The Church Council were greatly encouraged by Sharon's letter with news from Sorted:
"I thought I might take this opportunity to let you know how the "SORTED" project is progressing with help from our circuit.
Andy's funding seems to be on a more secure footing now, but his latest brief was to create a YOUTH CONGREGATION and in order to work towards that, the format of the Friday night Youth Club has been changed.
Youngsters now have a time in which they divide into small groups and receive leadership and Christian teaching from a number of teenagers who have been meeting with Andy from the beginning of the project. Each group has an adult to guide them and these leaders are now encouraging the regular attenders to be part of these groups and, on the whole, it's actually working.
However, some are not so keen on the new format and the team are coming up against some challenging behaviour. One of the things which is encouraging them to persevere is Thackley's continued support and attitude towards any damage to the building. The youngsters are always reprimanded and respect for the premises is always emphasised. Andy is truly amazed at the tolerance shown and extremely grateful for it.
I help to run the skateboarding section of SORTED on Wednesday nights and although the wet dark nights have limited skaing opportunities, we have been able to build up a rapport with this group and include a fresh approach to Christian teachng using hot chocoloate and videos! ... with some amazing results which I will happily share with you if you ask. The honsty of these unchurched children really makes for colourtful debates! Again, Andy is surprised that the circuit sees my part in this work as important even though it isn't directly linked to any of our congregations.
Last year the team took 8 teens to the Soul Survivor Event and most of them became Christians during or following the event! As a direct result of these youngsters testimonies and the work Sorted does throughout the week they are taking more than double that number this year!
So, on behalf of SORTED, I would like to thank the church for its continued support for the project."
We pray for God's continued blessing on this project and praise Him for Andy and Sharon's witness and dedication to Christian youth work.
"I thought I might take this opportunity to let you know how the "SORTED" project is progressing with help from our circuit.
Andy's funding seems to be on a more secure footing now, but his latest brief was to create a YOUTH CONGREGATION and in order to work towards that, the format of the Friday night Youth Club has been changed.
Youngsters now have a time in which they divide into small groups and receive leadership and Christian teaching from a number of teenagers who have been meeting with Andy from the beginning of the project. Each group has an adult to guide them and these leaders are now encouraging the regular attenders to be part of these groups and, on the whole, it's actually working.
However, some are not so keen on the new format and the team are coming up against some challenging behaviour. One of the things which is encouraging them to persevere is Thackley's continued support and attitude towards any damage to the building. The youngsters are always reprimanded and respect for the premises is always emphasised. Andy is truly amazed at the tolerance shown and extremely grateful for it.
I help to run the skateboarding section of SORTED on Wednesday nights and although the wet dark nights have limited skaing opportunities, we have been able to build up a rapport with this group and include a fresh approach to Christian teachng using hot chocoloate and videos! ... with some amazing results which I will happily share with you if you ask. The honsty of these unchurched children really makes for colourtful debates! Again, Andy is surprised that the circuit sees my part in this work as important even though it isn't directly linked to any of our congregations.
Last year the team took 8 teens to the Soul Survivor Event and most of them became Christians during or following the event! As a direct result of these youngsters testimonies and the work Sorted does throughout the week they are taking more than double that number this year!
So, on behalf of SORTED, I would like to thank the church for its continued support for the project."
We pray for God's continued blessing on this project and praise Him for Andy and Sharon's witness and dedication to Christian youth work.