@SU Magazine | November 2023

@SU

suscotland.org.uk NOVEMBER 2023

r u o e v o l We teers n u l Vo

Who are SU Scotland?

Our vision is to see every child and young person in Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to the significance of Jesus.

We are a Christian charity with over 2,000 volunteers and 100 staff working in four contexts: schools, holidays, community-based missions, and training and equipping.

We work in partnership with churches, SU Scotland Associate Trusts and others to help children and young people across Scotland have an opportunity to explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus.

We offer safe places where they can have fun, meet new challenges, feel valued, accepted and free to express their views and consider their own beliefs as they engage with peers and Christian leaders. We aim to prioritise the needs of those from a disadvantaged background in all our activities.

SU Scotland, New Olympia House, 13 Olympia Street, Glasgow, G40 3TA 0141 332 1162 | info@suscotland.org.uk suscotland.org.uk facebook.com/suscotland twitter.com/suscotland youtube.com/suscotland

contents

4 C elebrating our volunteers Join us in celebrating the sterling commitment of SU Scotland's volunteers who give their time to lead, cook, drive and much more.

10 Magnitude Over 1,220 people were involved in Magnitude this summer. Jaz shares his personal account of growing in faith.

14 Holidays for refugees David Moodie shares about a week long family camp that took place at Alltnacriche especially for Ukrainian refugees.

18 Wee Celebration We’ve teamed up with GBBO's Kevin Flynn to create a fundraising pack with everything you need to host your own Wee Celebration.

instagram.com/suscotland

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10 Editor: Hilary Phillips | cygnus-extra.co.uk Design: innovivid.co.uk Print: Johnston Mailing © Scripture Union Scotland, 2023 Scottish Charity SC011222 ISSN 1357 - 7171

A large print edition is available on request.

20 Meet Stephen Bell Meet the new Chair of SU Scotland’s Board of Trustees.

We welcomed Stephen with a few quick questions.

Thank you, Jim! A big thank you to Jim Dewar, SU Scotland's retiring Chair of the Board of Trustees. We are grateful for his wisdom and service.

robin’s column

Every single one of us plays such an important part in our missional movement.

This year’s Big Celebration took place at Lendrick Muir at the end of August, an important moment in our annual calendar as we gather as the SU family in Scotland to worship God, give thanks for the past year’s ‘harvest’ and look forward in faith to the new academic year ahead.

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t’s always a privilege to meet the people who volunteer for SU Scotland.

Right now, there are officially over 2,000 volunteers, in addition to the 100+ staff and associate workers.

Every single one of us plays

such an important part in our missional movement.

In this edition of the magazine you’ll meet some of our volunteers who run SU Groups in schools or serve on team at SU holidays, missions, weekends and Magnitude Festival; people like David Moodie who helped on the special holiday for Ukrainian refugee families, led by Colin and Ruth Sinclair. Read all about their experience on page 15.

In an exciting partnership with SU volunteer, Kevin Flynn (of Great British Bake Off fame), we’ve just re-launched our Wee Celebration—a chance for family and friends to get together, share about SU Scotland, enjoy great home-baking and raise valuable funds. Scan the QR code on page 19 and away you go!

This is a season of transition in the leadership of SU Scotland. On the staff team, new and existing colleagues have taken on senior roles in the organisation and at Board level, Rev Jim Dewar recently retired as Chair with current trustee, Stephen Bell, now taking on this important role. Find out more about Stephen’s story on page 20.

Now that we’re in the midst of a busy term, my prayer for you, and us all, is that we know God’s peace and power as we take time regularly to meet him in his Word and prayer and go out to serve him together in the power of his Holy Spirit.

Thank you for being a vital part of this!  Robin MacLellan, CEO robin.maclellan@suscotland. org.uk | @robmaclellan suscotland.org.uk | 3

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suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

Cook School

Meet Eilidh and Becky, two of the many outstanding volunteers who cook for young people during SU Holidays. It's not easy, but with the help of the SU Scotland Cooks' Course, they have embraced the challenge.

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ummer 2022 was the first time I donned a Lendrick Muir apron and stepped into an SU Holiday kitchen. Even though I wouldn't consider myself a natural cook, I didn't think that following instructions or peeling and chopping were beyond my skill level.

Fortunately, they weren't!

Cooking for lots of people is a challenge. It can be high pressure or monotonous (when you're 5 kg deep into prepping 7 kg of vegetables!) But it's also an absolute joy to work closely in a tight-knit team, serving in a practical, hands-on way. We provide a comfortable space for the young people to enjoy good food and each other's company.

I came away enthused after camp last summer and wanted to know more. I was invited to take part in the SU Scotland Cooks' Course led by Janice and Fiona from the Volunteers Department.

We covered allergy awareness, menu planning, budgeting and other practicalities. It was a really valuable experience which galvanised me to volunteer more and have confidence to chief cook for a study holiday the following Easter.

I

started volunteering for SU Scotland over 10 years ago after helping out at an SU Holiday Club. In 2015, I unexpectedly found myself cooking at an SU Holiday. I wasn’t sure what to expect; I had never been an assistant cook before. Eight years on, I've now cooked at many camps.

I was invited to the Cooks' Course last year. It covered everything I needed to know to become a chief cook. I realised that I knew far more than I thought and met a lot of great people.

With help from my mentor, and a ton of support from the Volunteers Department, this summer I was chief cook for the first time at Alltnacriche.

Being in the kitchen is a really fulfilling way to serve God— doing what needs to be done to keep the hungry mouths fed on holiday, which in turn allows them to focus on the good news. After all, the psalmist writes that we should 'taste and see that the Lord is good'. 

I love being part of an organisation whose vision is to see children in Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to Jesus. 

Eilidh Candlish (above right)

Becky Read

Interested in cooking at an SU Scotland event?

Get in touch at suscotland.org/volunteer

suscotland.org.uk | 5

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

Creating a safe haven

This summer I joined a group of dedicated volunteers and spent a week with around 100 young people aged 9–15, running activities, exploring the Bible, and building relationships. It allowed me to make a positive impact on young lives and reaffirmed the importance of my choice to volunteer.

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learned of the event from friends who were already involved, and, given I had a pretty free summer, I thought it’d be a great use of time. Little did I realise the decision would open my eyes to how much we can impact these young minds.

During the holiday, I had a conversation with a camper who had returned for five consecutive years. When I 6 | suscotland.org.uk

asked what kept bringing him back, he said that the camp felt like a 'safe haven' from the pressures and constraints of home and school. Our presence as volunteers is crucial in creating this sanctuary.

What encourages me to volunteer is remembering that people did the same for me growing up. Possibly without knowing it, the selfless giving of their time, their guidance and support were instrumental in keeping me on the right path, especially during my formative, teenage years.

Volunteering has its challenges, like managing misbehaving campers.

However, my faith reminds me to respond with love and care, even when discipline is necessary. I remind myself to show the same love that Christ shows me.

I see volunteering as an opportunity to live out my

beliefs. Through volunteering, I’m able to encourage young Christians to hold onto their faith and share the good news of Jesus with those who may not know him yet.

I want campers to see that the Christian way of living is the best way. My hope is that our actions may plant seeds of curiosity in their hearts, and, even if they’re confused by the message we share, they'll reflect on our care for them and where the love comes from.

I'm not sure what will happen when I start work next year, but it’s my plan to keep volunteering, whatever form that takes.  Ver-se Abudar Ver-se lives in Glasgow and is currently pursuing his masters in Civil Engineering at Strathclyde University.

In his free time he enjoys LEGO, photography and a good game of Spikeball!

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

Creating

supportive communities I know not everyone would think of an SU Holiday in this way, but I would use the word 'restful' to describe my recent summer experiences.

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on’t get me wrong, a week of camp is fullon, with activities and fun with the young people plus a bit of late-night chat and laughter with the rest of the team. But my life is stressful and somehow volunteering takes me away from that stress. So, I would say that volunteering is a break from everyday life and therefore a great way to spend time in the summer.

This year I spent five weeks at different SU Scotland events, including two Motiv8 Holidays, a week volunteering at Magnitude and a week at Lendrick Muir. All the holidays have such a different feel and each is massively

encouraging. Taking part in such a variety reminds you how deep and wide God’s power is and of the many ways he’s working in different people's lives.

Since finishing school at the start of lockdown, I’ve been a student in Cambridge where I am studying Computer Science. Like most, I found the weeks and months of lockdown long, lonely and difficult. I’ve also found university to be a place where people can be antagonistic towards my Christian faith— it hasn’t been an easy journey. I’m aware of the diverse cultural perspectives across different groups of students, where people are often polarised around the topic of LGBTQ+.

Volunteering with SU Scotland has provided me with a positive sense of Christian community and friendships that are genuinely deep and meaningful. I think,

perhaps because of COVID, it has been really difficult for me to find a Christian group with genuine connection and fellowship. My experiences this summer have really helped with that.

Going back a few years, I helped to lead a small SU Group at a school that didn’t appear to welcome us. However, this summer two young people from the school were at Basecamp!

It was so encouraging to see the long-term fruit.

I’m not sure what my next steps will be. Mental health issues meant taking a year out which I’m returning from now, so I am looking for God’s direction in my life as I try and figure out the future.  Cameron Round Cameron plays rugby for Cambridge University and Cambridge City. He hopes to continue, perhaps professionally, after university. suscotland.org.uk | 7

SU ps Grou

'Volunteers are crucial.

It's as simple as that.'

SU Groups wouldn’t happen without the incredible volunteers who are willing to give their time each week to go into local schools, connect with pupils and share God’s love with them.

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y colleague Cheri and I work with schools and volunteers across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Shetland. This academic year, we kick-started the new term by bringing 48 volunteers together for an inspirational training day, with helpful input on engaging with young people with autism. Now mid-term, we’re excited to see many groups, old and new, in primary and secondary schools.

In fact, at the latest count we have 13 groups in 8 | suscotland.org.uk

secondary schools and 11 in primary schools with more starting soon.

One standout story is how the SU Group at Aberdeen Grammar launched the term with a stall at the school’s Fresher’s Fayre. The team ran a stall and quiz with a prize and giveaways. They even unexpectedly gave away several of the group’s Bibles to interested students.

The next week, 13 new young people attended the school's SU Group!

I’m also in awe of John and the team at Kaimhill Primary who manage to squeeze three SU Groups into the weekly lunchtime slot— currently 60 children take part each week. Different age groups each come for a short session, and there’s a waiting list to join.

Over the last year, I’ve been directly involved in leading a new SU Group in a high school in an area of

high deprivation and have established the group as a safe space in the school for pupils to come, connect, play some games, get to know us and hear about our faith.

We are working closely with a teacher at the school to meet the needs of different year groups and pray for a positive impact on the young people who come along.

The volunteers I support include pupils, former pupils, teachers, parents, church ministers, youth workers and others. I love spending time sharing about what we do with local churches and anyone who will stand still long enough to listen! It’s a privilege to work with so many passionate people who want to share their faith in schools.

Volunteers are crucial. It’s as simple as that.  Pamela Sloan Cheri Young and Pamela Sloan are Regional Workers for the North East & Shetland

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

The opportunity to volunteer with SU Scotland was God reaching out and bringing me back to him.

I’m Sophie Thomson and I’ve just started a Gap Year with SU Scotland. I’m based at Lendrick Muir and more than excited to get started!

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ven before I decided to do a Gap Year, I was involved with SU Scotland. My family are associated with SU, so it’s been difficult not to get roped into one thing or another, but I can say for sure I’m glad I did.

2021 was an extremely hard year with lockdowns disrupting my schooling and social life. I struggled with my mental health—it was quite a difficult period. I firmly believe that the opportunity to volunteer with SU Scotland was God reaching out and bringing me back to him.

My first event was cooking with my grandparents during Easter 2022 at Lendrick Muir.

It was an amazing experience and showed me how much these camps impacted me as a young person. It really brought my faith back to the centre of my life. It was also my first experience of being on the other side of SU Holidays and gave me real insight to the hard work and dedication behind the scenes.

In the summer of 2022, I got the chance to be a young leader at the Whiting Bay Beach Mission on Arran.

There is something so special about that mission. I really grew in faith and confidence during that week.

It was amazing to see kids as young as six or seven be so excited to learn about Jesus and the miracles he did. I believe that we can learn so much from children and the faith they seem to possess so easily, which I find so inspiring.

I volunteered the following year again at Whiting Bay where I was not just a year

older but had more mental strength and confidence in myself and what God could do through me. I helped lead games and a talk for the primary children which I never would have believed myself to be capable of in a million years!

Since volunteering with SU Scotland, I have changed completely. This time two years ago, if you were to have met me, I would have been unsociable, self-doubting, insecure and scared. I would have been pinned down by my own inner voice. But God changed my path by giving me the chance to volunteer with SU Scotland, something that completely flipped my life around.

I give all the glory to God for the work he has done through my volunteering with SU Scotland, and I am looking forward to seeing what else he can use me for throughout this exciting year ahead!  Sophie Thomson suscotland.org.uk | 9

magnitude

'I AM WHO I AM, BECAUSE THE I AM TELLS ME WHO I AM.' SU Scotland was overjoyed to see 1,220 people involved in Magnitude this summer. We celebrate with the 55 people who accepted Jesus for the first time and the countless others who took significant steps in their faith. There were 87 churches represented, with all glory going to God who did immeasurably more than we could have imagined.

The theme, 'I AM WHO I AM, BECAUSE THE I AM TELLS ME WHO I AM,' spoke powerfully into identity. It was fantastic to see so many young people grasp and adopt the evening teaching throughout the week. Here, Jaz shares some of the wider impact that Magnitude goes on to have in the lives of children and young people ...

10 | suscotland.org.uk

magnitude

Relationship, not religion 2022 was a year of complete change— my whole life was redirected in the best way possible. Growing up with a family of pastors, I knew of Jesus but thought he was just a Sunday morning thing. I was so wrong.

A

t Magnitude I was hoping not only to hear about Jesus but actually meet him—not only read about what he has done or will do but experience him for myself. That full week I was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Experiencing Jesus like that was amazing and what I had been longing for.

As I went back to school, a mate asked me what I did over summer. I said, ‘Yeah, I met with Jesus.’ She was shocked, a sentence she never expected. I explained how God was all about a relationship with Jesus, not religion, and she became really interested!

I shared Jesus everyday, prayed for people and spoke encouragement into anyone’s life who would let me. They were shocked at how I had changed and wanted to know

why. Boys who had been involved in minor to major issues kept coming to hear about Jesus! People who’d been on the streets were wanting to be part of the Kingdom. I told lads to put down ‘that bottle’ and pick up this Bible because they needed Jesus, not a Friday night that leaves a regretful Saturday morning. Jesus saved these people in school.

God used me to bring gang members to his Kingdom, lost people, people of other faiths.

People, once so far from Jesus, came to know him.

God did incredible things!

An emerging generation Leading a group of young people who I have watched grow in Spirit, faith, and stature over three years is one of the greatest privileges I have experienced.

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n the midst of this privilege exists the moments of connection, joy and friendship that are formed at summer festivals.

As a youth leader, I was proud to see my young people dive into worship— I mean that more literally than you might think—and build a community together.

I witnessed peer-to-peer discipleship as the older youth taught scripture, prayed for one another and led their friends to a place of worship.

Magnitude 2023 was a pure buzz! With great leadership and worship from the team, a space was created for God to work. As the event ended, for many the journey with Jesus had just begun. The magnitude of God's Kingdom is enough to save and touch any soul. 

It's powerful to see my young people meet with the Spirit in worship and to pray with them as they come to accept Jesus. But meeting with God in my own personal time and watching the emerging generation rise in worship will keep me coming back to Magnitude. 

Jaz Scott

Jem Crawley suscotland.org.uk | 11

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

S

U Scotland's volunteers contribute to hundreds of different events and activities taking place during term time and holidays. Applications for volunteer roles with children and young people are carefully managed by our Volunteers Team based in Glasgow. We’d love to hear what you could do!

PLAY GAMES?

COULD YOU...

Get groups of children and young people to engage and enjoy time together.

JOIN A TEAM, LARGE OR SMALL?

POP INTO SCHOOL?

Every event we run needs people in a wide range of roles—from teams of two for some Connect Groups to 150 for Magnitude.

Weekly SU Groups in primary and secondary schools need leaders and helpers.

COOK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND TEAMS? Holidays, Missions and residential centres all offer great food to hungry young people and teams.

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CHAT TO YOUNG PEOPLE? Sometimes you might talk about your faith, sometimes you might just chat!

WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS? Your experience and knowledge could enable us to offer great support, 1-2-1 or in a group.

LEAD A SMALL GROUP? So many different events need small group leaders.

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

PRAY? MAKE MUSIC? If you play an instrument or sing, and love worship, this could be you.

TRANSPORT YOUNG PEOPLE?

Use the daily Prayer Diary enclosed with your @SU, register to pray for your local school, or join the prayer hotline for news during events.

Drive a minibus or support as a travel leader to get young people from A to B… and back again.

RUN AN ACTIVITY?

DELIVER CRAFT SESSIONS?

Help young people have fun together indoors and out.

Get creative with children and young people.

PLAY DIGITAL GAMES? BECOME AN AMBASSADOR? Become an Ambassador in your church and help local people find out how they can get involved.

We’re piloting a new Gaming Group online to connect with young people (13+) who love to game.

PICK UP THE DIY AND GARDENING? There’s always maintenance going on at our centres and campsites.

JOIN AN ACTION GROUP? Support an area of SU Scotland's ministry, locally or nationally. 

...VOLUNTEER WITH US suscotland.org.uk | 13

tbc

12 | suscotland.org.uk

suscotland.org.uk/volunteer

A holiday for Ukrainian Refugees During the summer I was delighted to volunteer during a brand new event at Alltnacriche, a family holiday especially for Ukrainian refugees.

freedom to enjoy simple, everyday things.

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Families were invited to join a short Bible reflection led

by Colin, both morning and evening, and to our surprise and delight everyone took part. At the start we weren’t sure how we were going to manage the language differences in these together times, but very quickly several of the participants stepped into the role of translators.

olin and Ruth Sinclair (left photo, back left and centre) led the small team which had come together to support the families. Many of the children attended with their mums and grandparents— their dads often still in Ukraine, many in the army.

The holiday had all the features you’d expect at an SU event, but with plenty of flexibility and free time for families to access all of Alltnacriche's facilities.

A highlight for me was spending time in the games hall just kicking a ball around with some of the lads… then hearing one of the grandparents who had been spectating share how much it meant to her to see the children playing, with the

Here were people who really needed a holiday, and we were able to deliver that— a place of respite, spending time in Scotland’s beautiful countryside.

During the week we gradually got to know each other, building friendships and connections. Refugees can feel isolated, so one of the benefits of this event was for the participants living in different parts of Scotland to get to know one another.

Already connections made during the camp have helped one of the families to relocate in order to connect

with a community in their new town. Following the event, we know some of the families now attend services in their local churches.

Back in 2011, I was part of a team of young people, led

by Jackie Ringan, who went to Ukraine as part of the partnership with Open Bible.

At the time, I could not have anticipated the value of that short connection with the country in the work that I do.

In my day job, I work for Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees (sfar.org.uk), supporting faith groups of all kinds to connect with refugees. Often my work is one step removed, so this was a lovely opportunity to get to know people directly and hear about some of their challenges. The event was a successful partnership between SU Scotland and Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, and I hope there will be many more opportunities to work together.  David Moodie (left photo, back row, centre) suscotland.org.uk | 15

centre developments

Alltnacriche support the appeal New facilities, great activities, a strong team and a culture of inclusivity are all part of ensuring that as many young people as possible can benefit from what’s on offer at Alltnacriche.

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ight now, Alltnacriche’s development plan is being thoughtfully aligned to meet the current needs of schools and young people, particularly those living in poverty or managing additional support needs.

Just one example is a primary school from an area of multiple deprivation in Highland region.

Over several years, a strong relationship has developed between the school and the centre, enabling pupils in P7 to attend a residential event at the centre.

Funding the places is a joint effort between the school and SU Scotland, with a combination of local fundraising and SU Scotland’s 16 | suscotland.org.uk

Schools Bursary Fund. The school commented, 'The bursary fund made the difference to whether the majority of the class could attend the residential. Most of our children live with a wide range of deprivations.

Without the fund, only one or two pupils would be able to fund this trip, so as a school we aim to fully fund it for all pupils.'

The impact the event has for young people is widely recognised. A teacher commented, 'Thank you, once again, for providing our P7s with a wonderful three days.

The value that our children get from this experience is second to none. Many of our pupils haven’t stayed away before, and almost

Dave Moss, Centre Manager at Alltnacriche says, 'We are committed to reducing the costs of running the centre and passing on the savings, to make visits to Alltnacriche accessible to as many as possible. We are also working hard to break down other barriers, for example, making our centre and our activities accessible for young people with disabilities.'

SU Scotland’s centres at Lendrick Muir, Gowanbank and Alltnacriche are each committed to developing in this way. The Alltnacriche Development Appeal, which launched in August, will enable the centre to work on reducing energy costs, extend indoor space, improve disabled access and build new winter activities. 

none have taken part in any of the experiences that you have offered them.

The staff commented on the great teamwork and engagement from the pupils which we know will benefit them throughout their P7 year. Staff also commented on the patience, understanding and support from the Alltnacriche staff.'

Support our Alltnacriche Development Appeal suscotland.org.uk/appeal

gap year

t u o s p r l a e e Gap Y h ar y in Hung

The Gap Year trip to Hungary was an incredible opportunity. We were privileged to work alongside the amazing team from SU Hungary at their English speaking camps.

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e had to rely heavily on God during the trip, walking by faith and not by sight, and it was clear that he was in every aspect of what was going on.

The camps we were helping with were very different from SU Scotland Holidays but had the same goal—sharing

the gospel of Jesus with children and young people.

The programme consisted of Bible teaching in English (translated into Hungarian), English teaching with the children, small group discussions in Hungarian, games, team challenges, drama and more. Some days we took the campers off site for the afternoon—35 kids on a public bus is a stressful experience!

The Hungarian team involved us in most aspects of leading the camp. We had games to run, talks to give, memory verses to teach, and we interacted with the kids for the whole day—a unique experience given our lack of Hungarian!

Whilst it was an absolute blast helping with the camp, we had our struggles, and had to trust that everything was in God's hands. We struggled with the very un-Scottish heat, and the English lessons became stressful too—our response was simply to pray. Thankfully, prayer works! With praise to God, we were able to run a fantastic camp for the children.

At the end of the week, one boy made gifts for the leaders— little stones with the word 'Jesus' on them, surrounded by hearts. It was amazing to see that God had touched his heart, and we trust the same was experienced by others.  Finlay Murphy, Gap Year 2022–23

suscotland.org.uk | 17

tbc

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fundraising resources

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The Wee Celebration is back and bigger than ever! We’ve teamed up with Kevin Flynn from The Great British Bake Off to create a pack that provides everything you need to host your 0 SEPT9 own Wee Celebration (including six exclusive baking recipes!). ns

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This could be a cake decorating new SU and teafor or bake sale, or any other Hol thos activities most importantly, contest, the most creative bake or iday e livin If you need format you can think of!g in disadvantag who can make the tastiest version allowing them ed area learn about our amazing God extra s, help, of one of Kevin’s recipes! We have to onran SUhop holiday: the or just have a special prize pack including a and joy of kno discove e a wing Jesus. question, limited-edition Wee Celebration

PROMOTE YO UR EVENT

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We have put together everything you could need to make your Wee • £10with Celebration a success, 0 additional digital resources available online at could provide suscotland.org.uk/weecelebration train

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£600 could enable us to

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HAVE A CUP O F TEA D O NSEPT ’ T GO IT ALO N E Whatever shape your event (O N US!) AS YO U HOW is taking, whether at home, EXPLO RE YO UR PACK YOU R WEE CEL EBR in church ATI or elsewhere, invite

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for young people leading SU Groups in their school.

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£100 could provide training

H ER E IS A STEP- BY-STEP G UID E TO H EL P MAK E YO UR VERY OWN WEE CEL EBR ATIO N A SUCCESS. . .

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Your event could transform the lives of young people like this young person who attended the Magnitude festival: ‘I didn’t believe in Jesus. I had my happy moments here and there, but I was overall alone and somewhat unhappy…Within five days, Magnitude changed my life for the better. donations I encountered God and his love and felt genuine happiness which I had been seeking for so very long. I am so happy…Thank you.’ 

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ou can host a fun fundraiser at your home, church, school (or anywhere don a ns else!) to celebratetiothe many ways God has been at work through SU Scotland and to raise vital funds to help children and young people across Scotland explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus. Now that's cause to celebrate!

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Using the poster or invitation templates available at suscotland.org.uk/weecelebration insert the date, time and place to advertise your Wee Celebration; edit the downloadable PowerPoint slide to promote your event in church and don’t forget to share it on social media too!

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‘It was the best week of my life, I felt so close to God…things changed in my life’.

*Name changed to protect identity

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check apron for your winner and a little the FAQ on donations suscotland.org something for your runner up!

You can order these at .uk/w eece lebration or email us at suscotland.org.uk/weecelebration weecelebratio and all proceeds go towards the n@s usco tland work of SU Scotland. and we’ll do .org.uk our best to ! together a special We have help also put baking-themed quiz (suitable for non-bakers too!) that your guests can do whilst at your Wee Celebration. There is a quiz sheet included in your pack, which is also available to download, along with some bonus picture rounds and a PowerPoint version of the quiz.

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ORDER YOUR FREE PACK TODAY! SUSCOTLAND.ORG.UK/ WEECELEBRATION

£1000 could help us to develop a new SU Holiday for those living in marginalised communities allowing them to discover the hope and joy of knowing Jesus. suscotland.org.uk | 19

t e e M n e ph Ste Bell

20 | suscotland.org.uk

Stephen has recently taken on the role of Board Chair, following Rev Jim Dewar's retirement. We asked him a few quick questions ...

our new chair

Q: Where did your connection with SU Scotland start?

children’s missions in Glasgow (mainly Maryhill).

As mentioned at the Big Celebration recently, my dad really did force me to go to a watersports camp as a 15-year-old to help out with the sailing boats! It wasn’t really my choice at the time, but I guess he knew what he was doing. At high school in Milngavie, I was invited along to the pupil-led SU Group but didn’t feel comfortable attending until further up in school, at which point I got involved in leading.

Once I married Sally and we had children, I stepped back from SU for a few years and it was only more recently that I got involved with the finance committee and subsequently the Board. I’ve also been involved in The Linlithgow Young People’s Project for the last 30 years, mainly as Chair of their Board. There’s lots of relevant experience to bring to SU Scotland from there.

Q: So what changed?

I love being out on the water, so the watersports camp at Kinlochard was a natural home for me. Later on, as a volunteer, I focused on getting my windsurfing instructor qualification so I could contribute to the watersports holiday at Lendrick Muir for a number of years with Niall and Reenie Sherriffs.

Of course it wasn’t just that.

I grew up in Findlay Church in Glasgow and became a Christian when quite young.

Although these formative years have been influential, I've always been involved in youth work, including

Q: What should SU Scotland focus on at the moment?

At the moment it’s time for listening, conversations, seeking God and beginning to think ahead. I’m looking forward to working with Robin, the Leadership Team and the Board as we think about the vision and the strategy.

I would say however, that Ministry at the Margins has already been identified as a priority and I strongly support that. As an organisation, we have a lot of work to do. It’s only a small minority of our activities that connect with young people who experience poverty or live in communities that face different kinds of challenges.

Q: What are some specific skills that you bring to the role of Chair?

My work is mainly in the area of strategy, property and finance, so I am able to support SU Scotland in thinking and planning around their finances and their strategic decision making.

A lot of what happens in a Board setting is really routine and not at all glamorous, but it is really important and necessary. I’m happy to offer that as my service to God. Administration gets a mention in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as a spiritual gift. I definitely see it as a way I can give something back and look forward to serving SU Scotland as the Chair over the next three years.

Q: What do you do with your time off?

I still love to be out on the water and enjoy sailing, windsurfing and other outdoor activities, although I was recently rescued by a lifeboat off the Isle of Skye! Sally and I live in Linlithgow and worship at St Paul's and St George's Church in Edinburgh after spending many years at St John’s in Linlithgow.  suscotland.org.uk | 21

t e G olved v n i

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friend recently gave me a copy of an SU Scotland volunteer recruitment leaflet from the late 1980’s. Much has changed since then, not least the haircuts, but much remains the same. The leaflet describes the main requirement of a volunteer as one who is ‘committed to Christ and who cares about young people.’

As true today as then. I hope as you read the stories of volunteers in this issue of @SU you will hear something of their love of Christ and their heart for young people.

22 | suscotland.org.uk

One heading reads, 'For a lazy holiday, please look

somewhere else.’ Said in humour, but it is true that SU Scotland volunteers make a hugely appreciated sacrifice of time, talent and effort. You might read something of the rewards

reading these stories, which highlight only a few of the roles and opportunities available, prompts you to find out more, our Volunteers team would love to hear from you.  Janice Aitken Volunteers Manager

from that sacrifice in these volunteer stories. There are certainly huge rewards in the lives of the young people whom we serve.

Over 2,000 volunteers partner with SU Scotland and there is a place for many more. If

Find out more about the many opportunities to volunteer with SU Scotland online. suscotland.org.uk/ volunteer

what's on

What’s on ?

GET THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENT DETAILS ONLINE:

suscotland.org.uk/ events

COOKS' COURSE

SPOTLIGHT EAST (S1–S2)

16–18 February 2024 Gowanbank

24 Nov 2023 26 Jan 2024 1 Mar 2024 7:00–8:45pm Cornerstone Free Church Edinburgh

This training is open to new chief cooks or assistant cooks who are considering making the leap to leadership. Interested? Contact the Volunteers Department.

EQUIP EAST (S3–S6)

volunteers@suscotland.org.uk

24 Nov 2023 26 Jan 2024 1 Mar 2024

COMMISSION 2024

7:00–8:45pm Elim Church, Edinburgh EQUIP WEST (S1–S6)

- Edinburgh - Glasgow - Dunblane - Inverness - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Ayrshire - Perth - Edinburgh - Glasgow

16–18 February 2024 Gowanbank 10–16 June 2024 Basecamp Kingscross

24 Nov 2023 26 Jan 2024 23 Feb 2024

21–28 June 2024 LeadUP Alltnacriche

7:00–9:00pm The Tron, Glasgow

suscotland.org.uk/commission

Enjoy time with your friends, sharing what's going on at school and spend time thinking through the Christian faith in the face of the big questions of today. With challenges, games and music.

WORSHIP NIGHTS

Nov 10 Nov 11 Dec 10 Jan 13 Feb 02 Feb 03 Feb 18 Mar 24 Apr 19 Apr 20

SPOTLIGHT & EQUIP!

suholidays.org.uk/events

WE'VE MOVED! SU Scotland New Olympia House 13 Olympia Street Glasgow, G40 3TA

suscotland.org.uk/equip

SU SCOTLAND DAY OF PRAYER 18 January 2024

MAGNITUDE.ORG.UK/WORSHIP FOR MORE DETAILS

Dedicated day of prayer for SU Scotland. Check our events page nearer the time to find out what Prayer Gatherings are happening near you. suscotland.org.uk/events suscotland.org.uk/dop

PLEASE DONATE WELLIES, SHOES, FOOTBALL BOOTS AND SHIN PADS! Can you help? SU Scotland needs wellies and shoes for Gowanbank, and football shoes and shin pads for football camp.

Drop off: Gowanbank Darvel, Ayrshire, KA17 0LL

SU GLOBAL WEEK OF PRAYER: 6–10 NOVEMBER 2023 Join us to pray for other SU movements around the world. This year's theme is 'Let My People Go', based on Exodus 3, as we pray together to know God's heart and will in these days.

Tuesday 7 Nov at 8am | Wednesday 8 Nov at 1pm | Thursday 9 Nov at 7.30pm

REGISTER: suscotland.org.uk/events suscotland.org.uk | 23