On 18th September FAITH and FAITHFUL created a 7 foot Ice Cream Sundae! It included cherries, bananas, peaches, apples, grapes and mango and was topped with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, cream and hundreds and thousands. It was very tasty and didn’t last very long! Thanks to our chefs and particularly Michelle Long. Read the rest of this entry »
“Trying to be Christian” – I attended a youth work training day at my old college in Nottingham to hear Nick Shepherd, executive team leader at the Centre for Youth Ministry, speak about how young people are engaging with the Christian faith today. He spoke about how young people saw their involvement in youth groups and church in general. He explained that community is as important as ever in providing fixed points for a young person’s faith. He also touched on the fact that ritual enables young people to experience and live out their Christianity in profound ways. I have come back inspired to put some of this into practice at St Francis Church! Read the rest of this entry »
Catalyst – Our older group for young people in years 10+ (FAITHFUL) attended Catalyst, a new large youth event at Birmingham Cathedral for young people in the Diocese of Birmingham. There was a good offering of music, both contemporary and worship, and Gavin Calver, director of YFC, spoke during the evening. For the youth workers there was a special ‘crèche’ where they could pick up information and resources! It was a fantastic evening. Read the rest of this entry »
I have heard on the news that this year is the best year for blossom for 30 years! I am not sure how you would measure that but the blossom certainly is beautiful in Bournville. It is well worth taking a walk through the parks and especially around the yachting pool on Bournville Lane and Woodbrooke Road.
FAITHFUL, our youth group for school years 10 and above, took on a green-fingered challenge before Easter and dug the borders along the cloister and door area of the church. As you can see the plants are flowering well and making the church grounds look even more beautiful. We hope all those who use the church enjoy this new splash of colour. Many thanks to Mary for helping us to make this happen.
I am delighted to be coming to Bournville in the autumn to serve my curacy at St Francis. Peter has asked me to provide a short biography by way of introduction:
Thank you for the opportunity to report back on what’s been going on and what I’ve been doing here at St Francis of Assisi over the past year. Here are some highlights:
• Our youth groups, FAITH and FAITHFUL, continue to thrive, welcoming members from the church, school and local community.
• The young people of FAITH and FAITHFUL raised over £100 for Birmingham Christmas Shelter by washing cars and making cards.
• The Nativity came out for a second year with the addition of the Three Wise Men – designed and made by the young people of FAITHFUL.
• We saw 10 young people Confirmed last year in a service here at St Francis.
• We had a successful Social Work student placement from Birmingham University in Jody Clarke.
• The prayer community was launched through which people were encouraged to pray in the Spirit of St Francis.
Read the rest of this entry »
INVICTUS – FAITHFUL, our young people’s group for school years 10+, went to see Invictus during last term. It is a film starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon about Nelson Mandela and the victorious Springboks team of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. We really enjoyed it and had much to talk about. It’s worth a viewing, so get your hands on the video when it’s released!
http://www.redpointclimbingcentre.co.uk/
Redpoint Climbing – At the end of last term FAITH, our young people’s group for school years 6-9, visited Redpoint Climbing Centre in Birmingham. 24 turned up and had a great time. It was our first visit to this particular centre and we enjoyed the personal touch demonstrated by the instructors. They made everyone feel very welcome – from beginners to experts! Read the rest of this entry »
