HELLO!
This part of the academic year always feels busy! As we move toward the summer season, schools begin visiting the campsite, exams are in full swing, and young people are making important decisions about their futures. We are here to support, guide, and encourage them in their next steps. Prayer is at the heart of everything we do at CYM, and we are so grateful that you join us in this. Thank you for investing in our work through prayer.
Lucy is featured in this edition. Although she has worked with us for many years, she plays a unique role in caring for our Chaplains, discerning God’s will for this ministry, and spending time at Ridley Hall Theological College. Take a moment to read about her work, and perhaps send her an encouragement during this season.
We continue to offer ‘The Gathering’ events for young people, and you’ll find dates for this year and next further on. We’re also thrilled to re-launch the CYM Gap Year, ‘Become.’ This is a fantastic opportunity to serve, learn, and grow, and we’d love to connect with anyone interested in joining our team. Please share this widely for us.
As we approach Easter, I pray that this season will be meaningful for you in your personal relationship with God.
Thank you for your continued support!
SIMON SCOTT CEO
Simon@c-y-m.org.uk
WEEK 1 - SIMON
At this point of the year, I am carrying out termly reviews with staff – please pray for positive and affirming conversations.
Please thank God today for our Trustees. We’re grateful for their investment in our work, as volunteers, within their busy lives.
WEEK 2 - BETH
We thank God for each young person that attends sessions in the Nacton and Gainsborough community. Please pray for those who live near the project but do not currently attend.
We thank God for the launch of a new prayer room at Ipswich Academy. May this space open new opportunities in the school.
WEEK 3 - LUCY
Pray for our School Chaplains as they support students preparing for their exams later this term. May they be bringers of hope and peace to the students they work with.
Our Chaplains recently gave ‘staff blessings’ to everyone working in their schools. Please pray these would bring hope and encouragement, as well as starting some great conversations.
WEEK 4 - TOM
Let’s take time to pray for students and their exams. We pray that they will remain calm and relaxed and do the best that they can do.
I’m currently in contact with Chaplaincy schools ahead of the next academic year. Please pray for positive conversations about our future work.
RIDLEY HALL STUDY WEEK, THE GATHERING (FRI), ACTIVITY SESSION – COLCHESTER BAPTIST CHURCH (SAT) ACTIVITY TEAM TRAINING DAY (FRI).
Please pray for the Youth Alpha that has been happening in the local community. We pray for young people to choose to follow Jesus and be transformed.
As we approach the Easter holidays, please pray for all school staff – may they experience rest and relaxation before the new term.
We have another ’Gathering’ youth event this evening. Please pray for all the young people attending; that they will draw closer to God as they worship and pray together.
Please pray for the students who don’t have exams but instead have assignments to submit.
I’m so grateful for our School Chaplains! They are faith-filled, compassionate and dedicated. Ask God to encourage them, may they know they are seen, valued and making a difference.
We pray for the different gardening sessions that are happening at Ipswich Academy. Please pray for the development of students and for positive conversations.
We pray for the Christian staff at our school - that they would be able to meet more and that there would be opportunities with other staff to share their faith.
Today, praise God for the incredible conversations about him that many students are continuing to seek out our Chaplains for! We pray for more opportunities to talk about faith.
Please pray that our Chaplains will find moments to be still, pray, and listen. We ask the Holy Spirit to meet them in the midst of the busyness of school.
Let’s thank God for the work all the Chaplains do within CYM in different schools and colleges. Ask God to keep us safe and strong for the end of the school year.
Let’s take time to pray for the staff across both Abbeygate and West Suffolk College. Pray for strength to finish the school year positively.
Please pray for me as I keep listening to what God wants me to achieve, in supporting staff and students in the best way, honouring God as I do that.
KINTSUGI HOPE YOUTH
WEEK 1 - MAX
Please pray today for my Ridley Hall course studies. I’m learning lots of new things and have lots of deadlines!
I’m learning lots about myself as I study, as well as learning lots about God. Please pray that I will keep a clear mind in all my work.
WEEK 2 - HENRY
We are constantly striving to improve the way that we operate. I am so thankful for God’s provision of two extra storage containers to help organise our equipment stores.
There is so much need across schools for Chaplaincy. Pray for divine appointments for our Chaplains, that they would continue to meet the needs of the students they work with.
WEEK 3 - AIMEE
Pray for students at St. Matthew’s today as Year 6 prepare for SATs and transition activities and secondary school.
WEEK 4 - JO
Pray today for students taking A levels in their final year. Pray that God will help those with anxiety and for wisdom for next steps.
Give thanks for the staff at St. Matthew’s, and pray that they feel supported and blessed during the summer term.
Let’s pray today for all the Basecamp weeks – we want the children to have lots of fun, as well as seeing Jesus in us.
Please pray that I will use my time with CYM well, to gain new knowledge, and to learn from all the team I get to work with.
Please pray for my fellow students at Ridley to gain confidence in the things they want to achieve in order to proclaim God’s message.
Pray for staff that God would equip them in every way with the wisdom, strength, patience and encouragement they need.
WEEK 4 - URSHIE
Please pray for the Basecamp team during our busy season, for good relationships and empathy for those around us.
Prayers of thanks for the many volunteers who make our work possible and prayers that others will feel led to volunteer & join in the fun of Basecamp!
As you may know, we are operating at a financial deficit. Please pray for wisdom as I work closely with Simon to implement a strategy to help address this deficit.
The ‘Basecamp’ season is kicking off! Pray with me for the students and staff that will be spending their time here at the farm; may they see Gods love through us.
Our son, Peter, turns one soon! Please lift Julia and I in prayer as we navigate parenthood and do our best to show Jesus to him in all that we say and do.
Please pray for me as I continue to support students 1-1. May I have the wisdom to guide and support them.
Thank God for those students who attended Christian Union, that they will continue to grow deeper in Him and into all the plans God has for them.
Pray for staff relationships to remain strong and for a positive atmosphere to spread around the school.
Give thanks for all that God is doing within me, and CYM, to help show others a glimpse of the Kingdom.
As the schools enjoy their stay here in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, please pray for safety during the activities.
Pray for me that as I provide 1:1 support for staff and students, God would give me wisdom with the right words to say.
Please pray for my work that I will be strengthened and encouraged, remaining present for those around me, bringing his love, joy and peace into every situation.
Please pray for Josh as he carries so much of what happens at the campsite; for Godly wisdom in his decisions.
Please pray for my work for CYM, for understanding, accuracy, and patience as I try to do my best.
BASECAMP – HOME ED. (12TH – 13TH), BENHALL (14TH – 15TH)
BASECAMP – NORTON (7TH- 8TH)
HALF TERM
WEEK 1 - ABI/BECKIE
Please pray for all the students within the Raedwald Trust as they finish their exams and prepare to leave. We ask God for his protection, guidance and peace for them.
As we welcome more students into the trust, we pray for a smooth transition into their new settings, and we ask God to settle any nerves or anxiety.
WEEK 2 - PHILIP
I thank God for leading me to East Bergholt High School and guiding me within the challenges it faces. Let’s pray that the seeds planted in over 100 conversations with pupils in my brief time here will help guide them on their future paths.
WEEK 3 - ANT
As I collaborate with God to invest in the school, let’s focus prayers on the Fruit of the Spirit. Pray that my service and care will flow from, and out of, His LOVE for me.
Pray that the JOY of the Lord will be my strength! That it will encourage me and I, in turn, will be a source of holy encouragement to others.
WEEK 4 - JOSH
Let’s start this week by praising God for the ‘Basecamp’ weeks we have experienced so far this summer. We thank God for his blessings and faithfulness.
I thank God for all of the volunteers that have served this year already. Please pray for them today.
We ask God to use us both for his purpose and glory, let us be His mouthpiece, and let others see a glimpse of Him through us.
We lift all the staff to God as we near the end of term, we ask God to provide a boost of energy to all that are feeling tired. Please join us in thanking God for Angela (CEO) and her leadership team, who do an amazing job in providing the best possible care to all students and staff.
Please pray for me to increase my understanding of the local school and community and for wisdom to better discern their needs.
Please pray that I’ll find the right words, in the right moments, when supporting students and staff.
Please pray for the staff at East Bergholt, especially those in the student support area who are currently overwhelmed. May God provide them with strength, wisdom and patience.
I would like there to be an increased sense of PEACE in the lives of young people and families on our estate. Pray particularly for peace for our Year 11 leavers.
Pray that the Lord will fill me with PATIENCE as I wait on Him to bring restoration and wholeness into the unresolved situations of those I walk with in Chantry.
Thank God for His KINDNESS & GOODNESS to CYM. Pray as I consider how I can show these to each one of our team that blesses them in unique and creative ways.
Pray to God that the seeds that have been sown over the last few weeks are watered by the local churches and by fellow Christians in the coming days.
I thank God for the opportunities during the summer where I can rest and spend valuable time with Beth.
I finish the week by asking God to bless those young people and families that have visited us this year with our monthly home education days.
‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” ’
John 15:4-5 (NIV)
BASECAMP – ST. PETER’S (9TH – 13TH)
BASECAMP – ST. JOHN’S (30TH – 2ND)
GETTING TO KNOW OUR TEAM
SAY HELLO to Lucy
I’ve been around CYM for quite a while now. As a teenager I came to ‘the Platform’ and November Sizewell weekends, before a Gap Year with CYM in 2008. Fast forward 20 years and I’m still here! After university I worked at CYM’s residential ‘African Adventure’ for a few years, before eventually moving into my current role as Director of School Chaplaincy.
My role is focused on growing and improving our School Chaplaincy. This includes professional and ministerial development of our Chaplains as well as finding ways to strengthen and improve the service we provide. I enjoy being able to offer encouragement, a
listening ear and a sounding board for their ideas and challenges. I also offer practical support through training, resources and facilitating collaborative projects such as our termly staff blessings.
I’m also really passionate about our culture. As a team we’ve worked hard to develop and embed our vision, mission and values. I see daily the impact this has on both what we do and who we are as an organisation. I’m proud of where we’ve got to, and sustaining this culture is one of my top priorities.
Over the past few years, I’ve worked with Ridley Hall theological college to develop School Chaplaincy training. This has included a short course, delivered online, as well as adding a School Chaplaincy stream into their BA in Theology, Mission and Ministry degree. I’ve always had an interest in training and development, so working with Ridley has been an amazing opportunity.
I’ve been married to my husband Joshua for almost 10 years, and we live near Framlingham with our 8 and 5-year-old children. We’re part of Proclaimers Church and love the passionate and supportive community we have there.
A prayer and worship evening for young people (years 7–13) across Ipswich and beyond.
2025 DATES: April 4th. September 26th. 2026 DATES: January 30th. April 24th. September 25th. BOOK YOUR PLACE
(Venues TBC and will be listed on CYM website)
Send us a WhatsApp for more information.
GAP YEAR
CYM’s Become gap year presents a year brimming with EXPERIENCES and OPPORTUNITIES.
We seek to journey alongside you, nurturing a solid foundation as you soar into the future.
GIVING ONLINE
Your giving, small or large, makes a significant contribution to the work of CYM in Suffolk. Would you consider a one-off or regular gift? There are many ways to do this. The simplest is to set up a Standing Order from your own bank and you can do that with the bank details below. Alternatively, scan the QR code for other options.
BANK DETAILS
Bank of Scotland
Christian Youth Ministries
Sort Code: 12-16-39
Account: 00168040
Scan the QR code below
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If you would prefer to send a standing order form to us in the post, you can tear this slip off and return it to:
Simon Scott, CYM, Vauxhall Christian Trust Campsite, Great Wenham, CO7 6QQ.
Please pay Christian Youth Ministries £ and debit my account number Bank sort Code Starting on: My Bank: Signature:
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GIVING BY POST GIFT AID
Your regular gift BANKERS ORDER: Bank of Scotland plc, 35 Princess St, Ipswich IP1 1AE (12-16-39 a/c 00168040) Gift Aid Declaration CHRISTIAN YOUTH MINISTRIES, Vauxhall Christian Trust Campsite, Great Wenham, CO7 6QQ.
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