- Around 60 P7 It’s Your Move booklets are given out this term
- Prayer for Youth meetings wil be held throughout the district in June.
- Three holiday clubs are now booked looking at the life of David.
- The next COOL planning meeting takes place on 19th May.
- The website has been brought up to date with Dave’s Diary, news on futurte events, COOL reports, newsletters and also PowerPoint resources.
give thanks for
- the smooth running of our weekend away
- warm welcomes from the local school communities
- funds for Peru
- new co-workers
- the FN@D&R group
pray for
- Young people currently sitting exams
- the planning for summer holiday clubs
- Alan and the work of the YFC Kick team
- many unchurched children throughout the district meeting in bible clubs weekly or monthly
- the work of the Trust as we plan for future support
In February, we held our annual service of celebration and thanksgiving in Auchtertyre Primary School. Phil Wray, Director of Regional Ministries for Scripture Union Scotland was the guest speaker. Moira Lane from the COOL committee writes:
One of the loveliest things about this year’s celebration of the work of COOL was seeing young people happy to stand up and openly pray, read from the Bible or talk about their experiences. Colin Carmichael encouraged leaders and helpers to share the fun we have in youth work and Phil Wray reminded us from Psalm 2 that Jesus is the one with the power and He will have His way. For those of you who missed it, I would recommend that you point your browser to www.ignitermedia.com and look for the short video clip which we were shown entitled ‘That’s my King!’; guaranteed to put a glow in the heart of any Christian.
Since the last newsletter I was signed off from work for an extended period of time by my GP. Coming back into things in the middle of March has meant a slow restart with many of the weekly commitments not in the diary. However, most events and visits have been able to go ahead, and the first weekend back was the annual weekend away to Alltnacriche near Aviemore.
Thirty-three young people came along from all our local groups, and we w
ere pleased to be able offer a few places to small groups in Fort Augustus and Strathpeffer. Much thanks is due to the whole team who pulled together to plan the weekend in my absence, ably led by Colin Carmichael of SU Scotland, without whom we may well have had to cancel. The teaching was brought to us by Rev. Roddy MacRae of Glenelg and Kintail, whilst I helped out our cook, Lindsay Glover from Kyle.
Our usual Easter football school didn’t run due to my absence and the long term illness of Alan at YFC, whom we continue to pray for. (www.yfc.co.uk/kick/index.htm)
I took the opportunity to overhaul our own website which has been streamlined in the hope that we can keep on top of it. Key features are my monthly diary which has resumed, and a page full of PowerPoint games and quizzes for use in groups and holiday clubs.
The return to Plockton High was really good, and I was touched by the welcome I received. My first couple of visits didn’t get me very far into the school as I was busy catching up with many people even before I reached the front door! Dave’s Club has now restarted with the usual suspects of around 10 to 15 people and Friday Nights has also made a good comeback. We’re back at Braeintra each Friday night and average 10 young people from Kyle, Plockton, Dornie and Lochcarron. This term we are looking at dramatic encounters with Jesus in the Old and New Testament. It’s also been good to welcome new workers in the area, and both David O’Neil (teacher of Business Studies) and Rev. David MacLeod (Applecross, Lochcarron and Torridon) have been along to Dave’s Club to meet the guys.
I have just started the annual distribution of P7 leavers’ books and most of the primaries have already booked me to come in. I have been leading a handful of primary assemblies and once again, a number of schools are glad to have me along during their HMI visits. The P7 books should give me the opportunity to visit every primary school before the summer. It has been difficult to arrange a convenient time for the S6 Bibles but we are still hoping to be able pass some on before the end of the year.
Looking further ahead, all the money as now been paid to the Vine Trust for Peru, although some fund raising still needs to be done to make up a slight shortfall. Do remember the team: Fiona; Verity; Tamara; Sarah and also Scot (now studying in Newcastle) that they may be challenged in their faith and a blessing to those we visit. When I return, we hope the holiday clubs will have got under way. I have written the program this year looking at the life of David and hope to be able to help in Glenelg, Lochcarron and Elgol. At the time of writing, we are unsure how best to proceed in Lochalsh and continuing in consultation with the local churches.
Coming up are two more events of note within the yearly diary. In June COOL again meets in the four parish areas to encourage and support prayer for youth and the work amongst young people. Check the website for the date of your nearest meeting. On 27th May, the Trust and other invited parties meet for the spring COOL planning meeting. Whilst much of what we do is now embedded into the school year, our big concern is how we can best continue to support the work of local congregations, making most efficient use of Dave’s time and other resources.