Partners’ Newsletter Summer 2022
Director Writes It is always so encouraging to hear how God continually moves in people’s lives and transformation and growth happens. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
so well. St Philip’s Church came fully alive with an audience from communities around Bath. The young people were so passionate about their dances, and it clearly is a way for them to express feelings - we saw tears flow down some of their faces during the performance.
In this edition of partners, you will read about how new creations and seeds of hope are being sown in the lives of both young people and our team.
It has also been great to see Meg (SWYM Student) start to take on more responsibility and gain more confidence in youth work. This year, Meg has connected more with the local Churches and started to facilitate and lead discipleship groups in Peasedown.
Katie Little is moving on to the land down under with her family! Such a great opportunity for them as a family and for Joe her husband to develop his engineering career in the field of sustainable energy sources. We will all miss Katie’s positivity, her heart for young people and the gift of bringing God’s love into secondary schools in Bath through assemblies, groupwork and mentoring. You can read more on pages 4 & 5. Motus Dance is fully back!!! The Dance show was amazing with all the dancers performing
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Finally, it has been encouraging to witness Churches becoming more aware of the needs of their communities. It appears God is starting to call us out of our Churches to build relationships and hope through mentoring young people in the community. You can read more on page 8. God bless and peace. Dave Joyce
A2 Over the last few months, the worship nights have been gathering momentum and seen more young people, youth groups and leaders getting involved. An average of 60 young people come together to worship and have fun on a Friday night. Summer Fest was the first of our outreach events this year. The plan for the event was to host it at the Bath Recreation ground and have a football tournament, ice cream van, inflatable assault course and lots more fun. Unfortunately, the rain meant we had to cancel the football tournament and change venue last minute to St Matts, Widcombe. The inflatables, games and food were enjoyed by over 75 young people. The next outreach event – Winter Fest - will take place in December, with a plan to host a night of musical talent at Komedia. To find out more you can follow the A2 journey at: https://www.a2youthtogether.com/ ‘A2’ is a local partnership of churches/ youth workers who have started meeting together and organising events for young people in and around the city of Bath. Nick Blythe, our Team lead Youth Worker and part of the a2 collective core team reports on what has happened recently and future plans. A2 is committed to running 5 main events through the year • Monthly worship nights for young people • Monthly youth workers breakfast • Citywide youth Alpha • 2 annual outreach events (Summer Fest & Winter Fest) • A youth workers banquet All events focus on the phrase ‘gathering youth / gathering leaders’. Our heart is to encourage unity in the city. 3
Moving On… Change is not always easy, and it is a sad occasion when we have to say goodbye to a member of our team. Here Katie Little reflects on her time with Bath Youth for Christ and tells us a little about her next phase of life. I joined the Bath Youth for Christ team after completing a degree in Early years development and Education. At the start of my university course, I had a plan to become a primary school teacher, but on finishing decided on a different direction. I jumped straight in at the deep end, delivering Christmas assemblies for a week to the whole of Hayesfield School!! At this point I thought I was signed up for the wrong job, public speaking is not a passion of mine. Yet here I find myself 7 years later, seeing my career develop from trainee school’s worker, to heading up the school’s work and then taking on the role of mission’s coordinator. It has been a steep learning curve, walking into each day in school blind, never knowing what I would journey with my young people that day. Through it all, I can’t help but thank God for placing me in each of their lives at the right moment in time. He knew when they needed the dedicated support and love of a school’s worker. The story below is a great example of just what an impact we can make in the lives of young people. I was recently in a shop and recognised the voice of a young girl I had mentored in the early days of my work with BYFC. Her home life was frantic and messy, making school her haven! She found mentoring invaluable, someone giving her time and space to just be her! She even went on to spear head our peer mentoring scheme in the school for several years, to support younger girls. With joy in her voice, she told me that her sister is now receiving all the help she needs in school, and that she is now in her final year of university studying Education and Psychology with a plan to become a teacher. She knows from first-hand experience that having someone on your side and believing in you can make a huge difference. With a heart filled with hope we parted ways. 4
You never know how God is going to use you, or how young people’s stories will develop, but this is why I went to work, so young people knew someone had time for them, cared for them and got a glimpse of God’s love! Over this last year, God has continued to bless me and my family, firstly with the arrival of our beautiful baby girl; Maisie Joy Little, followed by the upcoming next chapter for us, which will see us move literally to the other side of the world. We are relocating to Melbourne, Australia, to follow my husband’s call to work in the field of renewable energy. Thank you all for your prayers and support in my time at BYFC. Continue to pray for the future of this role and all the young people the team will continue to walk alongside, demonstrating Gods love in a practical way! All my love, prayers and blessings, Katie! Postscript We are pleased to let you know of the appointment of a new member of staff. In September, Rachel Hornsby will be joining us as Lead Schools Worker & Volunteer Coordinator, to continue and develop the great work Katie has grown over the past few years.
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A YEAR OF CHANGE FOR MOTUS DANCE This year has been a big year of transition for the dance academy. We started September in a new venue after clearing and decorating the hall at Roundhill Hub. During covid a lot of dancers stopped coming to the academy and our numbers were low. However, the boost of a new hall and lots of new mirrors meant that the young people finally had their own space, and they really took ownership of the academy. The past few months have seen the dancers absolutely thrive. Their performances at the showcase and in school assemblies have been at a standard not seen before. Their relationship and dynamic as a group are incredible. It has also been great to see how they support and enthuse one another. As new members have arrived, they have been welcomed into the ‘family’ and the group has gone from strength to strength.
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In November ‘Mini Motus’ started for children in the last 2 years of primary school. Freja and Sam have been providing lunch time dance lessons in primary schools which has fed into Mini Motus and will continue to bring in new members when the next school year begins. Motus has always been a second family for our young people, and it was time to develop that further by starting a ‘pre academy’. This means that by the time the dancers are ready to join the older academy, they will have a good concept of street dance and performance and will have been working with each other, supported, and encouraged by the older dancers. This new group has also provided a development opportunity for some members of the academy allowing them to choreograph and teach their own material for the ‘Mini’s’. This is a great opportunity for them to step
into a mentoring and leadership role and creates a ‘big sister’ relationship for the younger dancers. It was fantastic to finally be able to put on our annual dance show again after a 2-year break due to covid restrictions. Even more exciting was the opportunity for Mini Motus to perform for the first time alongside Motus as well as performing some of their own dances. It was an incredible evening, and we were so proud of how well the older girls looked out for and helped to direct the new group.
As the school year comes to an end, we already have more new members, and the groups are working on material for the next dance show. Sam & Freja are excited to see the first members of Mini Motus move up into the Academy as well as Motus growing together as their confidence continues to rise and their ability to choreograph and perform develops further.
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Making a difference in the community We have been mentoring young people in the school setting for several years but have little experience of doing so in the community. Here Dave explains how he has had an opportunity to reach out to a young man to help him develop confidence. I was recently asked by a local Church if we could help a young person in its community who was isolated and at risk of many future difficulties. The Church had advocated for the family several times in meetings with social workers, but the young person did not meet the threshold to receive local authority support and other voluntary sector organisations did not have capacity to help. His future was looking quite bleak. Our involvement had been suggested and the family and young person agreed to give it a go. I committed to meeting the young man for 6 weeks during June and July. Initially he was anxious and nervous about leaving the house.
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However, in week 2 he agreed to walk to the local Tesco where we bought a drink and sat outside the Church, chatting about Marvel, school, and family. In week 4 he suggested we went to see the new Thor movie in the cinema! It was amazing to see how his confidence had grown in a short time. He had also built up the courage to submit a job application. In week 6, we went to the cinema, which brought a change to the young person’s facial expressions as you could start to see hope and a future being built again. I will continue to work with this young person in September to help him start to make important steps into adulthood. If you or someone you know could mentor a young person through our school’s work and community mentoring, then please get in contact with Dave Joyce, dave@bathyfc.co.uk
Messing about on the Avon! This year’s team day saw us taking to the river Avon in two-man kayaks with Original Wild, from Victoria Bridge to Pulteney Weir and back again. The route was stunning, passing canoes, swans, lily pads and the odd porta loo floating innocently in the river! The weather was sunny and hot, and the occasional splashing was quite welcome. The activity was a great success, with not one man overboard the whole 2 hours! Big shout out to Amy who stood up in her kayak! A couple of our team members chose to stay on land and enjoyed a coffee in the sun, welcoming back the intrepid explorers upon their return.
It’s safe to say this year’s team day pushed quite a few members out of their comfort zone, and they all handled it tremendously!
We then headed to the Cosy Club to refuel, recover, and relax. It was great to spend time together eating delicious food, sharing laughs from the morning’s activity, and discussing summer plans.
Building Community We have always been aware that the needs of young people in the outlying areas of Bath can sometimes be forgotten, and it is encouraging to hear of how projects are providing vital support in these communities. Here Jane tells us of her recent experiences in Timsbury & Camerton. Timsbury Youth Project works to bring together and engage with young people from the local community. This is partly achieved through the Friday evening Youth Clubs usually held at the YMCA. For the summer months we have moved into the local park which is a hive of activity including families using the play equipment and cricket matches. On one occasion a large Indian wedding was being held in the village hall and one of the younger guests escaped to join in our game of football! It is good to be out in the open and have natural conversations with parents, dog walkers and other passers-by.
On one evening in July, we had twenty-eight young people joining us for at least part of the evening. Every week I volunteer at Timsbury Primary School which is a key place in the local community. Recently I helped at the Sports Day and led a lesson with Rev Blewett to help prepare year 6 students for the move to secondary school. We were also able to gift them each the Scripture Union booklet ‘It’s Your Move’ which has lots of helpful advice to calm fears and encourage a positive new start. I also had the privilege of attending the School Leaver’s Service at St Mary’s Church. In Camerton, I am working with St Peter’s church to help them bless and get to know their local families through a monthly youth group Pizza@St Pete’s where we provide fun activities and a meal. In all we do we aim to have Jesus at the heart of our communities.
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Providing an opportunity to develop a new youth leader We have been privileged to provide a placement opportunity for a SWYM student over the last two years. Here Meg tells us about some of her learning experiences. Over the last term, I have come to the end of my second year studying Applied Theology with Moorlands Southwest, and the second year of my placement with Bath Youth for Christ. Part of the study programme involves going to Lee Abbey for 6 weeks per year for teaching modules. It is a beautiful location and I feel blessed to be able to spend time in such a place.
Working as part of the Bath YFC team has presented me with so many incredible opportunities. Most of my role is focused at the Hive in Peasedown St. John, helping to run youth club on Mondays and Wednesdays, leading the mentoring programme, and working with 2 of the local churches to set up a discipleship group for young people aged 1114 which will begin in September. I’ve also had the privilege of mentoring young people in Ralph Allen, supporting students and bringing small joys into their weeks. We often do craft activities, and I even got to take one mentee to McDonalds! In all the projects and work I have been a part of, God has been constantly blessing me with amazing young people, team and volunteers, answers to prayer, and incredible people to support me!
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Ways to Support We are so grateful for the support we receive to enable us to continue our work with young people. There are many ways in which you can support us.
Pray see page 5 for prayer points
Volunteer could you spare some time to help deliver any one of our projects?
Fundraise from cake sales to running the Bath Half, get creative and let us know your ideas so we can help publicise your event. Donate through our website https://bath.yfc.co.uk/ donate/ sign up to Amazon Smiles to give when you shop by BACS – contact admin@bathyfc.co.uk for details
Bath Youth for Christ AGM 2022 Save the date!! Come and find out more about the work of Bath Youth for Christ. This year’s AGM will be held on 9th November 2022 at Roundhill Hub. The evening will provide an opportunity to hear about how we have brought hope to young people’s lives over the past year and news of current and future developments.
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Prayer points for Bath August> • Pray that staff, families, and young people will have a good summer break and return refreshed. • Pray for good health and for the stop of the spread of Covid. • Thank God for our new Lead Schools Worker. • Thank God for our trustees. Please pray for the appointment of a new Treasurer. • Please pray for Y11 & 13 students receiving GCSE & A level results this month and for those advising them about future plans. • Pray for young people for whom school holidays are not necessarily a positive experience. • Thank God for Katie Little, all her hard work in developing our schools work programme over the last few years. Pray for her, Jo & Maisie as they start the next phase of their lives together in Australia.
September> • Please pray for the successful transition of our financial reporting to a new system. • Pray for the new Y7 children starting at secondary schools, that they will settle quickly and not be anxious. • Pray for all young people returning to school - settling into new routines, timetables, classrooms, teachers, and friendships. • Please pray for the relocation of the St Mark’s Sanctuary, that it will be a smooth transition and the new room will work well. • Pray for new volunteers for our projects, particularly the Youth Club in Peasedown. • Pray for the Timsbury Youth Club to be effective in building a sense of belonging and hope with young people
October> • Thank God for financial provision to enable us to continue to develop our work. Pray for new funding streams to become available for the future. • Please pray for the proposed mission trip to Mexico in summer 2023. Pray for the organisation and for those young people who join the trip. • Thank God for those running in the Bath Half on 16th. Pray for their health and stamina on the day. • Thank God for the opportunities to serve our community using the Roundhill Centre and pray for wisdom in how to develop this further. • Pray that the Pizza@St Pete’s Holiday Club in w/c 24th October to be a blessing to local families.
November> • Please pray for funding opportunities to allow us to work & support more young people and develop our work. • Please pray for breakthrough for those young people who face significant challenges. Ask God for wisdom to know how to help them. • Pray for continued growth in relationships and trust between youth club staff and volunteers, and young people. • Pray for St Mary’s School Timsbury: in the words of their school prayer “Thank you for our school and everyone within it. In the spirit of St Mary, teach us to show compassion and tell the truth. Give us courage and creativity to learn and grow. Help us to give service to our community”.