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Coombe boys project, Rm1

Coombe boys project, Room 1, kicked off last week, starting the 10 day free trial. The room at coombe boys is well facilitated for the needs of year 7 and 8 boys, complete with a pool table, ‘wii’ games console and various board games, as well as a homework/ arty table.

Over the last 6 days we have had a pool tournament, a virtual bowling tournament, a simpsons and popcorn afternoon and an ice cream sundae afternoon, and have started this week with planning smoothies recipes to be made later on in the week. Most of last week we had 20 boys turn up to be entertained for the 2 and a half hours.

Pray that this week is as big a success as we only had 10 boys today, and that we get more boys signed up for the club, after the free trial period. Also that we are easily able to build relationships with the boys.

Kingston University Freshers & Kingston's Biggest Free Roast

It all began at 8am on Thursday 20^th and finished at 4pm on Friday 21^st Sept and what happened in-between was non stop great chaotic fun!

What I am talking about is the recent joint churches presence at the 2007 Kingston University Fresher Fare. Prompted by the University Chaplin Rev Stan Brown, and coordinated by Oxygen under the banner of wantachurch.org.uk, the coming together of churches from across the Borough in the University saw over 30 people from all different church denominations and traditions meeting, greeting and giving free popcorn to many of the thousands of students who were arriving to find out information on everything from playing tennis, joining the army to which nightclubs to attend.

Our aim as we met and chatted to students was to invite them to what we hope will be Kingston’s Biggest Ever free roast this Sunday lunchtime (30^th Sept). Here at this gathering they will not only be able to feed up, but also be directed towards local churches, find out about courses that explore Christianity, as well as meet other students and Christian student groups.

Given the very positive response from the Freshers Fayre we are expecting around 100 – 150 new students to turn up on Sunday lunchtime at Kingston United Reformed Church. Would you therefore pray:

• For those who are organising, that they would be able to put in place all the plans needed to make the day a success
• For those cooking, serving and clearing that everything would run smoothly and safely
• For the many different churches and their representatives who will be there meeting and getting to know students
• For the students themselves that they would be protected as they settle into Kingston life and prompted to come this Sunday lunchtime

 To be involved in the biggest free roast event then email richard@oxygen-online.org

 

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And so it begins...

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Carol's Contemplations: Presence with Mark Yaconelli

Reflections on ‘Presence: Encountering God with young people’ – Mark Yaconelli

God loves people because he loves people

God loves me

It’s about listening

Really listening

And hearing

It’s about listening

Really listening

And seeing

It’s about being available

It’s about being open

And honest

And vulnerable

It’s about being

Being what you say

Being what you do

It’s about taking the time

It’s about not rushing in

It’s not about having the right answers

It’s about being there

It’s about loving

It’s about compassion

It’s about being broken

T’s about passion

It’s about loving

It’s about seeing people

It’s about seeing behind the mask

And still accepting

And loving

And being available

It’s about being hurt

And let down

And not understanding

And still accepting

And loving

And being available

It’s about building relationships

It’s about nurturing relationships

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

It’s not about agendas

It’s not about statistics

It’s not about curriculum

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

It’s about God’s way

Not man’s way

It’s about winners not losers

It’s about respecting and recognising every individual equally

No hierarchy

It’s about commitment

It’s about the long haul

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

I conclude that:

It is the job description of a mentor. It’s talking about being a role model for those around us. Yes!

It is about the freedom to be creative. To get away from rules and numbers. Fantastic!

I do what I do because I love young people – it’s more than a job