In our Spring 2012 newsletter you will have read about the exciting developments with the in:School project and our partnership with it. in:School has just launched its new website where you can find out all about the project and its vision.

Why not have a quick browse now : www.in-school.co.uk

You can sign up to the in:School specific mailing list by emailing office@in-school.co.uk

Every Thursday we run a lunch club in Nova Hreod School. On average we get about 10 young people who regularly attend, although we often have people who will pop in on random weeks. During this time with the young people we play a few games and then have a short talk. We usually cover topics such as respect, hope, love etc. This term we have started looking at some of the teachings of Jesus, looking at topics such as, justice, revenge, money and judging others. We hope to be able to have some good discussions about these topics and have a chance to share with the young people what Jesus teaches on these topics in Matthew. Please pray for the regulars that attend lunch club that they will listen to the talks and understand how what Jesus taught is relevant to today.

Back in March Amy, Rob and Laura took a group of young people from Pinehurst to the Motion indoor Skate Park in Bristol. It was an exciting day of ‘firsts’ for many. For some, they had never been to motion, others had never been on a train, for Amy Rob and Laura, they had never been down a ramp on a scooter – turns out it’s pretty scary! The most exciting part of the trip was when one boy, who had never been to a big skate park, conquered his fear by going down a six foot ramp. He was stood at the top for about 10 minutes talking himself into it! Think about the feeling you get at the end of a diving board, it’s a little like that!

FlameFM is now live on 87.7fm and online via www.flamefm.co.uk.

Whilst I would encourage you to listen as much as possible to the fantastic variety of shows being produced by Christians from around the town, I would love you to especially tune in to listen to the following shows that we have been involved in producing:

You.Fish.Shoes (Say it out loud!), Chris Priddy and Bishop Lee talk with some young people about life as a teenager in 2012. Monday 7th, 14th & 21st at 4pm

The Children’s Ministry Show with the in:School team. Wednesday 9th May at 3pm.

We have had the privilege of working with year 7′s in Dorcan Academy every Monday lunchtime since last September. The opportunity arose with Abi Corry from in:School when she began transition work from local primary schools into Dorcan. As Abi’s role is with primary school aged children, she contacted us to continue the work she had started in Dorcan.

Chris and Luella go into the school every week and chat to young people about life, school, worries and faith. We have run a couple of competitions with the young people looking at who they are and their interests and a campaign around respecting others. Luella has built a good relationship with a polish girl, who is finding adjusting to life in England tough. It has been great to try and build up her confidence, and her English language skills as well as learn some polish along the way!! Working in Dorcan every Monday has been a great catalyst for opening up other opportunities in the school, such as assemblies, and Year 9 and 10 LUSH lessons. Please continue to pray for our work in Dorcan.

Easter is an exciting time for anyone working within the church! This year was no exception as Shine Pinehurst took church out onto the streets of Pinehurst and brought the Easter fun day to them. The day included egg races and egg roulette, a VERY messy quiz – you wouldn’t have dared to get a question wrong! Laura was involved in running the Labyrinth in the community after a successful instillation at Swindon Academy. The day attracted over 200 people with around 50 young people and adults visiting the Labyrinth in total. The labyrinth is an audio tour around a marked out maze in which you go on a spiritual journey, looking into yourself, towards God and then finally out towards others. One boy even exclaimed “God is in that tent!”

Annabel will be joining SYFC as a YFCone Intern from 16th April on a 3 month placement. We are really looking forward to her joining the team for this time. She writes:

Hello, my name is Annabel Guest, I am 20 years old, I was originally born in Nottingham but my family moved to Worcester when I was 3 and I have lived here ever since. The reason I am coming to Swindon is because Youth for Christ have given me the opportunity to be put into an environment where I have the chance to work and help other people. I want to be able to make a difference in peoples lives especially in the lives of young people. God has given me such a passionate heart for helping others that I feel this is what God wants me to do. I am excited to come to Swindon because I will have the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, help others, gain valuable youth work experience and learn new skills and new ways of working with young people. I think it is a great opportunity and can’t wait to start!

Every Wednesday we meet in the RE room at Commonweal School. The group of young people who gather for Chatroom has varied throughout this year, however we have a core number of about eight year 11 girls who always attend the lunch club. These girls regularly struggle with friendship issues, bullying, self esteem and confidence. The past few months Luella and Amy have journeyed with the group of girls providing a safe space for the girls to come and openly discuss the ongoing issues they are facing. Often the weekly sessions are less about what we have planned and more about what the girls need that week. It has been tough at times to walk with these girls, but amazing to be part of their struggles and provide someone they can talk to and work through some of these issues with.

We were invited to take part in Diversity and Equality week at New college last week where

we explored the topic of dreams with the students. Luella and Rob spent a couple of hours chatting with passing young people asking them to write their dreams on a thought bubble and peg it to the washing line. Some of the dreams included: Travelling the world, learning how to play a musical instrument, to do well at university, to become a film editor, pass my exams, become a musician and to meet Beyonce again! It was a great opportunity to talk to the young people about their dreams and how they can achieve them.

Please pray for the college volunteer chaplicay team who are in the college every day of the week meeting with and offering spiritual care to the students and making use of the colleges new Faith Room.