Youth Group

Youth Group News – December 2011

The youth group has had a very busy autumn, balancing activities between service (filling a mass of shoeboxes with gifts for Blythswood’s Christmas Shoe Box Appeal and participating in the September beach clean), learning (thinking about how to say “no” to doing drugs was made real when someone who had been unable to say “no” and whose drug use, dealing, imprisonment and then conversion to Christianity shared their life story), recreation (kayaking at Monikie Country Park) and spirituality (participating in a special Remembrance Day worship while on retreat).  A visit to Arbroath Fire Station was also squeezed in.

Without a doubt for those able to go, the retreat in Dalguise during the weekend 11th – 13th November was the highlight.  20 youth and adults participated, which meant a lively group and not much sleep!  The theme for the weekend was “friendship”.  The  group considered the things that make for healthy, strong friendships and thought about their circle of friends in terms of these qualities.  Then, some thought was given to the things that are harmful to friendships, considering verses from the Bible about not judging others and the Golden Rule of only doing to others as you would want them to do to you.  Stereotypes, put-downs and forgiveness were also discussed.  Hopefully the youth are now all set to be better friends and, when tempted to do or say something that might hurt a friendship, will have enough self-awareness to stop.

On the Saturday afternoon, as a break from all the brain-work of thinking about friendships, we went to the outdoor centre at Dalguise and had a great afternoon on Jacob’s ladder (three fearless youth made it all the way up to the top – about 30 feet up – the rest had more sense and went as high as they felt comfortable!!) and orienteering.

Over the autumn the number of youth attending has grown, which is great!  However, it would be fantastic to have even more, so please, if you know of any youth of secondary age, encourage them to come along and give the group a try.  The two calendars and posters below will provide more information of the group’s activities.

Youth Calendar Aug-Oct2010          Youth Calendar Feb-April11            Youth Poster

Youth News September 2011

The group has started back after the summer break.  As yet this year there are a fewer members but there is no shortage of energy and enthusiasm.  Watch out for the ‘youth tree’ which will soon be growing in the Small Hall, introducing both the leaders and the youth and sharing some of their interests.

The first few weeks of the new session will involve group building, kayaking, taking part in a beach clean and thinking about the pressures and realities of drugs.

All secondary school age youth are most welcome.  The group meets on Sunday evenings at the Old & Abbey Church Hall from 6.30 to 8pm.