January 2008
  • Fund raising for Peru continues until Easter.
  • SoundWaves numbers are increasing every month.
  • The weekend to Alltnacriche is booked for 14th March.
  • The COOL Annual Report will soon be available — contact the secretary for a copy.
  • The 6th Annual Celebration is on 15th February in Auchtertye Primary. All ages welcome.

give thanks for

  • local volunteers
  • new members at Dave’s Club
  • the impact of SoundWaves
  • support we are able to offer schools
  • young people attending Christian events

pray for

  • Roddy MacRae as he prepares the weekend teaching
  • the five young people busy preparing for Peru
  • increasing interest amongst local Christians to the ministry among young people
  • guidance for planning the summer programs
  • Dave and the family
Cover photoraph
At this time of year we look forward to the COOL Annual Thanksgiving Celebration on 15th February which this year marks seven years since COOL was recognised as a charity and the end of six years with Dave as our Youth Worker.
Thank you to everyone who has helped support the project in any way. Over the next year we will continue to work towards becoming financially self supporting and through close co-operation with the local congregations aim to provide more opportunities for area wide activities and events to support and encourage the young folk and their leaders.

During this time we have been amazed at how God has provided for the work. Over the years we have been very grateful to various funding bodies including Lloyds TSB Foundation, The Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund and the Co-op who have provided grants to cover the shortfall in our finances or for the purchase of equipment. However most of our support, 85% of our finances in the last year, has come from individuals and local congregations who also provide vital prayer support and all the volunteers, who give of their time and their talents, without whom Dave would be unable to work.

Last term saw an encouraging number of pupils attending Dave’s Club in the High School. For the first time a large number of S1 boys have started attending, noticeably, but not exclusively, from Glenelg. Earlier in the year the youth leaders in Glenelg had started an inter-denominational Bible study group to disciple new young Christians. This was opened up to other friends as well after they repeatedly asked to join in and numbers ranged from 6 - 12.

In October, Dave facilitated the S6 Belief Day which was led by four local ministers and himself and was appreciated by all who attended. Later in the term, the Christian Focus Week featured ‘The One Band,’ visiting from Old Machar Church, in Aberdeen who took part in RME, music lessons and assemblies for pupils from a number of primary schools as well as the high school. Many pupils enjoyed the informal break and lunchtime performances by the band members who also provided an hour of music at the school disco.

Dave continues to provide support for local youth groups throughout the area being involved in the leadership of ‘SoundWaves’ in Broadford and helping out at A2J in Breakish. SoundWaves now has over 50 children registered, with around 40 attending each month, over half of whom are unchurched. Kyleakin Youth Club is presently in abeyance due to a lack of leaders. Glenelg and Lochcarron both have thriving Christian-based youth clubs for late primary and up.

Friday Nights @ Dave & Ruth’s has also been growing and we now regularly have up to 12 young people from five villages. With the arrival of Keziah in the Mockett household, we are currently meeting in other venues. Although the young people are all really keen to be there, the reason we are able to attract increased numbers is due to the handful of folk providing transport each week. It may be that we could reach even more young people from your village if you are able to offer this service on a Friday night. Please contact Dave or the secretary, Jill, for more details.

Twenty young people from the area have booked for the annual residential weekend in March which will be spent at Alltnacriche near Aviemore when Rev Roddy MacRae will be the speaker. It is hoped that groups from other areas will join our own young people for the weekend of teaching and activities.

Another group of five school leavers, accompanied by Dave, will be joining a Vine Trust work party going to Peru in July, this year returning to Kusi in the Andes before working on a new boys home near Cusco and Machu Picchu. Various fund raising events including a curry evening, bag packing and a baking table have already been held; more events will take place this term.

In November four inter-church prayer meetings were held across the area, focussing on the issues faced by young people. As well as being very informative, these meetings are helpful in raising awareness of all the youth work being carried out throughout the area, facilitating more informed prayer. Look out for the next prayer meetings due to be held in May, the aim of which is to equip your regular prayer meetings to pray more effectively for our young people and related ministries.

A Final Note

The work continues to be well received and supported throughout the parishes. However, there has been some disruption since the summer, due to my family circumstances. Keziah’s late birth meant that school input during the first half of the Autumn term was less than usual and the death of my father just before Christmas has effected a slow start to the Spring term. This newsletter has been written during a difficult time and God’s hand to safeguard and plan the work ahead is needed now as much as ever.