Naturally Supernatural

St Hugh's 16+ headed off to join a conference at Soul Survivor Watford last Thursday. Naturally Supernatural was all about the Holy Spirit. Ken Costa was speaking on the comfort side of the Holy Spirit.

Once I understood the real meaning of comfort, I have really latched on to it as something that gets me through all days. For the rare moments when I feel as though no one is on my side. And for the moments when it's all going swimmingly well. God is there cheering me on. 2 Corinthians 1 mentions the God of All Comfort.

It's good to be in a different place hearing these things, even if Ken was using words I didn't understand, I got the general idea behind what he was saying. I love the way that God takes the words of others and uses them to talk to every one individually.

The Saturday before last was a perfect example of this, the Spirit of the Lord was upon me and He has anointed me! I used my gift well last weekend and got a bit of money from the community for my trouble. It was enjoyable. God using my words and his convincing to get us some money! Yeay!

May the God of all comfort be comforting you!

CUF

My salary is largely funded by a great bunch of guys at Church Urban Fund. They visited us a few months ago for Big Breakfast, took some information and some pictures.

We're currently "project of the month" on their website. Love it. There's Lauren and me under the rainbow in the hall (on the CUF home page), and then Trina and Dele at the top of the page and Alex at the bottom. Yes we have a wide mix of people at BB.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of all the hard work the volunteers do to put on Big Breakfast every week! It's a massive relief to see some of the work I do getting recognised.

Along with that and something God said to me last night, I'm feeling pretty chuffed right now.

Later this week I'm off to Youthwork the Conference. I'm massively looking forward to a) hanging out with the boys and my sister and b) being away for a bit with a purpose.

Plunged into Darkness

We are back to 'normal time' here in the UK, so the nights are dark and the dawn is earlier for a short amount of time. The first week always feels the most depressing. Everyone suddenly realises that winter is much closer than you thought and the chances of having a nice day disappear.

It's great for firework displays though and for all those who will be out on Saturday for Hallowe'en. Not a joyfilled time of year really, but I like it. The trees are changing colour and there is a better excuse to be snuggled up with hot chocolate. And most importantly apple filled donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. Yum!

And for something completely different, Liz and I will be hanging out in St Albans Cathedral from 8pm on Friday to 8am on Saturday, with hundreds of young people and some lovely people from my diocese. I am looking forward to the twilight hours, something I enjoy and don't find creepy, where every one is quiet and you feel like you are the only one awake. The fun thing is I'll have to teach. Have you ever led a session gone midnight? It struck me how unusual this might be the other day as I was preparing my session. I could have so much sugar/caffeine in my system that I'll be non-sensical. Start praying!

Anyway, it should be lots of fun and I hope to make many new friends during the night. If all else fails at least I can say I attempted to teach between the hours of 9pm and 2am. A unique opportunity!

Of course it's not all about darkness, this weekend also includes a 'Light Party' alternative to Hallowe'en for the children at church, and our new bishop is coming on Sunday to confirm (a CofE rite of passage?/ritual?) some adults and young people. then I finally get to see my family for an evening meal. Very happy to end the weekend like that!

A Long List

Things have been happening since I last wrote...

My faith took another bashing at a Youth BBQ. I can understand the school children doing it, they don't know me, they are permitted to ask questions (however mockingly). But at a BBQ with young people I know quite well, sadly I had to walk away and not be part of the conversation any more, cause I'd run out of answers and patience.

Then we had Lewsey Churches BBQ inside because of the torrential rain and thunderstorms outside. I can't remember having such extreme weather in the UK, it's been such a long time since we had regular decent thunder and lightening. I really enjoyed it, mainly because I wasn't getting wet!

The week wore on; it's that time of year for trips. We have an unusal thing in our youth group where two people were born hours apart, so have the same birthday. They are completely unrelated. I love the way God brings people together. We headed to Laser Quest for their birthdays. During 'dinner' I sat back and realised what a wonderful youth group had been formed over the last year. They, as a group, are testament to how much I have learnt. I love them all dearly and pray that their group gets stronger.

We had breakfast on the car park and a mighty miracle from God to do it. He moved the clouds at 8am and the sun shone through till 9.30am. Everything is possible when you let God work! It was great to see the young people and teachers that day, though sadly no dustbin men or old grumpies. Our community doesn't feel complete without them really. It was a great way to end the term.

During that week I also completed the practice and essay for my PGDip and JNC. So I can now say that "I am a fully Qualified Youth Worker, subject to Exam Board passing my essay and practice file". Not quite as fun as saying I'm a JNC Youth Worker, but close enough for me! It's been 2 years of hard work, but it's all done (subject to Exam Board - it's like a sting in the tail).

Then it was time for me and my sister to turn 25. We went our separate ways for our actual birthday. She hung out with our family and went drinking and dancing, whilst I spent the morning at Luton Hoo, and the evening at Silverstone.

For those who don't know Luton Hoo is a stately home turned Hotel, newly refurbished and reopened to the public. They do a great breakfast. So I and 12 girls (and 1 boy who is so tiny he didn't know any different) had breakfast together. It was delightful!
Me and Christine

Me in my new role as Stately Home owner!

Silverstone is a whole other world. Its one of the main race tracks in the UK and where Formula 1 raced only a few weekends ago. I went up there to spend the evening with a friend who was racing with Formula Student. All the Mechanical Engineer departments in Europe racing cars they have built. Was very fun I stood on the track and in the pit lane. My Dad really lovely Formula 1 so was very jealous. I loved it.

The Home Straight

Me standing with a vacant expression on my face... hoping not to get run over, not really know what to do. I look proper tiny under the Santander Bridge!

The pit lane... apparently still had markings on it from F1 (I don't really know though, I'm a girl!)

Sunday was spent at church with a[n embarrassing] rendition of Happy Birthday, which left me very red and quite embarrassed. Then to the parents for BBQ with family, extended family, our church friends and the boys school/work friends. Was lovely to see everyone and hang out. (will post pics soon)

Monday night I held another Youth BBQ and the new Curate helped out. He's a man and loves building fire, so the job was perfect for him. The YP had brought me a card and cake! They surprised me massively. And again I realised how blessed I am to have all 13 of them in my life. Lovely young people! Brilliant end to a great weekend!

Hopefully life will calm down now. Just Uganda and September term to prepare for! Ha ha... working hard as ever!

Lessons Learnt Pt 2

Yesterday afternoon was by far the hardest lesson I have ever had to teach. For all the lessons I have taught, this was the loudest and most questioned I have ever been in. Unfortunately the young people were not doing a very good job at listening to the answers I had. After a few incidents of "Jebus" I had to stop and tell them exactly what was bothering me.

Sometimes the things we say offend other people with out realising it. The only place I really pull young people up on their language is Big Breakfast, some of the yp swear unnecessarily and I have a sharp ear for it... but in this lesson there weren't any swear words, but poor Jesus got a nickname. I know he's been called worse things. I stopped, took stock for a moment and when I carried on things weren't much better.

I stood at the front of the class being pelted by some really good questions, "Who created God?" "How can you believe all this stuff?" "Is Jesus really alive?" "Does God talk to you?" Waaah, but I know that there is nothing before God and there will be nothing after God, I know Jesus is alive and God does talk to me (but not in a audible voice). Our children know myths about God, I find this very sad. They believe in very little and are sceptical. One of the teachers said "you can't question other people's beliefs" don't think that's so true, I think you can, but I think you do have to be sensitive to others too and listen to what they believe, even if you don't believe it yourself.

These discussions HAVE to continue... I was dreaming big dreams on Monday and one of them is to always be in discussion about faith and beliefs.

Tigger moments

No internet at home means plain blogging for a few weeks. I promise many photo's upon the return of BT broadband to the house (Sky lost out because they were massively unhelpful...)

I'm at work, making massive use of the internet before working on a sermon this afternoon with no facebook distraction! There might be something go out of this lack of internet!

No thoughts worth sharing have occurred in the last seven days. But Good News prevails! Since we joined Mission Direct, had a project to go to and confirmed who was going to be part of the team we have raised the £11,160 we need to pay for our tickets.

This was massively helped along by my parents church, my own church and the local community. Everybody has put so so so much in. I got a bit emotional in church on Sunday. Not a bad thing, I was totally and suddenly overcome by how much people had given! It's amazing. God has been gracious to us, He's given more than I could ever imagine.

There are many minds at peace about this trip now, mine is one of them, but I've felt like this since February, so I turned into Tigger. My security and joy definitely come from God and I'm massively happy at the moment.

Now all I have to remember is to pay the money to MD oh, and get the booster injections and health passort I need to gain entry to Uganda.

{ONEL!FE}.

"What else will distinguish us?"

{ONEL!FE} is an organisation designed to support and encourage young leaders. They do this by holding conferences and taking some of those leaders to Uganda in the summer. Many of the young leaders from St Andrew's Chorleywood are on the team, and they did a brilliant job at looking after us while we were at conference A.

This years theme was "what else will distinguish us?" based on Exodus 33 and the transformational leadership of Moses. Not only were there some great speakers (Mark Waterfield, Pete Wynter, Greg Downes, Emily Vesey and David Pytches) there were also some great people to hang out with.

Of course we are distinguished by God, by what he has called us to do and be part of (and did you know that calling is irrevocable? Rm11v29) but it's about letting that call distinguish us in the way we live, lead and work. We know we are different, but we don't live it out much.

Pete Wynter talked about going deeper into the presence of God and taking it with us wherever we go. Hark back 3 months and Youth Work the conference is talking about the exact same thing. Maybe there is something in this deeper thing!

Small conferences are great, big conferences are great (if you know a small group of people). I'll be taking some young people to YLC next year, wherever I might be.

I really love church! I love going to different places across the world and knowing that I can find home there.

Auf Deutsch

oder auf englisch?

I've just returned from Germany or more specifically Paderborn, which is north west Germany. Just an hour on the plane from Stanstead.

We landed on Tuesday morning and had German breakfast, meat, bread, cheese and coffee (fleisch, brot, käse und kaffee). Before heading to our accommodation in Borchen about 7km from Paderborn. Stephanus-Haus is a youth centre, much like any youth centre in the UK. Lots of room. We headed to Schloss Neuhaus to visit a school and chat to the teachers about exchanges. We went to met Uwe (oo-ver) and all the paid and volunteer youth workers in the region of Paderborn (but Paderborn is a town as well, following me?) in the evening.

Our hosts, Volker and Konni head up the team and were leading the meeting. A long day and the meeting was long too, but everywhere we went we received a warm welcome and food.

On Wednesday we had breakfast in Wewelsburg, a village with a castle which was taken over by Himmler in WWII. There was also a Concentration Camp just outside the village. It was a very tough day, to face the past and to know that I have learnt nothing much from the history books. When it is in your face, it's hard. If you ever have the opportunity to go, do it. It's very educational.

In the evening we went to a youth service and visited a Youth House, an actual house with lots of space for young people to hang out. More coffee and stollen, so much cake. On to Uwe's for dinner and more chatting. Pictures are on the website. He lives miles away in the east of the region, up in the hills. Oh and it snowed!

On Thursday we spent the day in Paderborn, meeting the Superintendant of the KirchenKreis for breakfast. To the Town Hall (Rathaus) for a meeting with the head of the Youth Service in Paderborn. Two very important ladies in leadership. Then back to Wewelsburg for observing an afterschool project, where some very brave 6-8year olds spoke English to us.

We had 2.5 hours in Paderborn for the Weihnachtsmarkt. I really enjoyed the feel of the Market. We ended our trip back in Wewelsburg with dinner in Ottens Hof. Lovely dinner, great company and it's so lovely to be family across the world.

My love for Germany, for the language and the people has got stronger throughout this trip and I was sad to say goodbye this morning at 5am british time.

Questions without answers

Lots of 'what ifs' and 'whys'... I can't answer them, or if I do I say, I haven't been there, or I don't know.

This last weekend I've been away with my old church (or sending church, or parents church, or family church)... any way I grew up in this church. I got to hang out with the 'next' generation. My parent's friends children were the young people and they had a great idea of what we were talking about.

Two of my passions worked on this weekend, young people and eradicating the word 'stuff' from my vocabulary. So we eventually got to the tangible about Christianity with two different groups.

The funny thing about youth work is the way that as soon as you introduce someone new to a group, leaders-wise, suddenly the young people wake up and start to answer the questions you've been trying to get them to answer for months! Liz said "you are so much better than me" I responded "I'm so much different from you". As we both grow in ministry, we'll find the things we are good at, and things we need to work on. Sometimes I love growing up other times i dislike it intensely.

In other news, I pedloed for the first time ever this weekend, and am watching The Day After Tomorrow, which is making me feel freezing!!

When life works out

I have, by no means got it all sorted, I cry at silly things, I often open my mouth without prior thought, I gossip and sometimes I'm not a very good friend. However I know God, and I know he definitely has it all sorted. How long did He ponder about making the Earth and all the intrinsic things that we don't see, and won't because we take them for granted. I still take time to marvel at rainbows, and their fleeting beauty.

This makes a massive difference in how I approach some tasks... I know that God will sort out things I can't and will bless the things I try to do.

Anyway the point is, I asked the young people to share how their summer had been, what it sounded like for them. For some it sounded like new music, melodies and words which touch hearts and get stuck there. For others summer made Jesus sound a whole lot bigger than they originally understood. For others there was a loud, clear call to be something more, to become the person they are.

For me the summer was a repetitive sound, in a good way. Not the drip of a tap when you can't sleep, but better than that. I talked a bit on Sunday about Psalm 139, and Doug (who is 'granddad') repeated the verse we'd learnt at camp, with no prompting. Every week as we pray, I go back to the Psalms and search out the verse we learnt at camp, I don't know why but it's comforting.

I'm really proud of what the young people taught church this weekend, and mostly because it fitted right in with the theme of the summer for church - the story of David.

My summer started with John Mayer and two months later its over with an event this weekend which I will not be able to talk about until it's over. And i will post pictures, I promise. i feel I have been a little bit middle of the road about life. It's time to start getting passionate again!!

Resonating

A few years a go this post would have been known as Ignition... but that changed last year and a new type of summer camp was born.

Resonate is in it's second year, it's run in the 3rd week of August, leaders and young people camp in a place called Latimer Park, just outside Chorleywood.

It's a beautiful place, very very green and lots of space for the young people to run around (and leaders get worn out).

This week end was training, a very quick 22hours spent brainstorming and catching up with friends I haven't seen since Ignite. Lots of fun for us.

So begins the preparation for Resonate, 2 months and counting.

Gaffiti

There is a building just down the road from me which is being torn down and rebuilt by the council for cheap housing (so it'll probably be occupied again in 6 months).

As with all works, the council have put up hoarding around the building. They did that yesterday morning. This morning there is some obscene graffiti covering the sides. Can't fault the young people who had found a bit of chalk and put up their mark on the beech coloured board, so quickly after it had been put up.

Went to prayers this morning and was muchly encouraged.

Also didn't believe my brother the other week when he said it was as light as day when they were waiting for a cab at 5am, but having got up yesterday to do breakfast club I now believe him.

We are having summer in small chunks this year, but it's better than having no summer at all!

23rd Feb - Prayer day/concert

Being stuck inside all day isn't a bad thing when you get to hear some one like Dr Jonathan Oloyede speak for a few hours.

A man who is led by God as to what to challenge the churches in Luton.

Pray more.
Pray with authority (which is different from power)
Pray with each other
Pray in conversation with God
Pray the prayers of others

Young people came to St Hugh's tonight, and I was astounded by them. We pray for each other, we pray for the adults, we pray for our leaders. Mostly we pray.

I don't believe that God only works in mysterious ways, He works in the everyday, in the ordinary.

It's been said before coincidences happen when we pray and it's funny that they stop when we stop!

We will keep prayng. Hallelujah!

Up and coming

Take what you will from this title, but if you happen to be in Luton on this day make sure you pop in to St Hugh's (Jeff has all the credit for the design)

Cracking on with life, and a bit moany about having to do lots of uni work over Easter, whilst trying to fast for 24hours (yes WorldVision are asking for money).

May Ball 2-007 / Pentecost

A bit nicked from Chris! We headed to the Universities May Ball on Friday, which had a James Bond theme...


And the girlies pre-coach trip...

It was a great night.

Now it's half term, and there are a few different things happening, but for now I'm chilling out and watching POTC3 with Liz this evening!

* * *

The young people led the Petecost service at St Hugh's on Sunday. They were all amazing, I was so impressed. Sermon is on other page.

The Holy Spirit definitely arrived and I'm well excited about what the future holds for the young people in St Hugh's.

Less Itchy

I'm less itchy than I was earlier in the week... I reckon I had head lice from school. Which is never fun, but it doesn't matter now.

Taught Moses through a picture this afternoon, so I've had a crafty week. That ends the series on God talking to us - next is God giving us courage.

Luton is being covered in prayer currently, and the young people from St Hugh's joined in. I'm proud of them. It's Global Day of Prayer on Sunday. Pray for them as they lead St Hugh's Pentecost Service. I'm doing a short preach, should be good.

It's half term next week, wohoo! Heading to Cambridge for an afternoon and Essex for a day, looking forward to it all.

Why do we do what we do?

So John tagged me...

1. I'm a twin, but I often refer to Liz as my sister, it's just easier to explain!

2. CSI is turning me into a geek, I know I will never be a CSI, it's far too much hard work. If I'm sat in front of the telly it's usually CSI related.

3. I'm currently driving my dream car! I love it, and it has had a lot of comments. I'm singing quite loudly at the moment, so I'm not quite sure if the stares are because of the colour or the dancing.

4. Teaching 11-14 year old's is a big passion of mine. Any thing that gets young people understanding God a bit more. I want young people across the world enabled to make their own decisions about faith.

5. Obscenities in pop music makes me want to cry every time I hear them. I don't understand why something/anything that is universal needs to be gratuitous or explicit. I'm starting to sound old in my ways, but lots of young people are robbed of their innocence because of pop stars etc.

6. I love luton, it's not hard to tell the way I talk, but I love it. I'm still really glad to be back here, I wonder if it will ever wear out, I hope not.

7. My biggest issue about myself is my face...

8. Beautiful jewellery is something I wish I had more of.

* * *

In other news, life is moving along at a swift pace. I can't believe we are headng towards the end of the academic year so quickly. I'm hoping to have a chilled out weekend, before a hectic one next week.

I may be saying good bye to the Proton this weekend. It's getting to be quite hard.

Oh and if you wanna know anything more about me, just ask!

New Car!!

Let me introduce you to Jazz-mine... My beautiful new car, and it's pink. I don't think I need to say any more.

Also I got a place on the MA course at De Montfort. The MA is in youth and community development... it's joined with a professional qualification in youth work in the UK (which I've wanted to do since October 2005). It's distance learning, so it's very flexible and can be tailored to me a lot more.

I'm well excited, it's been a long week but a very good week.

Tomorrow the girlies are heading to Soul Sista in Watford to learn about 'Christ in us the hope of glory'. A phrase I've been struggling with for the past few years. I'm praying hard for this weekend, it's gonna be busy.

Labyrinth

St Hugh's hosted the Labyrinth over the last weekend, here are a selection of pictures.


Young People huddling around Station 5, called 'distraction'... playing with magnets to distort what a compass says.



My handprint in some sand, at Station 11. It was supposed to be the the first footprint of the onward journey when you leave the Labyrinth.



The Cd players that guide you around the Labyrinth, filled with Tesco Value batteries.



Please sign the visitors book as you leave the Labyrinth, we'll take the strangest comments and reflect upon them later.

Joseph's Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

I have the privilege of working with some amazing young people, who are talented in many many ways.

One example of this was a school play I went to see last night. In it were young people I've known since I've been in Luton and I'd have to say I'm absolutely amazed by their abilities. Musicians, dancers, actors, stage hands, costume designers and makers. To stand on a stage in front of a full house (opening night as well!) and perform as well as they all did, wow!

They have all done more than I ever could. I was on stage about 4 times during my whole school career, these guys already have impressive CV's and they will all go on to do great things (some of them will be doing it for Jesus too).

Today sees the end of a randomly busy week... and making the tough decision of whether to spend the day at Bedford Corn Exchange on Monday and what to teach now I've made connections with Halyard.