Posts from The Youth Blog

Minute to Win it Highlights

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:42:03 GMT

The Lounge (15-18s) returned on Friday night for the first time in 2012. It was a real laugh! As promised, the highlights below...enjoy!

Next week: Root Groups, Friday 19:30-21:30 at The Centre. See you then!

New Term

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:17:37 GMT

The new term is here – Root61 is back! The new term kicks off this Friday with The Project for 11-14s and Eat the Word for 15-18s.

Friday 13 January – The Project (11-14s): Carnival & (15-18s) Eat the Word part one

Friday 20 January – Root Groups (11-18s): Freedom in Christ part seven

Friday 27 January – The Project (11-14s): Guys & Girls night & The Lounge (15-18s): Minute To Win It

Friday 03 February – Root Groups (11-18s): Freedom in Christ part eight

Friday 10 February – The Project (11-14s): Who Said That? & (15-18s) Eat the Word part two

Friday 17 February – Half Term Holiday

Friday 24 February – Root Groups (11-18s): Freedom in Christ part nine

Friday 02 March – The Project (11-14s): Bowling (tbc) & The Lounge (15-18s): Bowling (tbc)

Friday 09 March – Root Groups (11-18s): Freedom in Christ part ten

Friday 16 March – The Project (11-14s): Balloon Frenzy & (15-18s) Eat the Word part three

Friday 23 March – Root Groups (11-18s): Freedom in Christ part eleven

Friday 30 March – The Project (11-14s): Project’s Got Talent & The Lounge (15-18s): Angry Birds

Easter Holidays – back on Friday 20 April

See you on Friday!

James and the team

Parents Update Jan 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:54:10 GMT

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

Details regarding Root61 this term...

Friday Nights

We will be starting back on Friday 13th January, 7.30-9.30pm at the centre. We will be starting with The Project for 11-14s and Eat the Word (see below) for 15-18s. Full programme details will be released very soon, watch this space.

Root Groups

Root Groups this term will start on Friday 20th January and we will be continuing with Freedom in Christ for young people. It was excellent last term and we are really excited about the next stage of the course.

Eat the Word (15-18s)

Eat the Word is a brand new introduction to the Friday night programme. Just for 15-18s, it is an opportunity to eat some food together (always fun) and then get our teeth stuck into the word of God (yep the Bible) in a deep and meaningful way. We will be exploring how we can develop the habit of really living out the text and not just reading the Bible like you might read a text book or even a great novel. We're really excited about Eat the Word, we think it will really help deepen our walk with God and make our devotional times fresh and exciting as we "eat" the word and really let it change us. Exciting!

On a practical note, bring a Bible and £3 to help contribute to food costs (we can get better food that way!) Any questions or probs, give me a shout.

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else (11-14s) - Important notice!

We will be taking a short break from Tea & Toast for the month of January (Sunday's in January are a bit different this year) and so we will start with T&T in February at the 11.30am meeting.

Loco-parentis forms

This term some of the activities are away from the centre. On Friday 13th we will be sending youth home with a loco-parentis (permission) form. Please fill in and return to the next event.

As usual, any questions then please get in touch.

It's good to be back!

James

Festive Food and Film

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:42:22 GMT

Hey there Root61'ers...

It's Christmas!!

And we would love you to come and join us for an evening of "FESTIVE FOOD AND FILM" this Friday, 16 December 2012 at The Centre, 7.30-10pm. Please note the slightly later finishing time (we don't want to send you home before the movie finishes!).

There will be lots of food and a choice of three films (you choose), so see you on Friday. If we don't have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and we will see you in January. Check back here at the beginning of January for details of next term.

See you Friday,

The Root61 Team

Table Talk 20 November

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:35:06 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table -Talk

Holy Spirit – 20th November 2011

This week we talked about the Holy Spirit.

Discussion Points:

What does it mean to be baptised in the Holy Spirit?

Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit? What happenedat the time and what lasting effects did this have on your life?

How does the Holy Spirit help us to live for God? What’s your personal experience of this?

How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Spend some time praying together as a family that God would fill you each with his spirit and empower you to live for him.

Parents Update 15 November

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:11:02 GMT

Hi everyone,

The latest from the world of Root61…

Root Groups/Freedom in Christ

Last week we had over 30 young people at Root Groups doing Freedom in Christ which we are so thrilled about. The course has been absolutely brilliant so far and we are receiving some really positive feedback about it. We have two more sessions this term, on Friday 25 November and Friday 9 December where we will be looking at ‘Big Choices’ and ‘Strongholds’ – make the dates a priority!

Some of you have been asking me about the “steps” (the bit that comes after the course – usually done one-to-one) and whether we are going to be doing them or not. Our plan, at the moment, is to continue doing Freedom in Christ in Root Groups next term (so fortnightly) and then in the summer term offering the steps part for those wanting to go through them. At this point we will talk to each person individually and to parents and work out what is the best plan for each young person. So basically to answer the question, yes but we will talk more nearer the time.

The Project (11-14s)

This week The Project does “I want to be like…” 7.30-9.30pm at The Centre. All the usual fun and games thrown in, see you there!

The Lounge (15-18s)

This week we are having the grandly titled “Par-tay: Fair Trade Style”, 7.30-9.30pm at The Centre. We are going to be exploring the whole Fair Trade issue – what it is, how we can be involved etc – but as usual with Root61 events, the evening will have a slight twist! It will be a lot of fun and there is a genuine (promise!) prize up for grabs so don’t miss out.

Christmas Special – Friday 16 December – details coming soon but put it in your diary!

Future news – Newday 2012, 2013 and 2014!

This is organisation and communication at it’s very best (!) but here are the dates for Newday 2012 and beyond. Due to the Olympics, Newday is taking place a little later next year – Monday 13 August – Sunday 19 August. Put the dates in your diary now and don’t be booking any holidays during that week! For details of 2013 and 2014 check out the Newday website here

Have a great week, see you Friday!

James

Tea and Toast - Table Talk

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:17:24 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table -Talk

How Does God Guide Us? – 13th November 2011

This week we discussed how God guides us.

Discussion Points:

How does God guide us? Any examples from your own life of how God’s guided you?

Do you involve God in your decision-making?

Does following Jesus mean avoiding risk or being passive?

How can you involve God in the everyday, as well as the big decisions?

Weekend Away Review

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:16:21 GMT

This year's youth weekend away was probably the best yet (a big statement I know but those there would agree). We had a brilliant time at Carroty Wood, having lots of fun and laughter, taking part in various outdoor activities and then getting stuck into a series of action groups looking at various aspects of the Christian faith, from spiritual gifts to answers to big questions. It was so encouraging to see young people participating fully, having fun and encountering God. All in all, a brilliant weekend!

Take a look at the highlights video for a snapshot of what went on, make sure you watch all the way to the end...

Parents Update 1 November

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:23:57 GMT

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great half term. Root61 is back this week…

Friday night:

The Project (11-14s) 7.30-9.30pm at The Centre for Blackout Night.

The Lounge is not on this Friday, instead;

Saturday night:

The Lounge (15-18s) at Danson Park fireworks display. We will be meeting at James and Hannah’s house (contact us for directions) at 6.30pm and walking to Danson Park (it’s not far!). The fireworks start at 8pm and so we should be back at our house at around 9pm, we will have hot chocolate on our return so get your parents to pick you up 9.45pm.

Because Danson fireworks is a charity event you will need to pay. Advance tickets are £4 or £5 on the gate. You can get full details of the event including where to buy tickets from on their website; http://www.dansonparkfireworks.co.uk/

Tea & Toast returnsin the 11.30am meeting this Sunday morning for 11-14s.

See you Friday if you are 11-14 and Saturday for 15-18s.

Table Talk - Prayer

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:19:35 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table-Talk

How and Why do I Pray – 16th October 2011

This week we talked about prayer

Bible study: Matthew 6:9–13

Discussion Points:

How important do you think prayer is?

What sort of things are we taught to pray about in Matt. 6:9-13?

Let’s spend some time praying together as a family.

Weekend Away details

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:28:22 GMT

Dear Parents,

The Root61 weekend away is next week; Friday 21 – Sunday 23 October. Please find here, final details for the weekend away.

Health & Parental Consent Forms

Please ensure that you have signed the health & parental consent forms and returned them to James. Without them your child cannot come on the weekend away.

Travel to and from

To keep costs down we are asking parents to arrange travel to and from Carroty Wood (directions included). We have use of the facilities from 5.30pm on Friday 21st, so please arrive from then onwards. We will be eating together at 7pm and this will be our first session together.

Where possible, we are asking parents to share lifts. If you are unable to arrange for your son/daughter to get a lift please contact me and I will help make some arrangements.

The weekend will finish at 3pm on Sunday and so please can you be there to collect your children at 3pm. Please make every effort to be on time, as we don’t want to cause any problems with the owners. Also, some of the leaders will be going to work on Monday and will need to get home to catch up on some sleep!

What to bring

Normal clothing (make sure you bring warm clothes!)

Waterproof jacket/coat

Old clothes (some of the activities mean you might get muddy) and suitable shoes for walking (bring at least one other pair of shoes too for indoors)

Swimming gear

Plastic bag/black bin bag for muddy clothes

Toiletries

Towel(s)

Torch

Drinking water bottle

A mug for hot drinks

Any medication required e.g. hayfever remedies, inhalers etc.

Bible

Notebook & pen

Please don’t bring valuables.

Food

All food is provided. There is a tuck shop on site and so a small amount of money may be suitable.

Accommodation and Bedding

We have two bunkhouses (one for guys and for girls). All bed linen, including pillows, is provided so no need for sleeping bags.

Activities

All activities (e.g. rock climbing etc) are supervised by professional staff from Carroty Wood, our leaders will accompany young people at other times/oversee the other activities during the weekend.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Many thanks,

James

Table Talk - Jesus part 2

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 05:51:22 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table-Talk

Why Did Jesus Die? – 2nd October 2011

This week we asked the question ‘Why did Jesus die?’

Bible study: Romans 3.21-26

Discussion Points:

What’s the most selfless thing that anyone has ever done for you?

What does Romans 3.21-26 tell us about what Jesus did for us?

Do you believe that Jesus death and resurrection make a difference to your life? How?

Parents Update 28/9/11

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:58:30 GMT

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much to all of you who came to the parents evening last week. I hope you found it helpful, I was encouraged by all your comments and feedback - thanks!

This Friday...

11-14s - The Project; Transformers at the Centre, 7.30-9.30pm

15-18s - Mystery Dinner. Meet at the Centre in time to leave at 7.35pm PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE! We will be out and about in Sidcup (back to the Centre for 9.30pm), please DO NOT eat before you come as you will be fed throughout the evening in various locations.

Weekend Away - there are still a couple of places available, if your son/daughter is not yet booked in then please book them in ASAP.

Any questions etc please give me a shout,

See you Friday!

James

Table Talk - Jesus

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:00:24 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table-Talk

Who was Jesus? (September 25 2011)

This week we asked the question 'who was Jesus?'

Discussion Points:

1. What do you believe about Jesus?

2. We discussed that Jesus was fully human and that he experienced the same emotions, temptations, pain and joy that we do. How does this effect what you think about Jesus?

3. We talked about evidence in the Bible that Jesus was more than human; such as miracles. What miracles do you know about and what do they teach you about Jesus?

Parents Update 1/9/11

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:52:52 GMT

Dear parents,

I hope that you have had a fantastic summer. Now that the new term is starting, I thought it would be a good idea to drop you a quick letter regarding Root61 this term.

Your son/daughter should have received a programme by now with all the dates for this term. I wanted to draw your attention to one or two important dates and bits of information.

We start back on Friday 16 September, 7.30-9.30pm at the Centre

We have switched all of our timings to 7.30-9.30pm to avoid any confusion. 11-14s will always be at this time but certain 15-18s events may run a little later (e.g. bonfire night), we will make it clear beforehand.

Root Groups – root groups are a really important part of Root61, they are a place where we focus on encouraging one another as Christians, developing and practicing spiritual gifts, teaching and learning from the Bible, as well as worship together and discipleship etc. As such, root groups are really important in a young person’s walk with God. This term we are going to be using material produced by Freedom in Christ, it is fantastic material full of truth and easy to follow. I really urge you to encourage your son/daughter to prioritise these nights (above the other fun nights!)

On Friday 23rdSeptember I would like to invite you to a parents night at the centre running at the same time as youth, 7.30pm start. There will be nibbles and wine, an opportunity for me to share our heart for the coming year and a chance for you to ask any questions you might have. It would be great to see you there!

Weekend away – if your son/daughter is not yet booked in to the weekend away then please book them in asap, there are still some places left. It will be a fantastic weekend.

For more up to date information please check out the youth blog on the church website, I will put the new calendar up on there and try and keep it updated as much as possible.

Here’s to a great term! Hopefully see you on the 23rd if not before.

Many thanks,

James Silley

Root61 New Term

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:15:53 GMT

Root61 is back!

The new term kicks off on FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 with GLADIATORS!

Here is the programme for the new term...

Friday 16 September - Gladiators for 11-18s

Friday 23 September - Root Groups

Friday 30 September - The Project (11-14s): Transformers & The Lounge (15-18s): Mystery Dinner

Friday 07 October - Root Groups

Friday 14 October - The Project (11-14s): Facing Giants & The Lounge (15-18s): Dragons Den

Friday 21 - Sunday 23 October: Weekend Away

Half Term holiday

Friday 04 November - The Project (11-14s): Blackout Night [no 15-18s]

Saturday 05 November - The Lounge (15-18s): Fireworks [details tbc]

Friday 11 November - Root Groups

Friday 18 November - The Project (11-14s): I want to be like... & The Lounge (15-18s): Par-tay Fair Trade Style

Friday 25 November - Root Groups

Friday 02 December - The Project (11-14s): Would I lie to you? & The Lounge (15-18s): Annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year

Friday 09 December - Root Groups

Friday 16 December - Christmas Special [tbc]

See you on the 16th September!

James and the team

Newday Follow Up

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:03:50 GMT

We hope you had as much fun at Newday as we did and that you have now caught up on some sleep?! Here are some things that you can do before we kick off again in September...

10 things to do after Newday to stay connected

Spend some time reflecting on what happened to you personally at Newday. Think back over the meetings, seminars, ministry times etc. What do you think God was saying to you? Write down any things that come to mind and talk to someone about it (e.g. a parent/youth leader etc), we would love to hear from you.

Commit to running hard after God –don’t let your passion and enthusiasm die. Pray, read your Bible, worship God on your own and/or with others.

Read some of the books you bought at Newday (how about reading some of the ones you bought the year before!)

Send us any pictures or film you took during the week, we want to make a montage of highlights.

Come along to one of New Community’s prayer nights, every Wednesday in August (8-9.30pm at the centre)

Get to the week of prayer at the centre 6-8th September. Join us as we pray the new year in.

Book in to the Root61 weekend away 21-23 October 2011. Don’t miss out, limited spaces!

Mark Friday 16th September in your diary, that’s when Root61 kicks off again. Make sure you are there and invite your friends!

Pray for and invite a friend to a Root61 event this term.

Pray for Root61 this coming term. Pray that we will reach our mates, grow in Christ and serve our community.

See you soon!

Newday is here!

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:06:22 GMT

Here’s a question; what do you get when you put thousands of young people under canvas for six nights in the British summer?

Answer: invariably rain.

Welcome to Newday.

Oh the irony of thousands of young people spending an evening worshipping God, singing “Let it rain” and then complaining as they make the mad dash back to the (relative) safety of their tents while the heavens open and the Lord, in his gracious mercy, does indeed “let it rain”! Only at Newday could we spend an evening celebrating his wonderful answers to prayer and then a night time under canvas having some serious misgivings about the great British summer.

But to suggest that Newday is only a week of rain dodging would be seriously misleading. Let me ask the question again; what do you get when you put thousands of young people under canvas for six nights in the British summer?

A: thousands of lives being transformed. Hundreds called and commissioned for mission, hundreds baptized in the Holy Spirit, hundreds impacting the local communities through social action initiatives that transform the lives of local people. Exciting? Yes but check this out; hundreds responding to the gospel (over 300 first time responses in 2010) and hundreds of confirmed (there are genuine doctors on site!) healings; from the dramatic to the even more dramatic.

For those still wondering what Newday is all about, think Christian youth festival but good. Everything is on a big scale (the local supermarkets needn’t bother opening the other 51 weeks of the year and they would still make a huge profit). It is loud – the worship times are extraordinary and the gigs, deafening. It is exciting – meal times are not so much about eating food as listening to the stories of the day’s events. It is fun – the ‘free afternoons’ are action packed, from official organized sports to the completely unofficial Root61 water slide (they try and close us down every year on health & safety grounds, being responsible leaders, we just move location).

Newday is fun and it is supposed to be, after all, that is what life is all about.

But beyond the fun and games, there is a serious purpose behind the vision of Newday. Speak to any social commentator; watch the news, speak to the average person in the street, and you will hear the same thing; the perception of teenagers is not a good one. We are in danger of losing a generation. No one really has an answer to the question of what to do with young people.

But I don’t subscribe to that and neither, thankfully, do the people behind the Newday event. The answer is Jesus. And when he is involved, teenagers are transformed. Lives have meaning, life has a purpose, and its chief aim is to glorify God and to partake in his mission, redeeming communities and transforming culture. A big mission but God is a big God and teenagers dream big dreams. Excellent.

There is a generation of young people coming up fast behind us; passionate for the purposes of God, zealous for mission, raring to take the gospel to “Jerusalem, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” They love what is righteous and they hate what is evil. They are sold out, committed, eager to declare truth in a world that no longer even seeks the truth. They believe in the power of prayer, they believe that God heals today; they believe that Jesus is the answer; they even have the audacity to believe that they will see revival in their life time (remember what that feels like?). They love Jesus and they are coming through, quickly.

I know this because I have seen them. World, watch out.

Newday takes place 1-7 August at the Norfolk Showground. For more details check out the website newdaygeneration.org

Table Talk 26 June

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 01:33:32 GMT

Tea, Toast & Totally Something Else - Table -Talk

A Worshipping Church – 26th June 2011

This week we talked about worship and what it means to be a worshipper. We discussed the way that worship is an active thing that involves your heart, your mind, your body and your will.

Bible Study:John 4.21-24, Romans 12.1-2

Discussion Points:

What is worship?

What does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth?

Do you find it easy to engage with God in different settings? (e.g. individual worship, corporate worship together on a Sunday etc) Why/ why not?

How can we encourage each other as a family to worship?

WEiRD Part 2

Wed, 25 May 2011 03:32:52 GMT

This Friday 27th May at Root Groups we have WEiRD Part 2... How to dress up to really live.

7.30-9.30pm at The Centre

11-18? Don't miss out!

See you Friday

Root61 Team