’s £10 including lunch from 10.30-3.30pm in Birmingham and will be worth every penny! For a booking form email here.

I-cans

I am putting together a set of resources called I-cans which will be self-contained resource pots with everything you need to run a particular bible study, discussion, activity or worship session. If you have any particular session you would like featured in these resources, please do get in touch.

Resources for Lent

I’ve been sent some samples of the Love Life Live Lent resources, targeted this year at children, young people and families. The site provides an hour’s session for your youth group each week plus you could give each member of your group their own booklet to work through during the week for each day of Lent. There’s also a book for families and a book specifically aimed at children.

Rock the Cathedral

On Saturday 6th September we had over 350 people rocking the cathedral to the music of Formal Affair, The Fans of Faye, Dan Haynes, The Relentless Craving and Finchley. When they weren’t listening to the awesome music, young people were able to chill out at Breathe in the Chapter house, get active in the juggle zone, re-energise at the café or find some space at the prayer zone. Adults who came along also had the benefit of the Adult crèche complete with mini golf and newspapers. In between the bands we also had some compelling drama from the young people of Matchborough and some wise words from both Jon Pedley, vice-chair of the youth council, and Bishop John.

There’s now a commemorative video of photos taken on the night. If your group were there and want to remember one fabulous night in September or if they weren’t and they want to know what they missed, get in touch with me and I can send you a copy in exchange for a small donation of £3 to the funds for Rock the Cathedral Again 2010.

If you have or know a kicking Christian band locally and would like to be considered for Rock the Cathedral Again 2010, get in touch with the youth council via their revamped
website at where you can see their review of the event.

Conference of European Churches

The Conference of European Churches are inviting applications for stewards (18-30 year olds) for the Assembly in Lyon in July.

Do you want an International Worship experience?

Our Director of Development Robert Jones will be at the conference as part of the liturgy team.