The Christian Apprentice

Monday 27 – Wednesday 29 October 2008

Venue: The Shepherd’s Buildings, Pattingham, near Wolverhampton.

For girls aged 14 and over who want to develop their leadership skills.

You’ll take part in creative activities that increase your experience of leadership and teamwork. You’ll get individual feedback for effective leadership development.

The course will cover:
• the Bible on leadership
• the importance of character in effective leadership
• how you can be a good leader
• what your strengths and weaknesses are
• how to handle conflict situations
• how you relate to others on your team

Cost: £60 per person to include accommodation in dormitories, food and all training.

Leaders: come with your girls to get the most out of the event, but girls can also attend on their own.

For more details and a booking form, contact Sharon Prior 01425 674112; sharonprior1@btinternet.com

An initiative of The Sophia Network
run under the banner of Urban Saints

What do Muslims think?

Interesting video here from Muslims in America when asked "What would you want to say to America?"

This could be a useful discussion starter for groups looking at difference, prejudice or people of faith.

• What is there about the video that is what you'd expect?
• What surprises you most about the video?
• How did the video make you feel about the people in it?
• How did the video make you feel about people in your own community
• Has the video changed the way you think? If so, how?

Musical evening

If you're free on the evening of Saturday 27th September why not pop along to St Wulstan's in Warndon:

PRAISE AND WORSHIP EVENT
At St Wulstans Church, Warndon 7.30pm Saturday 27th September

Music & worship led by Singer
Songwriter
John Wilson
of aLive Ministry

Come and enjoy an evening of music praise and worship

Conferences coming up

If you're working with young people in a rural parish there are a couple of things on the horizon that might be of interest. Firstly there's a conference run by the Rural Youth Network on 'Young people making a difference - the social inclusion of rural youth' on the 25th September 2008 at the Novotel Hotel East Midlands. This has been sponsored by the Commission for Rural Communities, is due to take place.

There is also a day in January with Canon Martyn percy from Ripon College Cuddesdon which Gloucester diocese are hosting called the Multiparish Benefice Conference The Art of the Possible which includes sessions on children's and youth work.

If you're working more in a detached setting why not check out the Annual Conference for The Federation for Detached Youth Work at the Britannia Hotel in Standish, Wigan from Thursday 13th - Saturday 15th November. They will be looking at 'Detached Youth Work in a Multi-Agency integrated setting - a brave new World?' It's a little pricey at £300 members and £350 non-members. If you want to know more you can e-mail the FDYW .

Nooma

What is Nooma?
Nooma is a revolutionary product that is changing the way people experience spirituality – a series of short films on DVD with a 32 page discussion guide.

It's not a book or a cassette tape. And it's not a CD or a two-hour movie. It's a new format called NOOMA® — short films, between 10 and 14 minutes long, about God and our lives. Since its limited online release in November 2002, NOOMA has impacted millions of people. Because of this initial success and great potential, Zondervan has partnered with NOOMA to bring these films to the world.

How can I use Nooma?
Noomas are appropriate for personal and small group settings, congregational meetings, and much more. Like parables, they use the experiences of our lives to teach about the fullness of life through Jesus, tackling issues like forgiveness, discipleship, and unconditional love. The study materials accompanying each NOOMA encourage meaningful discussion with relevant questions and biblical references.

Who’s behind Nooma?
Rob Bell, a leading pastor and breakthrough communicator in the Christian community, is featured in the first series of Noomas. He is the author of Velvet Elvis and Sex God.

How do I access Nooma?
You can contact the Department of Children Youth and Education on 01905 732825 or by email and request a particular dvd from the following selection. We will then send the DVD out to you or hold it for you to collect. There is no charge for hire. We only request that you return the DVD by post or hand in good condition. We will charge for replacement or damage to ensure the resource remains available to other parishes.

More Funding Oppotunities

Refugee and Asylum Seekers Initiative
This a programme run by The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
The programme would like to receive applications from community organisations delivering services or advocacy directly for children and young people under 21 who are refugees and/or seeking asylum. The minimum grant is £3,000 and
though there is no upper limit, the Fund expect most grants to be around £50,000.
For more information, see their website or contact:
Email:
memorial.fund (at) memfund.org.uk


V Match Fund For Youth Volunteering Projects
V, the organisation that champions volunteering, has announced that voluntary organisations and charities using or planning to use young volunteers have the opportunity to double the amount of funding generated from the private sector (a profit-making business; and/or a grant making trust or foundation; and/or an individual) through the v Match Fund. Successful applicants will need to develop innovative and inspiring volunteering opportunities that engage young people (16 - 25 year old), in volunteering. V has developed a set of core themes for the Match Fund: health and well being; environment; supporting children and young people; community cohesion; poverty; and human rights. There are two application deadlines: 29th August and the 31st October 2008. See website.

Various funding opportunities

Funding is now available to local and national charities or not-for-profit organisations that address rural and urban deprivation. Under the Urban Deprivation grants are available for projects that could include for example;• youth clubs; • training schemes to help people out of unemployment; • drop in centres for the homeless. For further information see Trusthouse Charitable Foundation.

The Small Grants Scheme is open to community and voluntary groups and has been designed for projects with a total cost of under £50,000, grants can be awarded of between £2,000 and £15,000. Typical projects suitable under the WREN small grant scheme might include;• village halls or community centres • skates parks and play areasThe closing date for applications is 5 pm on the 26th September 2008. For further information.

Young Roots offers grants of between £3,000 and £25,000. The scheme aims to involve 13-20 year-olds (up to 25 for those with special needs) in finding out about their heritage, developing skills, building confidence and promoting community involvement. To receive a Young Roots grant, your project must relate to the varied heritage of the UK and: • provide new opportunities for a wider range of young people aged 13 to 25 to learn about their own and others' heritage; • allow young people to lead and take part in creative and engaging activities; • develop partnerships between youth organisations and heritage organisations; and • create opportunities to celebrate young people's achievements in the project and share their learning with the wider community.In April 2008 the Heritage Lottery Fund introduced new application materials and guidance for this programme. During this transitional year the Fund will start assessing applications under this new programme on the 1st September 2008 decisions will be announced within 10 weeks of an application. For Further information see their website.