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LOOKING BACK LOOKING AHEAD

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 120 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 focus on the needs of those from priority areas in all our activities.

WHAT IS NERDCON?

Phil Taylor reveals the story of what happened at Gowanbank one week during summer.

CO m MISSION

Zach Coffee shares his insights from a summer of Basecamp and volunteering. at an SU Holiday.

OUR NEW STRATEGY

Find out what’s the same and what’s new with SU Scotland’s strategy overview for 2024–2027.

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 instagram.com/suscotland

Editor: Hilary Phillips | cygnus-extra.co.uk

Design: innovivid.co.uk

Print: Johnston Mailing

A large print edition is available on request.

14 REDRAWING THE MARGINS

Tim Raynes shares how Ministry at the Margins is influencing across SU Scotland’s work.

EXPLORE CHRISTMAS

Read about great new resources available for schools as the season approaches.

MISSION TO HUNGARY

Elizabeth McDowell tells the story about a mission trip to Hungary with the SU Scotland Gap Year team.

COMMIT EVERYTHING YOU DO TO THE LORD. TRUST HIM, AND HE WILL HELP YOU. PSALM 37:5

'Never

doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.'

That

great quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead says so much about the importance of people being willing to work together to make a difference, and it’s something that we see every day at SU Scotland.

This edition is full of stories of people making an effort, making a difference, running events and contributing their valuable time across SU Scotland's ministries.

Of course, we believe it’s more than that and look continually to God, depending on his guidance to help us work together, sharing the light and love of the Christian faith with children and young people in Scotland and beyond.

This edition of the magazine looks back to summer and the many wonderful events—

the Magnitude Festival, SU Holidays, Basecamp, Missions and so much more.

It’s also a moment for looking forward. We are launching a new strategy, which I believe represents evolution, not revolution. We have strong forward momentum as an organisation, have seen amazing regrowth following Covid, and we have a sense of God leading us to continue with much of what we have been developing—some of it for years, some of it for decades! Read more about the new strategy on page 10.

Ministry at the Margins has been such an important theme for us over the last couple of years. It’s a reflection of the needs around us, and we will continue to prioritise our work in communities where people are facing poverty and exclusion. Tim Raynes shares his thoughts on page 14.

The story of SU Scotland is our story. It’s the story of

children, young people, volunteers and our staff team. It’s the story of people who pray, people who give and people who spend time together, sharing their own experience of God with others. Thank you for being part of the story.

As we head into winter, please read about the exciting new resources that we’d like to get into every school in Scotland. That’s definitely a vision that needs everyone to help, so take a look at Explore Christmas on page 16, and have a think about who you can share this incredible resource with.

quote_open_roundel Robin MacLellan CEO, SU Scotland

robin.maclellan@ suscotland.org.uk

social media: @robmaclellan

NERDCON… THE NEWEST EVENT ON THE HOLIDAYS BLOCK

NerdCon at Gowanbank certainly wasn’t the only new thing to happen this summer, but it’s one where we wanted to delve in and find out what it was all about. Phil Taylor explains.

This was the holiday to be at if you are into tabletop games—everything from role-play games to chess was on the agenda, with strong story themes from the world of sci-fi and fantasy.

This event was the best camp experience I’ve ever had. There was such a strong sense of connection among the young people because of the shared interest in nerd culture. It was so easy for people to connect with one another through shared jokes, shared memes and a shared love for role-play games.

Big themes from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings were definitely to the fore in terms of our fun activities. They provided a great launch point for exploring the Bible and talking about faith too.

We had a game that ran through the week called Citadel. It was an amalgam of several other board games but unique to our event, and it really caught the young people’s imaginations.

This event was definitely appealing to a different audience than a typical multi-activity holiday which appeals to those who want to be active.

By creating a niche event, we were extending the reach of SU Scotland and helping to meet that ambitious vision of connecting with every child and young person in Scotland with the message of faith.

I hope that the young people I work with at the Ferrywell Youth Project will be part of the event next time around, and some of the activities will definitely be included on our programme.

There were many memorable moments including an awesome lightsabre battle

that we staged in Strathaven Park. I suspect some casual park visitors were surprised by the Star Wars-themed game taking place in their usually tranquil surroundings, but no one seemed to mind.

As this was a first event, there was plenty of trial and error. We listened to the young people, offered lots of choice and flexibility, had plenty of variety, and continually adapted the programme to suit their interests.

As well as appealing to particular young people, the same can be said of the leaders—the relaxed vibe really suited some who would not have thrived in a louder setting.

For some young people, it will have been the first time they explored the Christian faith. It was a brilliant place to discuss faith and its relevance to us all.

quote_open_roundel Phil Taylor Project Worker, Ferrywell Youth Project, Edinburgh

COmMISSION Servant-hearted leading

Being a leader at an SU Holiday this summer wasn’t just an opportunity to do something useful for others. It also turned out to be an important way to understand more about myself.

My summer included a week of training and preparation at Basecamp on Arran back in June, before serving as part of a big team of volunteers at Lendrick Muir during week five of the school holidays. The experience of being together at Basecamp with other people who all share the same worldview felt really important. It’s so good to know that you are not alone.

The practical training for young leaders is about servant-hearted leadership and putting other people’s needs before your own. I guess that gave me a different view of leadership, rather than thinking of it as a way of influencing what you want to happen.

For the Bible teaching we were looking through Acts and

'Leadership was different from what I had expected—more about caring, helping and putting others first than I had realised before.'

thinking about people such as Stephen, Paul, and Barnabas— how they were acting by faith, doing what God wanted them to do, even when it was tough.

The group I was helping with at camp were primary aged. As a Trainee Leader, I got to know the young people really well, coming alongside them to support and care for them during the week. I really enjoyed my role and am looking forward to being able to volunteer again next year.

Being with a large group of Trainee Leaders at the event meant that I felt well looked after. We all had mentors who were there to help us through the week. There was a lot of comfort in that and being part of a large group of trainees was definitely a highlight for me.

The final piece of the jigsaw was the Review Weekend at Lendrick Muir at the end of the summer, when trainees from all of the events were able to chat, share, see the wider work of SU Scotland

at the Big Celebration, and generally have a great time.

So it was all brilliant.

Attending SU Holidays was important in helping me think about my own Christian faith. I grew up in a Christian family, but it all became real for me several years ago. This summer was definitely an opportunity to grow my faith and understand more about what it means to lead in the way that Jesus did.

I started to see other people differently and to understand more about what my role might be in different situations. Leadership was different from what I had expected—more about caring, helping and putting others first than I had realised before.

It can feel really challenging to share your Christian faith in a school setting. I know we are called to be light in the darkness. This summer helped me to feel more ready for that challenge.

quote_open_roundel Zach Coffee, S6, Stirling

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN ››››

The next chapter in a few of the stories shared in the last edition of @SU...

... NAOMI GOT INVOLVED IN LEADING AN SU HOLIDAY CLUB

Young leader, Naomi, coordinated a Holiday Club at South Glasgow Church, with support from SU Scotland's Creative Director, Jenny Hamill.

'It did feel a bit overwhelming at times. However, I received a lot of support from my church—also SU Scotland's resources were amazing! A highlight on the first day was singing the song 'Praise' and feeling overcome with emotion at seeing everything I had prayed for becoming a reality.’

LESLEY BROUGHT BACK TO SCHOOL WITH GOD TO HER CHURCH

Lesley helped her church congregation at Strathaven Evangelical Church to engage with Back to School with God through a Sunday service.

Back to School with God Sunday was greatly appreciated by my church. The material was excellent— full of creative ideas, useful resources for planning the service, and easy to adapt. The kids enjoyed taking part in the reading and prayers.

'The Bible teaching—highlighting the contrast between the blind beggar and Zacchaeus—helped to include everyone, as the vast majority were not returning to school that coming week! I recommend the resource which can also be adapted for use in other services on the subject of change—not just going back to school.'

… OVER 1000 YOUNG PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER THIS SUMMER FOR MAGNITUDE FESTIVAL AT LENDRICK MUIR. ONE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE SHARED:

'Magnitude Festival really was a glimpse of what I think the Kingdom of Heaven could be when Jesus returns. It was so encouraging to be surrounded by other Christians my age— seeing how God is changing hearts and lives in amazing ways all around me, and sharing this passionately in conversations with one another.

'It was spirituality so beneficial on a personal level too. God took me through a lot of different things that week and dealt with many things in my life that were stopping me from having a closer relationship with him. One of the best ways I could describe Magnitude Festival was a reset button on my walk with God. It reminded me of what it really means to praise him "at all times".'

… FIONA AND HER TEAM KICKSTARTED A FAMILY FESTIVAL IN FIFE

Fiona Stewart, Creative Director at Foolproof Creative Arts, led the successful 'Elie & Earlsferry Festival of Life'. Fiona shares the highlights with us.

'Jesus’ words from John 10:10—"Real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of"— formed the bedrock of our week. We chatted to passersby, gave away cakes, prayed, played sports, made films, picked litter, surveyed the beach, wrote stories, painted, juggled, putted, chalked pavements and shared the love of Jesus with holiday makers, locals and day visitors.

'Give thanks for what God is doing in the East Neuk, and pray that everyone who engaged—old, young, Christian, not yet Christian, visitor, local—will encounter the one who offers abundant life to all.’

WHAT’S

OUR VISION is the SAME:

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

 School SU Groups

 Bible Alive

 Christmas/Easter presentations

 Holiday Clubs

 Equip events

 School residentials

OUR VALUES are the SAME:

 dependence on God

 deepening relationships

 SU International partnerships OUR CORE ACTIVITIES are the SAME: OUR LIFE-CHANGING OUTCOMES for young people on their faith journey are the SAME:

 Magnitude Festival

 Digital resources

 Youth comms

 Gaming ministry

 Young leader training

 SU Gap Year/internships

 SU Holidays/Weekends respond discover flourish explore

WHAT'S NEW & EVOLVING?

Well, we're going to be simultaneously...

... more LOCAL

 We will develop and strengthen connections with local churches, schools and Christians, serving every high school cluster in Scotland.

 We will strengthen our team of regional and schools workers and the volunteer base they support.

 We will expand Associate Worker Trust schemes, recognising the need to work from the ground up.

 We will incubate and release new local youth projects in priority communities, in the style of Ferrywell and Junction 12, with Glasgow a priority.

 We will increase the number of local, churchbased SU Holiday Clubs that we support.

... more NATIONAL

 We will develop Bible-based curriculum resources (videos and supporting classroom materials) for use in schools, churches and centres, supported by effective marketing and distribution approaches.

 We will create a library of digital Bible content for young people to access online with short-form video explainers and longer episodic content on key Bible themes.

 We will launch a large-scale Bible engagement project, including a daily Bible reading plan, with the goal of seeing people of all ages reading the Bible regularly, on their own and in community with others.

... more PERSONAL

 We will invest in skills training and discipleship programmes for all involved in the ministry—young leaders, volunteers and staff—to help us be as effective and fruitful as possible.

Our ANCHORS are a new expression of how we work ...

Bibles open • Prayer central • Ministry at the Margins prioritised • Volunteers first Disciples making disciples • Serving churches • Residentials transforming lives

WHERE WILL WE BE IN THREE YEARS?

1. Local ministry hubs will be established across Scotland, connecting SU Scotland staff with high school clusters (secondary schools and their associated primaries).

Working with local churches and other partners, more volunteers will get involved, and we will be reaching 10% of Scotland’s young people.

2. Ministry at the Margins activities will be growing, with our care and concern for priority children and young people always to the fore. Churches will be seeking our expertise on Additional Support Needs (ASNs)—and we will be ready to help.

3. New local youth projects will have started in priority communities.

4. Bible engagement will be featuring prominently in all of our activities, with groups and individuals benefiting from our new resources.

5. New video content will be helping young people in schools to explore the Bible in the classroom, especially at Christmas and Easter.

6. Staff and volunteers will be benefiting from new training with flexible learning options, including online formats.

7. Additional staff will be enabling growth across our ministries.

8. Our residential centres will be thriving, with investment in accommodation and central facilities.

‘We're excited to see where God takes us on this adventure. We're building on what we already know and have, while stepping out in faith with greater investment in local communities, national initiatives, and the development of our activity centres.

'All of this takes us ever closer to our big goal: to see every child and young person in Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to the significance of Jesus. We do all of this in total dependence on God and for his glory, remembering that in John 15:5, Jesus says, "Apart from me, you can do nothing."'

quote_open_roundel

Robin MacLellan CEO, SU Scotland

REDRAWING THE MARGINS

It is a great privilege to serve SU Scotland as our Ministry at the Margins Lead. I am thrilled that, across all ministry areas, we have an increasing focus towards children and young people who experience life at the margins.

God’s heart for people facing hardship is clear to see throughout the entirety of scripture, and, as followers of Jesus, I believe we are called to imitate him, pursuing justice for those marginalised.

I am so encouraged to see how people across the whole of the SU Scotland team have been considering how we weave this focus into the many different areas of our ministry. From SU Holidays and Missions to work in schools, we are steadily redrawing the margins.

Over the past year, a third of our mission events occurred in priority communities, with 438 children having attended. We partnered with churches to reach communities across Scotland in Bellshill, Dalkeith, Easterhouse (Glasgow), Ferguslie Park (Paisley), Helensburgh, Kirkcaldy, Moredun/Gilmerton (Edinburgh), Pentlands (Dundee), Peterhead and

Stranraer. Some of these are long-term connections and some are new.

It was great to have new partners supporting our Motiv8 Holidays—Holy Trinity Church Wester Hailes and the 2CYT Trust—who together brought 20, P5-P7 priority children from SU Groups run in Clovenstone and Rigside Primary Schools.

One of the ways that we reach different groups of young people is by partnering with other organisations. For example, Families Outside and Crossreach sought to refer young people affected by family imprisonment onto SU Holidays, building on the existing relationship with Circle and Prison Fellowship Scotland.

Lots has also been happening at our centres. A second holiday for Ukrainian refugee families recently took place at Lendrick Muir, this time with 37 attending, including 21 young people, and Gowanbank hosted a special school for their overnight camping for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

At Magnitude Festival, we offered a team, space and

resources for young people with Additional Support Needs (ASNs), for whom the main gatherings may have been overwhelming.

As we look ahead, we have appointed Elaine Tait, our first ASN Development Coordinator, whose role helps us grow in our inclusive strategies and practices across SU ministry. And our first Gap:at the Margins Gap Year trainee, John PizzutoPomaco, has started in Northfield, Aberdeen.

We’ve already accomplished so much. There are now 26 SU Groups taking place in priority schools, with three more in special schools. We know this is just the beginning, and more will come in the months and years ahead. Our focus remains on those who are marginalised, ensuring they are prioritised.

So many are contributing to this work and its success. We believe we are following Jesus' example by drawing those at the margins into the centre. Thank you for your continued support.

quote_open_roundel Tim Raynes Ministry at the Margins Lead suscotland.org.uk/ what-we-do

EXPLORE CHRISTMAS

Planning for Christmas seems to happen earlier and earlier every year—this year, we actually started thinking about Christmas back in January!

We’re excited to be launching Explore Christmas, a video-based resource designed to be used in Scottish primary schools.

We know there is a need for high-quality resources for the Religious and Moral Education (RME) curriculum, and we are not aware of other organisations producing materials in Scotland.

Explore Christmas builds on resources that were created during the pandemic, including Light Up Christmas and Colour in Easter. Teachers are often looking for material that will help their classes to learn about different aspects of the curriculum, and this material helps

young people in the 8–11 age bracket to delve into the real meaning of Christmas.

The Explore Christmas resource includes custom animation, storytelling, interviews with children and expert input to create a real feast for the eyes. Our aim— to try and demonstrate God’s splendour through our creativity and determination to make a broadcast-quality film.

SU Scotland’s Cheri Young, one of two Regional Workers in North East & Shetland, wrote the script, and our two young hosts, Maria and Nathan, are both Scottish. So, this is a production that’s firmly rooted here in Scotland, ensuring both the content and its presentation is relevant.

Our big vision at SU Scotland is that every child and young person should hear the good news about Jesus in a way

that is relevant to them and be able to explore the Bible and respond to what they have heard. These materials have been developed with that vision firmly in mind.

Now, having worked hard to create an amazing resource, we need to get it into as many primary schools as we can, so that thousands of young people get to explore what Christmas is actually all about.

There are other resources coming soon, including Explore Easter, which is currently in development and planned to be ready for Easter 2025.

Please help SU Scotland by sharing the free resources with your local primary school and by supporting us in prayer to reach as many young people as possible.

quote_open_roundel Jenny Hamill Creative Director

MISSION TO HUNGARY

In 2 Timothy 5:7, Paul writes, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ The Big Race was the theme for SU Hungary’s English camp in the village of Nagytarcsa located just outside Budapest.

We had a truly wonderful week, and we saw God’s favour in so many ways. Both team morale and energy were high—we got on well together. Tamas, of SU Hungary, had prepared us by letting us know we would be sleeping on the floor, but when we arrived, joy-of-joys, the church had found three families willing to take us in! Children gave up their beds, and a single mum had moved in with her son. We were grateful, humbled by their hospitality and sacrifice. The small church took care of our team by cooking delicious lunches and dinners for us, organising our transport and keeping the bathrooms

clean. We were made to feel at home and given a truly unique opportunity to share fellowship with Hungarian Christians.

During the camp, God provided us with the energy and perseverance we needed to keep going in the heat—just like an athlete, running the race. On the first day, one of the Team Members, Laura, sat outside, melting in 38̊ C heat, and said, ‘I just can’t do this. I'm ginger— I will burn!’ Just then, a child sat down beside her. Laura used an online translator and began a conversation. We all just kept going. Everyone gave 100%.

Teaching English was challenging, with different abilities in the same group, but we did our best. Despite the language barrier, we connected with people—not just through words—but through actions, games and love. Their teenagers became our friends.

At the end of the week, the pastor thanked us for the sacrifice of our time and travel to come and help. Tamas appreciated our team, saying our storytelling was brilliant! There are ongoing challenges for SU Hungary. Two camps had been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers. No funding is provided by churches, and there is not a culture of charitable giving. The small SU staff team is part-time and lives by faith. It was moving to sense that God wanted us there. That, just as in Acts, we had been sent out.

We learned a lot about the work of SU Hungary. One Gap Year member shared that the trip had been life-changing. We pray it was similarly impactful for the children and teenagers in Nagytarcsa. quote_open_roundel Elizabeth McDowell Prayer & Church Partnerships Coordinator & Team Leader on the SU Hungary mission trip

AT THE CENTRE OF OUR CENTRES

SUScotland

staff work hard to make our centres attractive, comfortable, fun and engaging places for young people to come for SU Holidays, Weekends and schools residentials. Volunteers help to light up these spaces and young people love to come and take part in a huge range of events.

Happy 25th birthday, LENDRICK MUIR!

Since our centre opened its doors back in 1999, thousands of people have visited for holidays, weekends, schools residentials and festivals. We are so grateful for this beautiful place where people can come to encounter God.

We’d like to say a special 'thank you' to every supporter who contributed to the recent developments at ALLTNACRICHE. What a difference it is making!

This autumn, we’re fundraising to develop GOWNBANK in East Ayrshire. Your support will help more children and young people to discover Jesus through their time at this wonderful centre.

suscotland.org.uk/ donate/gowanbankdevelopment-appeal-2024

MAGNITUDE WORSHIP NIGHTS

3 November 2024, Perth

24 November 2024, Aberdeen

7 February 2025, Edinburgh

8 February 2025, Glasgow

2 March 2025, Ayr

Magnitude exists to see a generation of young people captivated by the magnitude of who God is and transformed by encountering him. £5 entry; cash and card payments on the door. Find event locations and start times online.

magnitude.org.uk/ worship

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Cooks Training Day

16 November 2024, Glasgow

This training is open to new Chief Cooks or Assistant Cooks who are considering making the leap to leadership.

Allergy Awareness

1 March 2025, Glasgow

Archery

22–23 Mar. 2025, Lendrick Muir

24–25 May 2025 , Lendrick Muir

Archery Tag

25 Feb. 2025, Lendrick Muir

26 April 2025, Lendrick Muir

This training provides skills to lead safe and enjoyable activity sessions, and perform basic equipment maintenance.

Interested? Get in touch with SU Scotland's Volunteers Department: volunteers@ suscotland.org.uk suscotland.org.uk/events

SPOTLIGHT & EQUIP

Spotlight East (S1–S2)

25 October 2024

29 November 2024

31 January 2025

7.00–8.45pm

Cornerstone Free Church

Edinburgh

Equip Dundee (S1–S6)

29 November 2024

7.00–9.00pm

Hillbank Church

Equip East (S3–S6)

25 October 2024

29 November 2024

31 January 2025

7.00–8.45pm

Elim Church, Edinburgh

Equip West (S1–S6)

25 October 2024

29 November 2024

31 January 2025

7.00–9.00pm

The Tron, Glasgow

Equip and Spotlight events help young people explore their Christian faith and tackle some of today’s big questions. Join us to explore God’s Word, grow in confidence and connect with others. The programmes feature Bible talks, group time, Q&A and plenty of fun!

suscotland.org.uk/ spotlight

suscotland.org.uk/ equip

suscotland.org.uk/events

EQUIP PUPIL LEADER TRAINING (ONLINE)

31 October 2024

7, 14, 21 November 2024

Discover what Jesus says about leadership, and find out how to run an SU Group in your school.

suscotland.org.uk/ equiptraining

BIBLE ALIVE TRAINING

18 November 2024

Edinburgh

Bible Alive is an exciting programme that teaches P5–P7 children the whole story of the Bible through interactive multimedia lessons. This day of training is for those wanting to bring Bible Alive into their local schools. suscotland.org.uk/events

SU SCOTLAND DAY OF PRAYER

29 January 2025

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/dop

CO m MISSION

Basecamp 2025

21–23 February, Gowanbank 9–15 June, Kingscross 15–21 June, Kingscross

LeadUP 2025 20–27 June, Alltnacriche

suscotland.org.uk/events