Spring 2019Newsletter

Something has shifted. It’s a new season. This one is full of life. It’s very full, literally! We’re at capacity this term with doing. It’s as if someone has pulled the cork out of the bottle and the opportunities are bubbling over. But, the feeling is that the doing is the result of being true to ourselves more fully with others. It’s coming from a heart thing. It’s a time to be generous with sharing all that God has been building within us over the previous seasons - all the learning, all the frustrations, all the waiting, all the heart surgery. It’s a season to release our fears and step into the vast richness of God’s love for the people of Burton.

As a fixer and feeder I find the needs overwhelming at times. We meet young people who feel they have no value; those worried so much that it takes hold of their minds and stops them having fun; friendship issues that create a complex web of ‘he said this and she said that’. But I know I can’t ‘fix them.’ They are not a project for me to sort out and make into what I think is best. This has caused me to cry out to God - for I believe even more than ever, that only He has the power to fix and heal. He has the best plans for our young people, and He asks me to journey alongside them towards this.

Being passionate about people, young people in particular is dangerous, as it forces you to take in all of life and feel it deeply. Deep calling to deep. Life in all its fullness isn’t just feeling the great stu�, but feeling the other stu� too, knowing that Jesus is right with us in it all.

Please continue to pray for young people, those you know and those you don’t. They need to know the Healer, the Rock, the Counsellor, the Friend, the Creator, the Lover of their souls for themselves.

If you feel able to support us by giving financially, praying or by volunteering, please get in touch via our website or email me sue.garb@burton.yfc.co.uk Thank you.

Director’s Thoughts

Sue GarbCentre Director

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.”

Song of Songs: 2 v 11

Our Starbuds events continue to go from strength to strength at the moment. At our Silent Disco Christmas Party we had 71 young people from 15 di�erent local churches, and had the most amazing evening! At a silent disco, you’re handed a set of headphones on arrival, and can choose throughout the evening which DJ you prefer to listen to, flicking a switch on your headphones to swap channels. The Warehouse at Riverside Church proved to be a real atmospheric venue for the evening and we finished with our Year Out girls presenting the Gospel through the use of a Rubix Cube, with a few young people making a decision to follow Jesus. We’re thankful to NewStart for funding the equipment hire to make this happen..In January we ran a ‘Taskmaster’ Starbuds Event with some fun and manic challenges to complete, and in March we had a Starbuds Extra Film Night at the Community Church on Main Street in Stapenhill, watching ‘God’s not dead’ and afterwards being challenged by Scott Pettingale in stepping out to share our faith.

We are so excited to announce our first Starbuds Weekend Away on April 5th–7th 2019 at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire. The weekend is aimed at any young people aged 11–19 from local churches who want to develop their faith. Our theme is ‘Brave’, and we have guest speaker Dan Lodge from British Youth for Christ with us for the weekend. Youth leaders are encouraged to come with their young people, although not essential.

Please do pray for this weekend and for the young people who come, that they make brave choices. Check our website for more details of how to book, and to see the programme as it evolves.

Star Buds

This partnership project with Burton Albion Community Trust continues in 5 Secondary Schools across Burton, meeting young people weekly in small groups. The aim being to give extra support where needed, whilst o�ering learning opportunities around character and attitude.

In our classroom time we’ve had discussions on kindness, humility, empathy and gender stereotypes. Interestingly we found the girls found it easy to break stereotypes, but the boys spoke of finding it harder - for example, if they were seen to cry, they felt they would be made fun of. Sta� encouraged the young people to think through ways in which they could support each other to grow in this.

We’ve had some exciting trips both in and out of school time - from bowling balls being accidently thrown into the safety zone lanes, eating McDonalds in a car park and zip wiring at Whitemoor Lakes. Some young people experienced these activities for the first time - so it was great for building confidence and learning to work as a team.

We’d appreciate your prayers regarding the future of this project as The Breweries Charitable Trust, who have funded the project for the past 5 years, closes down. It’s been fantastic to be funded by a local trust and work in partnership throughout. We’d love to carry on serving young people through the project and are exploring ways to continue.

Respect Burton

Schools

College WorkWith funding from the Crime Commissioner we have been able to increase our presence within Burton and South Derbyshire College, alongside supporting the Chaplaincy lunchtime with Riverside Church. This has included running two enrichment sessions a week, (one for boys, another for girls), and starting a lunchtime drop-in. Students choose to come to these groups so we’ve felt privileged to meet and get to know them, creating space to discuss issues such as relationships, anxiety, family, emotions and workload.

We’ve also given ten presentations to over 500 students on progression - thinking about our childhood interests and how these have developed into adulthood. Through this we were able to share our passions - for our town of Burton, for journeying with young people throughout their developing years; and for Jesus, who motivates us in all that we do in serving them. It was great to give opportunity for all students to access our support through lunchtimes, small group work, listening and volunteering. So, watch this space!

ListeningOur listening service is now taking place in three senior schools, due to the sponsor monies raised last September. It’s a great chance for young people to speak freely and be heard in a non-judgemental way. So far 37 di�erent students have accessed the service since starting last year. For some, this is a one-o� - a need to rant or speak their feelings out for the first time, releasing frustrations and hearing their voice within it all. For others, it’s created a weekly time to check in with someone, grow in confidence at speaking out about things important to them and becoming more aware of who they are and how they work.

AssembliesThese are so much fun! Most children seem to enjoy taking part in our activities and reflections and join in with energy and enthusiasm. This past term we have been thinking about amazing people in Rykneld Primary, individual liberty in Tower View and looking at The Ink House book in Holy Trinity- linking the idea of the ink giving life to the books’ characters to Jesus giving life to those who love Him and looking at the story of the woman at the well. It’s always a challenge for us, as we aim to communicate a Gospel message or some Godly wisdom in the most creative and relevant way possible, as well as fulfilling the school’s given theme too. Hopefully we get there most times! Each time we see eager faces looking at us, ready to participate. Sometimes it feels as though they are willing us on to speak out something that will help them grow - some nugget of truth that will make sense and sink deep within their souls. Our prayer is that some will hear and respond to the nugget within our assemblies. Jesus is with us every time. He loves each one of them and He knows them by name. We believe He can answer their prayers during the reflective time. We believe that He can use our crazy games and simple words to grow faith.

We now support or run three youth clubs and one after school club for children and young people, as

well as providing free activities every Wednesday during each holiday period. This is in partnership

with St Chad’s Church and Community Centre, Riverside Church and Burton Albion Community

Trust. This has been a stretch for our team but one we felt necessary in order to increase opportunity for

young people to have a safe place to go, be with their friends and try out new activities.

For some young people, these youth clubs are the only activity they take part in outside of school. We

believe this consistent presence is the first step in reflecting God’s faithfulness to young people in a

continuously changing world. It can be hard going but we trust that God will use each connection we

make with a young person to encourage and inspire.

Youth Clubs

StapenhillStapenhill Youth Club runs every Monday from 5.15-7pm. We’ve seen over 50 young people come and join in with crafts, games,and football on the park area - along with eating up our weekly Greggs donation. We are working hard to learn names and characters - looking out for a core group of young people to help steer the club with their ideas and energy. Over the coming year, we hope to create a bespoke program of activities, building on the young people’s interests and aspirations.

Town CentreThe Warehouse, (underneath our o�ce) is now home to an after school club on Wednesdays for 4-11s, followed by a drop-in for under 18s, where they can bring along a scooter or skate board and work alongside Burton Skate Park volunteers. The younger group has steadily grown, whilst the older group is still small, but with some very keen regulars. These groups are taking longer to grow due to the town centre location, but we are hoping that as the lighter nights come along, young people will be drawn to what’s on o�er.

St ChadsSadly, we decided to finish the after school club at St Chad’s, due to very low numbers. This had been going for 8 years and was key to building many positive relationships within the Eton area and creating an older youth club which is still running on Thursdays 5.15-6.45pm.Young people are able to move easily between here and our school-based projects, sometimes attending when they’ve had a tough week and want to seek out a sta� member for a chat. They know we will be there, and this provides some stability for those who need it.

Youth ClubsThat the young people of Burton will access the provision and young leaders will grow within it.

VisionTo see what our involvement with Youth for Christ centres overseas could look like.

TeamFor team growth - in character, for courage as we move forward.

Young PeopleThat they come to a place where they are wanting to connect with God for themselves.

Prayer Points

We would like to invite you to our half termly prayer breakfast. A chance to meet the team and spend some time seeking God. Mon 25th March, 20th May & 15th July from 8am to 9am at the o�ce. Feel free to just show up.

Prayer Breakfasts

Over the Christmas period we were asked to support the Stapenhill cubs in their annual performance for parents and leaders. Sue helped the young people create a simple dance routine alongside singing two songs from the Jungle Book. It was great fun getting to know the children and encourage their creativity and confidence to blossom. They have asked us back to assist in leading e-safety workshops for them.

Singing seemed to be the flavour of the month as Sue was also asked to support Rachel Ortiz in delivering choir workshops for Winshill’s youth club held at the Resource Centre - readying the young people to lead a carol service for parents and friends. Again the young people did so well - dancing and singing with such enthusiasm, that it was sad to say goodbye.

Community

Burton The Warehouse, r/o 83 High Street, Burton on Trent, Sta�ordshire, DE14 1LDT 01283 531722 E info@burton.yfc.co.uk burton.yfc.co.ukCharity No. 1071717. A member of British Youth for Christ

19th MaySTAR BUDSSt Mary’s Hall, Hillfield Lane, DE13 0BW

6:30pm to 8:30pm

14th June (Friday)STAR BUDS EXTRA Burton Elim - The Corner Moor St, DE14 3SU Opposite the Church 6:30pm to 8:30pm

7th JulySTAR BUDS - TIME OUT The Warehouse r/o 83 High Street, DE14 1LD

6:30pm to 8:30pm

Upcoming youth events

17th & 24th April 2019HOLIDAY ACTIVITIESThe Warehouse, r/o 83 High Street, DE14 1LD10am to 12pm - Ages 4 to 11 - Crafts, Songs, Games and Stories1pm to 3pm - Ages 8 to 17 - Youth Club / Skate Park

Stay connected with us

To donate to the continuing work of Burton Youth for Christ please visit

burton.yfc.co.uk

MondaySTAPENHILLWaterside Community Centre

Youth ClubAGES: 10 - 16TIME: 5pm -7pm

WednesdayTOWN CENTREThe Warehouse, High Street

Kids ClubAGES: 4 - 11TIME: 3:45pm - 5:15pm

Youth Club / Skate ParkAGES: 8 - 17TIME: 5:30pm - 7pm

ThursdayETONSt Chad’s Community Centre

Youth Club (£1)AGES: 11 - 16TIME: 5:15pm - 6:45pm

Weekly Clubs