Ted Smith talks about Counter Culture at the Princeton Youth Ministry Seminars.

Welcome to the new and improved (it’s at least 10% better) Children & Youth Ministry News for the URC Synod of Scotland.  There are lots of events, training and development opportunities for people who work with children and young people in and around our church in the very near future so please pass on this information to others in your church.

To get in touch with Stewart Cutler, Youth & Children’s Work Development Officer, just fill in the contact form at the bottom of this post or in the CONTACT page.

Training
Barnabas Tour 2008
Christian Education Assoc Scotland presents The Barnabas Spring Tour for workers with children in churches.  Develop Your Skills With Barnabas led by Martyn Payne and the Barnabas Ministry Team.

Glasgow     Sunday 20th April 2.00pm – 4.45pm Shettleston Methodist Church, Glagsow

Kilmarnock     Tuesday 22nd April 7.15pm – 9.30pm St Kentigern’s Church, Kilmarnock

Oban         Saturday 26th April 10.30am – 12.45pm The Well, Oban

Inverness     Saturday 27th April 2.00pm – 4.45pm Ness Bank Church, Inverness

Admission is FREE.
To register in advance contact David Hamilton on 0141 956 4202 or email davidhamilton@onetel.com

CORE
More CORE Issues in Training – For Tutors, Trainers and those with responsibility for work with Children

5-7 September 2008
University of Nottingham
Cost £150 (subsidy available)

CORE Skills is the great children’s work training package from the Consultative Group for Ministry Among Children, CGMC.  This multi-level weekend offers 18 workshops looking at a variety of new CORE sessions (available to download HERE) in three different ways as well as exploring issues in spirituality, working with Government Agendas and working with young leaders.

Phone 020 7467 3791 or email secretary@cgmcontheweb.com to book or for more information.

Child Friendly Church Award

The Child Friendly Church Award is a great way for your church to think about all aspects of your work with children and young people.  The award uses a very simple framework to help you think about your vision for work with under 16s, you worship, your building and the activities you provide.

Contact Stewart Cutler for more information and become a Child Friendly Church now.

Essen-tial Spirituality
5 – 7 September 2008
Barnes Close, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Cost £50 (subsidy available)

A weekend of living in community and engaging with each other and with Bible in the same was that the Essene community at Qumran did at the time of Christ.

Contact the Youth & Children’s Office on 020 7916 8682 or email youth@urc.org.uk for bookings and information.

Pilots on Safari
Saturday 17th May 2008 from 9am -5pm at the Longleat Estate in Wiltshire.
Children aged 3 – 14: £11.00 (normally £17)
Over 15s: £14.00 (normally £22.00)

Contact Pilots by email or download information from the website www.pilots.org.uk/safari

Crossover
13th – 15th June
Broomlee, West Linton
Crossover Youth Festival takes place for the tenth time this year and promises to be better than ever with guest appearances from some Crossover legends from the last 10 years as well as some great new bands and fabulous activities.

For more information visit www.crossover.org.uk where you can download information packs and booking information.

What Do You Think?
In preparation for General Assembly.  Aged 18 – 25?  Representing Synod at General Assembly?  Then What Do You Think? is for you!!!

Heriot -Watt University
8 – 11 July 2008
Cost £30 (subsidy available from Synod)
Tour of Edinburgh included!

Contact John Brown or Heather Latimer by email or on 020 7916 8682

This is the brilliant hymn the Youth Forum wrote.  It’s to the tune of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ called ‘John Brown’s Body’.

What has happened to our planet? Where have all the seasons gone?
Summer, autumn, winter, spring – they all run into one.
It seems to rain an awful lot. Our river overflow
And stormy winds still blow.
Come and help us save our planet. Come and help us save our planet.
Come and help s save our planet. For – IT IS UP TO US!

We drive our car and fly in planes, we should take bus or train.
Our fossil fuels will soon run out, we can’t replenish them.
So exercise is what we need – so cycle or just walk.
Do it! Don’t simply talk.
Come and help us save our planet. Come and help us save our planet.
Come and help us save our planet. For – IT IS UP TO US!

Stop your carbon footprint and turn off all your lights.
Reduce, re-use, recycle and that will keep you right.
Cut down on your heating and insulate instead.
Turn off electricity before you go to bed.
Come and help us save the planet. Come and help us save the planet.
Come and help us save the planet. For – IT IS UP TO US!

The polar caps are melting fast; it rained a lot in June.
The animals are all confused and going south too soon.
We’re burning down all of the trees, releasing CO2
It’s up to me and you.
Come and help us save the planet. Come and help us save the planet.
Come and help us save the planet. For – IT IS UP TO US!

Just listen to these verses, you’re already helping out.
We’ve given you some tips and you should never be in doubt,
This planet’s all we’ve got, so let’s respect it while we can
It’s time TO MAKE A STAND.
Come and help us save the planet. Come and help us save the planet.
Come and help us save the planet. For – IT IS UP TO US!

The brilliant Climate Change play (not sure what it was called) is in the vodpod box on the right.  Just click it to watch.

 Here are some photos from the weekend!

Hi!  Welcome to FURY Scotland’s brand new youth forum blog!

Over the course of this weekend (and beyond) young people from all over Scotland will meet to discuss issues that affect them.  Our focus for this Youth Forum is  ‘Climate Chaos’.  Check up on what we are doing throughout the weekend.

On 29th February 2008 the URC Synod of Scotland will take a huge leap forward. Young people from all over Scotland will gather together for the first ever Youth Forum. They will discuss, debate, play and create with the chance to really make a difference to the life of the United Reformed Church in Scotland.

Where: Tulliallan Police College, Kincardine

When: Friday 29th Feb – Sunday 2nd March 2008

Cost: FREE

Book: Your Minister and Church Secretary have the forms

You MUST book before 12th February 2008

What else? You MUST bring an adult to look after you. This should be someone who isn’t involved in Synod if possible. They need to fill in all the forms too!

So, if you are aged 12 -16 (or someone you know is) and involved in the URC or an organisation associated with it then Youth Forum is for YOU (or them!!!).

For more information
1. check out the Information Page
2. speak to your Minister or Church Secretary
3. check out http://furyscotland.wordpress.com lots
4. phone us on 0141 332 7667