A new youth project has been started in Portskewett called “Y-Worship”.
A mixture of the latest and most modern dance, music and drama, its a spin-off from the very popular YES project. However, Y-Worship, being non-eucharistic, allows for a little more freedom in its approach to worship and the popular arts. Its mission statement is “Using the popular performance arts to reconnect young people with God”.
About twenty young people came to audition and will be learning and rehearsing over the next few months to prepare for a worship event scheduled for the new year - watch out for more news!
YES Residential
Youth Officer Pam Richards is often asked: “How can we work with young people?”
Anyone who was in the chapel of St Michael’s College for the YES-RES-09 closing worship received the definitive answer: “That’s how!” Times of quiet reflection, loud celebration, and laughter marked the culmination of a week of hard graft in a service which glorified God.
The focus for the residential was preparation for the ‘Year of the Child’ celebration in Caldicot Castle, rehearsing and recording (a new experience for most) the material to be used. Sarah and Jenny did us proud in directing our music and drama, and Mandy’s voice-coaching session was very well received. We worked hard, we played hard; enjoying a quiz, rounders and bowling. Thursday evening saw Sharon’s birthday dinner-party and the terrific review and presentation night rounded off with a story from the birthday girl – a fantastic time was had by all.
Worship naturally played a large role in the retreat, with daily Morning and Evening Prayer for all, nightly Compline for staff, and a Eucharist. Pam set up her beautiful spiritual journey on the Beatitudes, and the prayers the young people wrote in response moved the leaders to tears.
Once again the week flew by. All too soon we had to part. It was clear that some solid friendships had been made and many didn’t want to leave.
The biggest question is................ how many days until next year’s residential?
Nick Jones