Hello church  

Here’s an update about all things youth ministry!

We are now four weeks into our Open House group which meets at SBC on Thursday evenings, and it’s been going really well! We’ve had three young people on the course, who have been committed to coming every week. We begin in the kitchen starting to cook the dish of the week. So far, we have done Spaghetti & Meatballs, Spring Rolls & Coconut Tart, Jollof Rice, Halloumi Salad and an Eton Mess! So, a real variety of dishes from different cultures, and it has been wonderful to see the young people growing in confidence in the kitchen, trying foods perhaps for the first time, and seeing them work as a group has been really lovely. Once the dish is all done, we gather around a table and eat together. Each week we discuss a different topic – including forgiveness, authenticity, and trust. The discussion is very interactive and includes an activity that they do individually to help them apply it to their own relationships in their lives. We end our session in a time of prayer, thinking about all that we’ve talked about and what they will take away from the session.

We’re now well into our new series in Rooted, exploring Jesus’ parables. Each week, we’ve been having some really good conversations and had opportunities to think, pray and reflect over the message of these parables and how they can relate to our lives. In January, the youth decided on a SBC Youth verse of the year! They chose Philippians 4:6, ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.’



The mentoring programme at Quest Academy on Thursday mornings continues to go well. I work with students on a one-to-one basis, and after the February half term I will be starting with a new student. When I am introduced to new students, I spend a couple of weeks getting to know them, finding out about their lives and for them to get to know me a little more too. Some young people use the time to just be listened to in a safe space, and for others is more of a structured session, all depending on the needs of the student.

I’ve also been going into Tenison’s every other Monday morning, delivering the Year 8 assembly. This has been going really well, and it’s been brilliant to build a relationship with the school, and with the year group. I am beginning to recognise them each time I go in, and vice versa which has been a lovely welcome! Some of the themes of these assemblies have included compassion and kindness, and a fresh start, thinking about making wise and positive choices. This has been such a wonderful opportunity to share about God’s Word and what it means for us today.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support for all things in youth ministry. God bless you all Katie