Church Youth Groups

Our youth groups, The Den and Summit have been enjoying the summer term and are progressing well.

On the 17th May we had a special session for both The Den and Summit, exploring music and worship thanks to the Rocksteady Music School and the 3 Counties Youth Band. The music school helped both groups explore different instruments and learn to play as a band. Then the 3 Counties Youth Band played the worship songs ‘10,000 Reasons’, ‘This is Amazing Grace’ and ‘Reckless Love’. Everyone was encouraged to join in with the songs, following the words on the screen; this was very moving. Many thanks to St Stephen’s for all their help and for letting us use their church and equipment.

With the stress of school exams, we next decided to have a Den session on ‘Success in God’s Eyes’ and focused on this topic during our discussion time. The kids decorated and took home a prayer journal. During this session we had a visit from Margaret Barlow from Imbhams Farm, who is an Ambassador for the Hunter Centre. She wanted to thank the children in person for the money they had helped raise for the Centre during the Coronation Parade.

The first week in June was the perfect weather for our community project, which was a litter pick at Haslemere Recreation ground, with a fun cricket game at the end. On another occasion The Den and their families visited the Haslemere Bowls Club. It was amazing how quickly they all picked it up with some fantastic coaching from the club, aided by Rev. Justin and Robert Fox. We hope to do more things like this to help strengthen the relationship between the local community and the Parish.

The kids were off on their adventures again at the end of June with the first of our two water-themed activities, learning how to sail at Frensham Sailing Club. We try to support every aspect of the children’s health: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, and environmentally and they were all glowing after the sailing! Then at the beginning of July, we were kindly invited to Claire & Peter Gratton’s house, where they listened to and discussed the bible story ‘Jesus Walks on Water’. They then had fun acting it out, moving from an inflatable boat, along a moving plank covered in blue cloth (representing the water), towards one of them dressed as Jesus. They had to keep their eyes on ‘Jesus’ as they crossed ‘the water’ so as not to fall. They also had fun with Sue Davis making paper boats and blowing them across the pool. Lastly, they had a wonderful time in the swimming pool and getting the volunteers and leaders thoroughly wet as well!

As we write this article, we are planning our end of term party at St Christopher’s, with pizza kindly sponsored by Pizza Express Haslemere and, weather-permitting, lots of water games and fun outside. It should be a great end to a wonderful term!

Meanwhile a lot has been happening for the members of Summit.

On the 10th May the group managed to do their dry ski ‘donutting’ session that had been cancelled the month before and this helped them to bond as a group and build their confidence. Then in June, they gathered at St Christopher’s Church and discussed what happens when you pray. With the support of Jane Slevin and Rev. Justin the young people helped write intercession prayers and then they explored some creative prayer stations that were set up around the Den room. Phoebe & Yasmin Ingram went on to read these intercession prayers at the 10am Service the following Sunday which was Father’s Day.

For the final session of the term Summit headed to Loxwood for their community project. The focus was river water testing with Chris Ball from the ‘Water Rangers’ organisation and then open canoeing with Ben Webb from Surrey Hills and Rivers. Using a professional kit, they managed to test different aspects of the water quality, which included measuring nitrates, phosphates, pH levels, heavy metals, chemicals such as chlorine and other substances. The results of these tests were recorded and added to the area’s database to ensure our waterways do not become over-polluted and threaten this precious eco-system. It has been found that when people test the water, they end up feeling more connected to it and want to protect it as a result.

Our two ‘Young Leaders’ for the Diocese and Summit members, Yasmin & Phoebe Ingram attended their third young leaders gathering recently and were part of a select few who took part in the Bishop of Dorking interviews.

Lastly, a quick mention that the wildflowers and trees that the Den planted on Derby Road (and in the wildflower area in the graveyard at St. Bartholomew’s) have flourished and are already a haven for bees and other insects. They also look beautiful! A special thanks to Peter Clarke, Claire & Gareth Matthes, Phillip Hunt, Andrew Silke and Lara Butler for all their extra effort with this project and their ongoing care of these areas

Once again, a massive thank you to all the volunteers and people who support The Den and Summit and to the wider congregation who often step in and get involved. Without you all the groups wouldn’t be the success they are.

Sue & Verity

Photos by Shunah and Verity

For more details of The Den and Summit contact:

Verity Sutherland, Children & Families Worker (Older Children)

Email: Children@haslemereparish.org