funky doo

Bradwell Pilgrimage

Really excited about the Bradwell Pilgrimage coming up on Saturday 3rd July. We're delighted to be welcoming Archbishop John Sentamu to be our speaker and he will be joining us on the 2 mile walk, hopefully with his drums!

 

I'm busy working on the Youth Zone which this year will feature a Labyrinth, Firestorm doing creative arts, a Games Zone including football, netball and Dodgeball and a Pamper zone as well as console games and refreshments...further details on www.bradwellpilgrimage.webs.com 

There is also a full programme of worship, workshops, stalls, refreshments and the space and beauty of the Chapel of St Peter on the Wall...come along and bring your friends, church, family, neighbours...see you there!
 

Would you like to go to Copenhagen??

 

ECO-ESSAY COMPETITION

 

·     Are you a Christian?

·     Are you aged between 18 and 29 years old?

·     Are you passionate to make a difference in God’s precious world?

·     Would you like to be a part of one of the most significant events of our time?

·     Could you be an ambassador and champion in our Diocese of churches?

 

“Yes!”.....?

…then this Eco-Essay competition is for you!

 

December's UN climate summit in Copenhagen will shape the way the world combats climate change.  It’s vital an effective deal is done for the sake of the planet which is God’s good creation and for the millions in the poorest countries who are suffering the effects of climate change now.

Chelmsford Diocesan Environment Group (DEG) is pleased to be able to offer to pay to send

FIVE DIOCESAN DELEGATES to Copenhagen.

 

Could you be one of the five?!?...

 

If so, you will be joining a group from Christian Aid, for a packed itinerary!...

 

Friday 11^th

·    Travel from UK to Copenhagen, arriving in the evening for dinner and bed at a school, where basic accommodation will be provided in dormitory-style.

Saturday 12^th:

·    Participate in large civil society march from Copenhagen city centre to the Bella Centre, where the United Nations climate change talks are taking place. You will be marching with Christian Aid partners who have come to take part in the talks and campaigners from all over the globe.

Sunday 13^th  

·    Participate in an event, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu will handover all the Countdown to Copenhagen pledges collected in the UK together with actions from across the globe to a representative of the UN. This event is being organised by Aprodev, the European coalition of which Christian Aid is a member.

·    Participate in an ecumenical church service, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will speak. The service is taking place in Copenhagen cathedral; we hope to join in via big TV screens nearby.

·    Depart Copenhagen early evening. (time TBC)

Monday 14^th

·    Arrive back in the UK at various times!

So, what do you need to do to enter this competition and be one of the five?...

 

Simply write an essay of between 2000 and 2500 words, which addresses the following brief:

 

 

“Climate-change and sustainable lifestyles are vital issues for our shared future in God’s good creation. What perspective and contribution can the Christian faith bring?  And how do we raise up a prophetic generation of young people to live out this faith and make a difference?”

  

Submission deadline: Friday 13 November 2009

 

Entries will be judged by a panel of members from the Diocesan Environment Group.

The winners will be announced by the Bishop of Colchester on Friday 20 November 2009.

 

Please send your essay entry to Paul Trathen, the Bishop’s Advisor for ‘Faith in Action’, at:

 

Rawreth Rectory,

Church Road,

Rawreth,

Essex.

SS11 8SH

 

or

 

paul.trathen@btopenworld.com

downhearted and uplifted

I don't normally post before I have even got dressed of a morning, but this is all a bit burdening, so I'll get it off my chest.

It was a slightly depressing day yesterday - lots of talk about how we might positively and purposefully end things - employment, projects etc. It's a sad place to be when things that you have worked long and hard for just don't work out how you might have hoped. My support group meeting yesterday lunchtime was a welcome space for me to talk through and process some of these very raw feelings, but it still felt quite pants overall! I really struggled with overwhelming feelings of cynicism, negativity and sadness yesterday afternoon, whilst attempting to gather myself together for my evening engagement. Some tought decisions have to be made and while I want to make those with wisdom, there is also a danger of taking too long to come to a point of 'ok, this is what is happening'...procrastinating is the way of the church but it can add to the feelings of destruction and pain so I want to minimise that...pray for me!

On the flip side, I had the most wonderful evening in the company of 10 people incl the Vicar from St David's Church, Eastwood, for whom I was delivering training for the launch of their new Tweenagers group in September. We took some time to think about adolescent faith development and dealing with challenging behaviour as well as considering the practical issues about setting up the group (ratios, health and safety, outline sessions). This has been a well thought through, prayerfully considered and diligently executed new project which has some good funding behind it and the support of the church. The enthusiasm, excitement and commitment in the room was so encouraging and humbling and I am looking forward to my visit to the new group in October...

So thank you St David's for reminding me of why I do what I do, for making it simply and clearly apparent that this is the kingdom work for which we are all called - reaching out to young people, enabling them to explore who they are and what the Christian faith might mean for them and providing space for meaningful continuous relationships to be built for the future.

Must get dressed now!! x

half term - sigh....

This half term has gone very quickly so far - anyone else think that??

Anyway, it's now the half term holiday although I have been working today and present at a meeting of the Bradwell Area Core and Extended Team of Bishop's Advisers, plus the Area Deans, followed by the Area Pastoral Committee discussing Mission Opportunity Fund applications....phew! Bishop Laurie described meetings such as that as 'backroom business' - stuff that needs to be done to help the parishes get on with the kingdom work...good motivator but I still needed a lot of caffeine to keep focused throughout!

I'm kinda enjoying my new car - a Vauxhall Meriva.   It drives, it has electric gizmos and other related stuff that is nice but it's black which is a major disappointment. My purple Fiesta was a great talking point when I started in post nearly 3 (!!) years ago and it's departure is a sad day for all - especially me when trying to find my vehicle in a multi storey car park!! It's also definitely a family vehicle! I must get used to this, since Matilda is nearly 2 but somehow it is a final statement of being grown up!!

a life of privilege

Directed to this exercise by Paul Trathen, my colleague on the Area team.
From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Indiana State University. If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.

(text below copied from Step into Social Class 2.0: A Social Class Awareness Experience. Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka, Indiana State University, © 2008)

Bold the true statements.

1. Father went to college.
2. Father finished college.
3. Mother went to college.
4. Mother finished college.
5. Have any relative who is or was an attorney, physician, or professor.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
9. Were read children’s books by a parent.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs.
16. Went to a private high school.
17. Went to summer camp.
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18.
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.
24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home.
25. You had your own room as a child.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course.
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

I have 11 out of 34 from that list…. I realise what a life of privilege I have had - even though I 'scored' less than both Paul and his original link Dennis. Dennis' comment is very true, that even answering any 'yes' indicates the obligation we have to do something with the benefits and privileges we have had.

He continues. "It is a reminder that we should be working to break down some of the barriers to other's success rather than bemoaning the fact that so many people don't get up and make something of their life. Perhaps they need a few early breaks, too, like so many of us were lucky enough to receive."

This is particularly true within work with young people - being at meetings today with a church considering a full time volunteer shows how much 'time' is needed to invest in young lives which sadly the congregation and clergy are not able to give - not through fault of their own but because of the pressures placed on them by the 'church' and their 'status'. Their privilege of being able to study & get a job, has also led to a seperation from the real world to some extent - that goes for all of us. We live in a little bubble, think we're hard done by and think that is an excuse to keep things as they are.

My thoughts are somewhat invaded by my daughter who is teething and crying almost constantly tonight, so I hope you don't mind me signing off to see to her. Blessings all...

accountability

I was just thinking - as I sit here writing my report for the Bishop's Team meeting on Tuesday - that this report would actually be useful for some people out there to see aswell. Many of you, through your giving on a Sunday and through the Parish Share, contribute to my salary for which I am hugely grateful. So I publish my report here to give you an idea of what you pay for and what I manage to do in an average month (actually, December is not an average month really, so maybe look at next months' and see how it compares!)

Alice Smith

Bradwell Episcopal Area and Basildon Deanery

Youth Adviser

                        

11^th December – 22^nd January

Meetings:

Bradwell Area Youth workers gatherings including prayer, Bible study news and coffee. Usual numbers of 5-7 youth workers/volunteers.

Essential Calling 2 residential planning meeting.

Continuing monthly meetings with Andy Poultney and Ray Gibbs.

Asheldham Management Committee meeting – dealing with personnel changes and preparation for Adventure Unlimited Trustees meeting on 22 January.

Meeting with Steven Webb at Asheldham Centre to discuss proposed changes to charity status and get his advice on progress.

Supervision with Bishop Laurie.

Meeting with Andy Griffiths as new Rural Dean to discuss presentation, new developments and Galleywood youth worker.

Lay Discipleship Adviser lunch and meetings.

Joint meeting of Youth Advisory Group and Children’s Committee to discuss better joint working and make future plans.

Visits to:

Southminster Links Group – 3 further visits planned as they set up new 15+ group.

Mezza 9 youth group in Stanford le Hope to plan next Lifted youth worship event.

Carol Smith at St Luke’s Moulsham to discuss current youth work provision.

Brentwood Deanery Synod presentation with question time.

Susan Ives to talk about her new role on Chelmsford North and South Deaneries.

Enid Pow to see how things are going since my training to her youth group leadership in September.

Events:

Celebration of Youth Ministry – Launch of Equipping training and Essential Calling 2 – fantastic event with 170 volunteers in attendance.

Training:

Child Protection training at St Luke’s Prittlewell.

Preparation is ongoing for Equipping course starting in 1^st week of February.

Ongoing Projects:

Confirmation – as part of national DYO research group to assess the impact of confirmation and preparation for confirmation on young people’s faith journeys.  Visits to groups planned for this term and next.

Asheldham Centre and Adventure Unlimited.

Thurrock Deanery Youth Project (TDYP) and moving forward.

All Saints Springfield – undertaking an audit of their youth work. Visited morning service on 20 January and will be making further visits before submitting report and recommendations.

Sophia Network for women in youth ministry – organising a network day in the Area.

Falcon Camp preparation and team building ahead of residential in July.

Other than that:

2 weeks off over Christmas were ‘sicky’ but managed to have some time out. Looking forward to the big 3-0 this year with a holiday to the States.

Continuing to blog at http://alisssmith.typepad.com/alice_smith/ and speaking at upcoming Be:woman event in Maldon.