HSI

Half Term

2009-02-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

Hello.
We hope you like the new website.....where this blog is moving to. See link on post below...

We've been busy as always, we've been looking at how precious we are in our school RS's this week, with the help of eggs! We've had a cracking time!

Half term is ahead of this week, I'm off on a retreat so will be spending some time praying for HSI, for the Exec and the Council of Reference as they seek where HSI is going and how we can gain more financial funding. Please join in prayer with me.

My prayer is that HSI can continue to build on what has already been achieved and all the expansion of the work we can see just from this year.

Youth Alpha starts straight after half term, so please pray for Diana and I as we plan and prepare, and that we will have some great young people willing to explore with us.

Enjoy half term if you have it off!

NEW WEBSITE

2009-02-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

Can I draw your attention to the new HSI website...

http://haverhillschoolsinitiative.webs.com

The blog shall be moving over to this address also.

2009-02-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

Starting Tuesday 24 February. Next Door, Camps Rd. 3.30-4.30pm. 13-18 year olds. More info contact Beckie 07875 485520. haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com

2009-01-30T02:57:00.000-08:00

I've had a really exciting week and felt the need to share. We're being told that the church is in decline...but we aren't told that people are finding God all the time! This has been proven to me this week.

On Sunday a came across a young person who I have had contact with through Christian lunches in school, she has found Jesus along with her friend, through the positive witnesses of a Christian teacher and others. Then, I was doing a lesson yesterday in one school and a young person who I had contact with last year in Rock Solid came up to me and told me she gave her life to Christ 2 months ago, when I asked her how she told me through prayer, she discovered prayer, and how amazing it was in her life! WOW! No church, no people, just God and a thirst for spiritual fulfilment!
It's really exciting and got me more enthusiastic about how to reach young people and their thirst to experience something different and more meaningful.

This all fell in bizarre timing with me feeling the need to run a Youth Alpha course after school, this way they can search and if they want me fed into a youth group and church or something new can spring up out of it. Please pray as we consider how this works, practically, and with juggling time.

It's been a great few weeks, if a little busy with some great lessons at Castle Manor, RS's steadily keeping numbers, and in some increasing. It's an exciting time here in Haverhill, one of hope through all the gloom of the economic crisis. Please join with us as we pray for this hope to grow and to shine around our town.

Next week calms down a little;

Monday:
-Castle Hill Rock Solid
-Chalkstone Community Centre Rock Solid

Thursday:
-Hope prayer meeting 9am, open to anyone, Garden Anex Downs Baptist Church
-Rock Solid, Parkway

Friday:
-Rock Solid Parkway
-Mudflaps, a youth group held at Kedington Community Centre for those in school years 5-8, 4-5.45

Men Needed!

2009-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Hi....

We need male leaders for Monday night Rock Solid at the Chalkstone Community centre. we need people who could offer 2 Monday's a month, or more if they wanted. Leaders are there from 6 for a 6.30 start and we are finished by 8pm.

If you, or someone you know from your churches can help please e-mail me

haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com

Please put RS in the subject.

Thank you.

Week starting 26th Januray 09

2009-01-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Hope you are avoiding the lurgy,both Diana and I have been battling through this week, taking it in turns to be ill!

It's been a busy week with all clubs now running. We started at Castle Hill this week, a small group but very eager and full of questions. Some of the things discussed highlighted the importance for clubs like RS in providing friendship for those who are lonely. Please pray for this group as it grows.

Next week is looking a busy week, please pray for the health of Diana and myself and all those who volunteer with us.

Can we draw your attention to Friday night...Breakout, Friday 30 January at Haverhill Methodist Church. £2 admittance for...Big Screen PS2, dance mats, SingStar, cafe, DJ, Spiritual Zone and Bungee runs...and lots more.

The rest of the week;

Monday:

-Yr9 RE Castle Manor

-Rock Solid Castle Hill

-Rock Solid Chalkstone Community Centre

Tuesday:

-Yr9 RE Castle Manor

Thursday:

-Yr9 Castle Manor

-Rock Solid Parkway

Friday:

-Yr9 Castle Manor

-Rock Solid Parkway

-Breakout

Back to the busyness

2009-01-15T03:15:00.000-08:00

Hello. I returned from Wales last week after spending a week in a Castle for the Youth for Christ Staff Conference. It was a great time for teaching, with some excellent and inspiring bible studies lead by Leonard Sweet, so informative seminars and a time to reflect and pray into the work. It's always so encouraging to meet with other centres and hear the stories they bring, and to see over 400 people there all involved in the work of YFC in Britain! It was also a time to say farewell to Roy Crown the National Director of YFC as he moves on to new things.

But now I'm back and 2009 has great things in store for HSI. Diana Andre has returned from maternity to leave to do part time work with us, helping with the Parkway Rock Solid, we hope Rob will also continue his valuable contribution to the club.

We are also starting a new Rock Solid at Castle Hill Middle on Monday's after school for an hour. If you would like to be involved in this as a volunteer please contact us.

We are praying and looking into another mission week in a school, please pray as we seek to speak to schools.

Dates for the future..

BREAKOUT Friday 30 January

CAFE VIBE Friday 13 February

YOUTH LEADERS BREAKFAST Saturday 28 February

Next week looks busy so your prayers are always much needed...

Monday:

-RS Castle Hill, first one for year 5 and 6.

-RS Chalkstone Community Center, 6.30-7.45pm

Tuesday:

-Breakout planning meeting

Wednesday:

-Yr 9 RE lesson at Castle Manor

Thursday:

-Hope prayer meeting

-RS Parkway

-Yr9 RE lesson at Castle Manor

Friday:

-RS Parkway

-Mudflaps, Kedington, 4-5.45pm Kedington Community Centre, a club for Middle school aged young people

5-9 January 09

2009-01-05T01:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Back to work, but I'm off to Wales for the annual Youth For Christ Staff Conference, please pray for a safe journey, especially since it's snowy!

I will blog on my return to update you on the plans for 2009!

15-19 December 08

2008-12-12T00:50:00.000-08:00

Hello.

What a week, it's been manic with lots of lessons, assemblies and clubs. We have finished the Christmas lessons now, which I hope were good fun as we explored the prophesy and the the fulfillment through Jesus. It's great going around the schools seeing all the preparation and as excitement as we go into the last week of term.

Tonight we have Cafe Vibe and Breakout, more details on note below. Please pray for these events to be safe, fun and for us to get the message of God's love through in our actions and words.

So, next week is the last week of term, here's what is happening;

Monday:

-Chalkstone Community Centre Rock Solid-Christmas Special. 6.30-7.45 (parents and guardians welcome for tea/coffee and mince pies from 7.30)

Tuesday:

-Samuel Ward assembly-poverty

Wednesday:

-SW assembly-poverty

Thursday:

-SW assembly-poverty

-Parkway Rock Solid

Friday:

-Parkway Rock Solid

-Parkway Quiz afternoon

-Mudflaps, Kedington

Please pray for Staff and students as they look forward to Christmas and enjoy the last week.

2008-12-04T03:49:00.000-08:00

Friday Night Youth Cafe (14 yrs +)

'Next Door', Camps Rd, Haverhill

PS2's, Music, Cafe and Christmas Quiz

Free admittance (money for Cafe needed)

A place for young people to hang out on a Friday evening.

Breakout an event for those 9-13 yrs old.

Haverhill Methodist Church, Camps Rd

£2 admittance

Christmas Party-DJ, non-alcoholic cocktail bar-Cafe-inflatable games-Big Screen PS2-Spiritual Zone

For more information;

haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com

07875485520

photography may be taken at both events and used in the public domain.

8-12 December 08

2008-12-04T03:45:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Bit early this week but here's what's happening next week...

Monday:
-I'm on holiday but please pray for Chalkstone Community Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm

Tuesday:
-Parkway Middle Assembly
-Lots of planning

Wednesday:
-Chalkstone Middle yr6 RE Nativity

Thursday:
-Parkway Middle Yr7 RE, Commitment
-Parkway Rock Solid
-Chalkstone Middle Yr6 RE Nativity, 2 classes together

Friday:
-Parkway Middle Yr7 RE, Commitment x2
-Parkway Rock Solid
-Cafe Vibe and Breakout (more info on post above)

Monday 1-7 December 08

2008-11-28T02:46:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Christmas has now begun for HSI as we are in the swing of Nativity lessons. It's been a busy week seeing all 4 middle schools in 2 days for lessons!

Next week looks to be no quieter...

Monday:

-Clare Yr5 RE-Christmas lesson

-Chalkstone Community Centre Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm followed by a meeting.

Tuesday:

-Breakout meeting pm.

Wednesday:

-Parkway School trip to a Sikh Gudwara, please pray for opportunities to talk to the pupils about Christians attitudes to faith and those of other faiths.

Thursday:

-Clare Yr5 RE-Christmas Lesson

Friday:

-Clare Yr5 RE-Christmas Lesson

I will be off work Friday afternoon and the following Monday so the Blog will be updated on Thursday ahead of the following week.

24-30 November 08

2008-11-21T03:21:00.000-08:00

Hello!

It was great to see a core group of youth workers, both paid and voluntary joining us on Saturday morning for croissants and coffee as we met for the first Youth Leaders Breakfast. We spent the time talking over our motives for youth work, sharing in some highlights of work and praying together. I trust the others found this time useful and we hope to have another one sometime in Feb/March.

It was really encouraging to hear what youth work is happening in the area, it really feels like a good time for lour youth work, God is blessing so much and I pray that this exciting time continues.

Next week is the start of Christmas for me...yes I know it is November! Please pray for some Christmas cheer, and that God will inspire me to tell this incredible life changing story in a fun and relevant way so that this Christmas more of our young people can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Monday:

-Chalkstone RS, please continue to pray for these young people, many have come off the back of RS in school but with no Christian background, pray that the leaders, and the young people with faith can show the love of Jesus.

Thursday:

-Castle Hill Middle yr5 RE, growing up as a Christian, three lessons in a row.

-Clare Middle yr5 Christmas lesson.

-Parkway RS, pray for Rob as he takes this group, and thank God for the amazing group of yr5's we see regularly who are so much fun.

Friday:

-Chalkstone Middle yr5 Christmas lesson.

-Parkway RS, pray that Rob and I will continue to help this group in their search, many have come since the start of RS 20 months ago!

-Mudflaps.

Monday 17-23 November 08

2008-11-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Another week gone, busy with fitting a trip to Cliff College. It is always good to meet with others with similar thoughts and beliefs, to reflect together, and to study, delving into the books preparing for our dissertations! It's also good to be back in the swing of things here, with having great fun at Rock Solid, and tomorrow is our Youth Leaders Breakfast (details on posts below).

Next week then...

Monday: Chalkstone Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm, Chalkstone Community Centre.

Tuesday: Assembly Chalkstone Middle, theme:bullying (for National anti-bullying week)

Thursday: Hope prayer meeting.

Parkway Rock Solid.

Friday: Parkway Rock Solid.

Mudflaps.

With it being anti-bullying week next week please take time to remember those being bullied, those who bully and those who seek to help all involved such as teachers, parents, young people and organisations like Childline. Bullying has been a huge problem for many years, but now it isn't a case that it ends once you've left school with bullying happening on the Internet and using phones. Please pray into these situations.

Monday 10-16 November 08

2008-11-07T02:13:00.000-08:00

Will you be wearing your poppy with pride? I will be wearing my poppy as a mark of remembrance to all those who have fought and are fighting now, also to make as a celebration that we live in a free country because of what those people have done for us!

We will be focusing a fair bit on Remembrance day next week in the three Rock Solid Groups, looking at both the sacrifice and the celebration of freedom we now have.

I will be away fro part of next week on a Study Conference so I won't be contactable Tuesday and Wednesday.

What else is on...

Monday: Directors Summit, Comberton
Chalkstone Community Centre Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm

Tuesday:Wednesday: Study Conference, Cliff College, please pray for safe travel for me.

Thursday: Rock Solid Parkway Middle

Friday: Rock Solid Parkway Middle
Mudflaps, Kedington

Saturday: Youth Leaders breakfast, 8.30-10am Downslade Baptist Chapel, off Camps Rd, for anyone involved in youth work (9yrs +), whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, a time to pray and encourage one another.

2008-11-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

Monday 3-Friday 7 November 08

2008-10-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I hope this has been a good week, especially if you have had this half term off!

After having a time to catch up with planning this week next week gets back to normal.

Monday: Chalkstone Rock Solid, 6.30pm-7.45pm Chalkstone Community Centre.

HSI Exec meeting

Tuesday: Parkway Middle year 8 assembly.

Thursday: Hope Prayer meeting

Parkway Middle Rock Solid

Friday: Parkway Middle Rock Solid

Mudflaps, Kedington.

Have a great week and enjoy any fireworks parties!

2008-10-29T03:17:00.000-07:00

This Friday for 9-13 year old, £2 on the door. Cafe, Inflatable Gladiators, Big Screen Play Station, live DJ.

Monday 20th-friday 24 October 08

2008-10-17T01:27:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I hope you have had a good week. This term seems to be keeping me on my toes with more going on than ever before.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps with HSI, financially, prayerfully and in time. I especially want to thank those people who give up their time to serve our young people either in their churches or in HSI clubs...your work is very much appreciated!

It's been an encouraging week with conversations on new things developing and seeing existing things thriving. The new Monday night Rock Solid is doing better than I thought possible and it's great to see young people from 3 different middle schools coming together, and many who already go to Parkway RS.

I hope next week will be equally as encouraging!

So next weeks diary...

Monday:

Clare Middle RE lesson, Growing up a a Christian.
Chalkstone Community Centre Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm, for young people in schools years 5-8-FREE
HSI Annual General meeting, 7.30pm Westend Congregation Church, Haverhill. Please come and show your support, have a say in what goes on and hear news of what we have been doing and what we would like to see done.

Tuesday:

Clare Middle RE lesson, Growing up as a Christian

Wednesday:

Haverhill District Churches Together meeting

Thursday:

Hope 08 prayer meeting
Parkway Middle Rock Solid
Clare Middle RE lesson, Growing up as a Christian

Friday:

Clare Middle RE lesson, Growing up as a Christian
Parkway Middle Rock Solid
Mudflaps

Events, retreats and training...

2008-10-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Some dates for your diary...

Soul Survivor on tour, coming to Norwich Monday 27th October

http://www.soulsurvivor.com/uk/events/tour/index.html

'Hosted by Mike Pilavachi, the evenings will have the familiar Soul Survivor mix of worship, teaching and ministry plus each night either Andy Hawthorne (The Message) or Roy Crowne (YFC) will be preaching the gospel and explaining what it means to follow Jesus. If you’ve got friends who you’ve been thinking about getting along to a Christian event, then these evenings will be really accessible to them; so bring them along and we’ll see you all there!The tour will also be supporting the Hope 08 initiative, so come along to find out more... '

Youthwork the Conference Deepen

http://www.youthworkconference.co.uk/

Eastbourne:21-23

NovemberSouthport: 14-16 November

Soulnet retreat, Sherwood Forest 6-9 february 09

http://www.soulsurvivor.com/soulnet/retreat/index.html

2008-10-13T00:51:00.000-07:00

Monday 13- Friday 17 October 08

2008-10-10T06:35:00.001-07:00

Hello,

Once again we have got through a hectic week, but a very positive week with some new things in store for us.

Our first Monday night Rock Solid at the Chalkstone centre went really well, thank you for prayers and for those leaders. We had a fun night and had a good number of young people, many with no church links. We hope the following one will be as much fun and hope to see the same faces and perhaps some new faces.

After some discussions this week we hope to be launching our 4th Rock Solid club, this time another lunch time, more details to follow!

Next week:

Monday: Chalkstone Rock Solid, 6.30-7.45pm, Chalkstone Community Centre, 9-13 year olds-Free of charge.

Wednesday: Castle Hill Middle whole schools assembly.

Thursday: Hope prayer meeting

Parkway Middle Rock Solid, yrs 5 and 6

Friday: Parkway Middle Rock Solid, years 7 and 8.

Mudflaps, Kedington.

A little help goes a long way....

2008-10-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

In one of the moments when you think you can achieve very little on your own with so little to give it dawned on me how much a little goes.

The work of HSI relies on people generosity, and those small contributions go a long way to helping with the work we do. If each person contributed £1 a week each week, less for a cup of coffee In most places, we wouldn't need many people to employ a part time worker to reach more young people and share the gospel with.

Just think... 100 people giving £1 a week each week...£100 made easily and would go a long way, keeping that up in a year would make a huge contribution.

Just think whether you could help with our work, God's work and with our vision in seeking the finances to employ another worker and in so doing meeting more young people.

If you feel you can help, please phone or e-mail us with your address and we can get a form to you, otherwise please feel free to get in touch at our office in 'Next Door' Camps Rd.

Many thanks.

Monday 6-Friday 10 October 08

2008-10-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well we have had a god week, had some good Rock Solids, we have lots of new people with a good number of year 5's joining us this year-thank God for the way we continue to do His work within that school with so much openness from staff and students!

I have a busy week ahead so I would appreciate your prayers. We are also hoping to start a new youth leaders breakfast for all those in the local area involved in youth work, paid or voluntary. We will meet on a Saturday morning, eat together, pray together and talk through issues we might face in our youth work-if you have any suggestions please let us know, keep your eyes open for more news.

Monday: visit to the Eden's project, Sudbury.

Chalkstone Rock Solid, Chalkstone Community centre, 9-13 years, free entry, 6.30-7.45pm.

Tuesday: Line management meeting

Study afternoon.

Breakout meeting pm.

Wednesday: Meeting at Castle Hill

Thursday: Meeting at Castle Manor

Rock Solid Parkway Middle

Friday: Rock Solid Parkway Middle

Mudflaps, Kedington

Cafe Vibe, 14-18 years, Next Door Camps Road, open between 7.30-10pm

Monday 22-Friday 26 September 08

2008-09-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hello,

After a productive week we are now in the Next Door Office fully and have been busily preparing for the term ahead.

Here's what to be praying for next week;

Monday: Chalkstone Rock Solid leaders meeting, 6.30pm Chalkstone Community Centre.

Tuesday: Parkway Middle yr 7 assembly.

Thursday: Parkway Middle yr 5 assembly.
Rock Solid, Parkway yrs 5 and 7

Friday: Parkway Middle Rock Solid yr 6 and 8
Clare Middle Assembly
Mudflaps

Have a good week.

Have a passion for young people and God????

2008-09-16T05:58:00.001-07:00

Feel you have a heart to young people's lives changed by God's amazing love?

Maybe wanting to give some time?

Well we have many opportunities to serve the young people in Haverhill and Clare...

Chalkstone Rock Solid-Monday evenings, 6.30-9pm. We need volunteers to work with this new group communicating the gospel through games, discussions and thoughts. Be there to be a small group leaders, run games or just be there to befriend the young people.

Parkway Middle Rock Solid- Thursday and Friday lunch time (Thurs: 12.40-13:15/Fri: 12.50-13.30). Volunteers needed to be part of our lively lunch time version of Rock Solid, RS has been in Parkway for 18 months now, We use games and talks to communicate the gospel, promoting physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Want to help on either or both days?

Cafe Vibe-Our once monthly youth cafe, every second Friday of the month. Open cafe to drop in, for all Upper school young people, a social group with music and games consoles. Want to help serve drinks? Challenge a young person on a racing game? Or to do detach work chatting to young people on the streets of Haverhill?

Breakout-A lively event held once a half term for Middle school young people, with large screen games consoles, music, inflatable games, spiritual zone and cafe.

HSI Executive Committee-We meet once a month to do the administrative jobs of running the charity, we are looking for new members to serve through this practical and essential work. May be you have a gift in fundraising, secretarial work, publicity or just generally want to help steer the charity.

Feel inspired? Get in touch with us;

haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com

07875485520

HSI Office

'Next Door'

28 Camps Rd

Haverhill

Suffolk

www.haverhillschoolsinitiative.org.uk

Monday 15-Friday 19 September 08

2008-09-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I am just about finishing at Cliff College for the week, we have been studying Mission and Evangelism with a focus on the Kingdom of God. It has been a fascinating week, being able to theologise what it means to be working in and for the Kingdom of God, what it means to reflect that in my life and work. It has been a good week to start a new term of work!

Considering this has been topic of thought, I have found these song lyrics by Tim Hughes from the album 'Holding Nothing Back', I would like to encourage you to read these words and use them as your prayer, and as the prayer for HSI;

What good is it to gain the whole world, but lose your soul?
What good is it to make a sweet sound, but remain proud?
In view of God’s mercy, I offer my all

And take my life, let it be everything, all of me
Here I am, use me for Your glory
In everything I say and do, let my life honor You
Here I am living for Your glory

The road I’m on that leads nowhere without You
And the life I live that finds meaning and surrender
In view of God’s mercy, I offer my all

Seeking first the Kingdom
Seeking first the Kingdom of my Lord

With that as our prayer this week here is our what I will be doing, please pray as I return to 'normality' of work and seek to contact schools.

Monday: Exec Meeting

Wednesday: Council of reference Meeting

Thursday: Hope Prayer Meeting
Rock Solid, Parkway Middle

Friday: Rock Solid, Parkway Middle
Mudflaps, Kedington

Have a great week.

September 08-New term

2008-09-08T04:18:00.000-07:00

Hello,

And welcome back after a long, wet Summer holidays. Schools are back now in full flow and I have returned also, though this week I am doing a week study towards my Ma at Cliff College on Mission and Evangelism.

The summer has proved to be an interesting time to rest and reflect on the work I have been doing with HSI and how this new school year may bring new challenges and opportunity. With more work happening there are more opportunities to volunteer with us, we have many opportunities from day time in schools or to reaching out to the young people on the fringes of church.

We have now moved offices; we thank Samuel Ward for their kindness but thank Haverhill Methodist Church for providing us with office space in ‘Next Door’ where you will now find us.

This term has many of the usual things in store for us, Rock Solid at Parkway, Breakout (31st October), Café Vibe and we are soon to launch Rock Solid on Monday evening’s in the Chalkstone Community Centre. This will be similar to the RS group in Parkway but bigger, it will run for longer giving space to build relationships as we have a tuck shop and computer games before group discussion, talks and group games. This will be for Middle school age and be free of charge, more information to follow. If you want more information or would like to go on the rota to help please e-mail or phone us.

Please pray for the young people as they settle back in to school, for some a new school, pray also for the teachers for energy and enthusiasm. Also pray for us at HSI that we may be a fundamental part in the schools of Haverhill and Clare to be a witness of Christ’s love.

Big Day Out

2008-07-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well we have just finished at the Big Day Out on Haverhill Rec, a free event for organisations to promote themselves and with lots of free activities for children and young people. It's been a great day in the sun and a good opportunity for us.

Thank you to all those who organised the event, we hope everyone enjoyed it!

2008-07-14T01:51:00.000-07:00

Monday 14-Sunday 20 July 08

2008-07-11T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I hope you have had a good week and not got too wet!

Congratulations to Diana, our part time worker, who had her baby last week, Zachariah Rees Andre, both are doing well!

Sadly our lesson at Parkway got cancelled this week but we have had a great week at Rock Solid looking at worry...quite a big thing for those changing classes or even school.

We have Cafe Vibe tonight which will hopefully be great fun, we have a new banner so if you go past Next Door you won't miss us!

Next week looks to be busy...

Monday- Meeting with Rob Ryan
-HSI exec

Thursday-Lesson on Christian faith at Castle hill Middle, yr5's
-Rock Solid, Parkway Middle

Friday-Rock Solid, Parkway Middle
-Mudflaps

Sunday-HSI Celebration Service, celebrating 13 years of HSI in Haverhill and Clare. Service starts at 6.30pm at Haverhill Methodist Church, Camps Road.
It is an opportunity to thank God, hear about the vision for HSI and to hear from Faith Forster our guest speaker.
We hope to see you there.

Have a great weekend.

2008-07-04T01:39:00.000-07:00

Friday 11 July

7.30-10pm

Next Door, Camps Road

13-18 yrs

Monday 7-11 July 08

2008-07-04T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Sorry I didn't write last week, after a week of activities in Parkway I was exhausted. It was a great week and having the opportunity to chat with both staff and students was great...as well as all the adventures of kayaking, cycling, cooking and much more! The conversations that came out of the week gave me food for thought of some of the challenges our young people face. Hope 08 is about sharing Hope with all people and it came very clear that some young people experience very little hope in their lives.

Lets pray that the message of hope will reach all people, and especially our young people who face many issues.

A big thank you to all who helped and came along to the Hope Fun Day. We had beautiful weather and a great day meeting lots of new people. We hope you enjoyed the day!

So, this coming week...

Tuesday: Parkway Middle RE lesson on Confirmation and Baptism

Thursday: Rock Solid

Friday: Rock Solid

Cafe Vibe: Another night for those 13-18, 7.30-10pm held in the new look Next Door, Camps Road. Play Stations, Cafe, music and more. Please advertise this to anyone you know who may be interested.

Have a great weekend.

Monday 23-Saturday 28 June 08

2008-06-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I'm back from my sunny break away and perhaps not quite so pleased to be back in rainy Suffolk. However work has kept be busy and next week is set to be so busy I won't even notice the bleak weather!

I will be in Parkway Middle for the whole of next week taking part in the schools activities week. I shall spend the week with the year 7's joining in on their excursions and schools activities which is an exciting opportunity for conversations so please pray for an opening and for fun and friendship.

Other things happening next week;

Monday: Exec meeting

Wednesday: We are holding a meeting at 7pm in Next Door, Camps Road to share ideas of the Monday night Rock Solid on the Chalkstone estate which we hope to start in September. We are looking for volunteers to help out on a rota basis, or weekly. The evening will be opportunity for people to hear our vision, to ask questions and see how the group will run. There is no expectation that you are going to commit to the group, so please feel free to join us and invite anyone you know who has a heart for youth work.

Friday: in the afternoon I will be at Clare Middle taking a whole schools assembly on commitment.

Mudflaps, Kedington.

Saturday: HOPE 08 Fun Day on Haverhill Rec, 11-4. Please come along, it looks to be a great day with a football tournament, Juggler and circus skills performances and workshops, many different stalls, face painting, arts and crafts, cream teas and much much more. HSI will be there to show what we do and to be involved in the Breakout area where there will be a giant inflatable slide and more.

As you can see I have a very busy week so I would appreciate your prayers for energy levels so that I can give my best in all things!

Hope to see you at the Fun Day or Youth group meeting!

Next 2 weeks-June 08

2008-05-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hello,

After having a very busy half term schools return to normal next week and with that lots of exams for many students.

As for me, I'm taking annual leave for the first two weeks of June, if you have any urgent questions please feel free to contact the exec, any other queries will be answered when I return to the office.

Please keep praying for students taking exams, for students preparing to move up schools very soon and for our staff in the schools.

Have a good couple of weeks.

Tuesday 27-Friday 30 May 08

2008-05-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

Hello.

This week has a been a slightly sad week as Diana leaves us today to go on maternity leave, we know the kids at Rock Solid will miss her, but we wish her well.

We just want to highlight a date to put in your diary, Sunday 20th July, in the evening we will have our HSI Celebration service, celebrating 12 years of HSI and praying and praising God for all that has happened this year and all to come. It would be great if you could join us, we had a great time last year and hope for this years to be even better. Time and venue to be confirmed.

Next week is half term, so will be full of admin and planning, however please pray for Thursday the Kedington fun day where I will be helping out.

Other than that please keep praying for our young people, pray especially for those taking exams.

Enjoy the bank holiday!

Monday 12-Friday 16 May 08

2008-05-09T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful sunshine. I have just returned from a week study at Cliff so have returned feeling inspired and refreshed fro the beautiful sunny Derbyshire countryside.

Tonight we have Cafe Vibe with live music starting at 7.30-10pm for those in Upper school.

Next week is looking busy:

Tuesday- Samuel Ward, assembly, image

Wednesday- Samuel Ward, assembly, image

Methodist Women's Fellowship

Thursday- Samuel Ward, assembly, image

Rock Solid, Parkway

Friday- Rock Solid, Parkway

Mudflaps

Please keep praying for us and for the young people we work with. Enjoy the sunny weekend.

Monday 5-9 May 08

2008-05-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I trust this finds you well. We've had a really good week with lots of new faces along with the usual faces at Rock Solid, it is such an encouraging group! Please keep praying for them.

I am away next week studying so Rock Solid won't be on.

However on Friday night, 9th May is our second Cafe Vibe, aimed at Upper School young people.

Cafe Vibe is held in 'Next Door', Camps Road Haverhill

Time: 7.30-10pm (doors will not open before then).

Live music from the Verticons.

Free admission but bring money for the cafe.

Hope to see you there.

Have a great week.

Monday 28-Friday 2 April 08

2008-04-25T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hello.

We've had a good week, here's what is happening next week-

Monday-Meeting with mentor in Newmarket

Thursday-Hope prayer meeting
Rock Solid

Friday-Rock Solid
Mudflaps

Have a great week.

Breakout April 08

2008-04-22T02:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who helped or where involved in any way. Here are some photos from the evening.

(The event advertised that photos would be taken and used in the public domain, if you are unhappy with any of the images please e-mail haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com)

2008-04-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I hope you have all had a good week. we are preparing for Breakout tonight, please feel free to bring along Middle school aged young people tonight, tickets are available on the door at £2, 7.30-10pm. It looks like a good evening!!

Here is what is happening over the next week,

Tuesday: Possible assembly at Castle Hill (to be confirmed)

Wednesday: HOPE 08 meeting

Thursday: HOPE 08 prayer meeting
Please pray for the schools this day as many teachers are striking having a massive implication to the running of schools this day.

Friday: Rock Solid, Parkway Middle.
Mudflaps.

2008-04-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Photography may be taken at this event and used in the public domain.

Many thanks!

2008-04-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

A big thank you for those who helped at Cafe Vibe on Friday night, the evening went really well and we plan on having another in May, date to be confirmed, we hope to have live music! If you have any young people 13+ and ant some flyer's send us an e-mail or phone us and we will get flyer's to you.

Monday 14-Friday 18 April 08

2008-04-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I trust you have had a good week. We have been busy but are looking forward to the first Cafe Vibe tonight.

Next week is also looking busy, here's what is happening...

Monday: Youth workers summit, Cambridge
Breakout meeting
Exec meeting (pm)

Tuesday: Parkway Middle yr 7 RE, Commitment.

Thursday: Rock Solid, Parkway Middle.

Friday: Rock Solid Parkway Middle
Breakout, Haverhill Methodist,
Another Breakout event for Middle schools ages pupils, this event will run much like the last with Bouncy Castle, Sumo suits, Cafe, spiritual zone and DJ. Tickets available on the door, £2.

If you interested in helping out in schools or with Cafe Vibe or Breakout please contact me on the usual number/e-mail.

Have a great week.

2008-04-09T02:39:00.000-07:00

Rave in the Nave

2008-04-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

Rave in the Nave, 2008

Don't miss out on this years Extravaganza! Tickets are now on Sale and the early-bird discounted price is available until Friday 6th June.

Now in it's 14th year of existence, the all-important date is Friday 4th July, 2008.
The all-important Venue: Ely Cathedral. Doors open - 7:15pm.

What's in store for Rave 08? (See poster attached)

BANDS - Four Kornerz, Aorta, Empire Nation, The Austin Francis Connection & Collective
Gladiator, Rodeo Bull, Bungee Run, Pillow Fight, Football Cage, Chill Out Cafe, Circus Skills, Spirituality Zone, Youth Leader's Training Zone ...and much much more!

Be sure to round up your troops, contact the Box office, book tickets and we very much look forward to seeing you on the night!

For further info. see www.,raveinthenave.org

Contact the Box office for Tickets and your discounted tickets. Rave in the Nave, 2008

Monday 7th-Friday 11th April 08

2008-04-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Hope you have had a good Easter break.

We are back i the swing of things this week;

Tuesday: Parkway Middle , year 7 RE, commitment as a Christian

Breakout planning meeting (pm)

Thursday: Rock Solid, Parkway Middle

Friday: Parkway Middle , year 7 RE, commitment as a Christian x2

Rock Solid, Parkway Middle

Cafe Vibe Quiz night

Cafe Vibe, is a Friday night cafe we are launching this Friday for Upper School aged YP, (14-18 years). It will be free to come to, but with a coffee shop, and a relaxed environment to invite friends. The first Cafe Vibe will have a quiz night.

CAFE VIBE

Details: Friday 11th April

Time: 7.30-10pm

Venue: Next Door, Camps Road, Haverhill

(Photography may be taken at this event and used in the public domain)

Summer Camps for Young People

2008-03-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

Are you wanting to take/send your young people on a camp where they will be challenged and refreshed this summer?

Here are a couple of ideas for local and more national Christian camps...

Summer Madness, (Suffolk Christian Camps) at Sizewell Hall camp site, Leiston Suffolk.

For school years 10-13 (14 to 19 year old).

9th-16th August 2008.

Summer Madness aims to give every young person a fun holiday. It also tries to support and encourage the young Christians who attend whilst sharing the message of Christianity with those who are not yet Christians.

www.suffolkchristiancamps.org.uk

(I can recommend this camp having been as a young person and as a leader)

Soul Survivor

Week A- Stafford Show ground, 25th-29th July 2008

Week B-Bath and West Show ground, 11th-15th August 2008

Week C-Bath and West Show Ground, 16th-20th August 2008

A summer Christian festival camping, Soul Survivor is camping gone very big with thousands of young people coming together, to chill out, skate board, watch live music, go to Cafes and go to amazing sessions and Bible studies.

www.soulsurvivor.co.uk

Breakout, a Methodist Youth Camp (though not only for Methodist Churches)

Camping at Cliff College, with many activities and sessions.

11th-13th July 2008

www.breakout2008.info

Here are just a few but there are many more to be found.

Monday 17th-Thrsday 20th March 2008

2008-03-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hello.

My apologies for the lack of posts, I have had no Internet access.

We have been thrust into Easter lessons and this week we have had 4 lessons with year 5's at Chalkstone, 2 lessons with yr 5's at parkway and an assembly and Rock Solid all looking into the Easter story. It has been a great opportunity to share the true meaning of Easter, and having a captivated group at Rock Solid as we talked about the power of the cross was amazing.

This week coming is the last week before the Easter holiday's. Here's what's happening:

Tuesday: Parkway Middle yr8 assembly-Easter

Wednesday: Samuel Ward RE Conference Day

Clare Middle KS2 and KS3 assemblies-Easter

Thursday: Parkway Middle afternoon.

Please continue to pray for the young people over the Easter break that they may stay safe and that they know what Easter is really about.

Have a wonderful Easter.

'Breakout' event February 2008

2008-03-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Monday 3rd to Friday 7th March 2008

2008-02-29T02:54:00.000-08:00

Hello.

It's been a good week, had some good meetings and had some fun in school...and the week doesn't feel over quite yet. Tonight is the long awaited Breakout event for middle school aged pupils. Come along and enjoy inflatable twister, playstation games, the cafe and 'Collective'. Tickets on the door at £2, doors open at 7.30 and close at 10pm.

If you are wanting to catch up with the work of HSI I will be speaking at SOMA tomorrow night at Haverhill Methodist Church which starts at 7pm, find out more of what we do and how you can get involved.

Just to also plug the website, check out the new website at www.haverhillschoolsinitiative.org.uk it is a work in progress and it will be growing over the coming weeks, you can also access this blog from the site. we'd appreciate any comments and ideas as to how we can improve it.

Next week is a quieter week but with plenty of planning for Easter.

Please pray for Rock Solid on Thursday and Friday and Mudflaps in Friday also.

Please also pray for the general running of HSI, that our finances can grow so that more workers could be employed for the growing work, and that greater opportunities will arise in the schools.

Pray that we may seek God's will in all we do as we look forward to the vision for HSI and that our passion will keep burning strong.

Have a great week, hope to see some of you at SOMA.

Monday 25th to Friday to 29th February 2008

2008-02-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hello.

After a busy week we look forward to another. This week we were busy with assemblies and Collective joined us at Rock Solid whih was great.

This week coming looks like this:

Thursday: Rock Solid at Parkway Middle
Meeting with Rob Ryan, Youth For Christ

Friday: Rock Solid at Parkway Middle
Mudflaps
Breakout-for more information see the flyer below or contact us on normal number.

Have a great week.

2008-02-18T02:19:00.000-08:00

Breakout event is an event run by Churches Together for Middle Schools aged young people.

February 29th will present 'Collective' aswell as bungey-run, big screen play station, DJ, Cafe and Spiritual zone.

(photography will be taken at this event, we have the right to refuse any admissions)

Please advertise this event in your churches and youth groups.

2008-02-15T03:07:00.000-08:00

2008-02-15T02:51:00.000-08:00

Monday 18th to 23rd February 2008

2008-02-15T02:36:00.000-08:00

Hello!

A big thank you for those who helped with the Collective Concert last night, and a very big thank you to the Haverhill Arts Centre who made the event run so smoothly and worked so hard.

We had a great night with nearly 150 people with us. Collctive out on a great show and we had the opportunity to talk to them about love...very appropriate for the day! It was great to finally see the event happening and see so many young people having a great time.

If you were there we would love to have your feedback!

Collective will be back with us for Rock Solid at Parkway this week coming and at 'Breakout'.

So it is now the end of half term and everyone heads back to School on Monday, here's how it is looking for us...

Monday-I will only be at work Monday am.

Tuesday- HSI Exec meeting.

Thursday- Westfield Primary assembly

Rock Solid Parkway

Chalkstone Middle assembly.

Friday-Rock Solid

We thank you for your continued support and prayers, please keep praying for our young people, especially those who came to the concert last night.

2008-02-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

End of Mission and week 11th-15th February 2008

2008-02-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hello!

What a week! We had the Collective team with us in Parkway this week and it has been amazing. They have taught RE to every class in the school and some music lessons. The response has been brilliant. Personally I was amazed by the conversation the young people wanted to have over lunch and break! It was a very positive week. There were lots of games, singing, dancing and some interesting questions!

A big thank you to all the staff at Parkway for being so accomodating, a thank you to the host families who looked after the team very well and a thank you to Collective themselves and their sound techy Andy!

We've had a great response to the concert, but please keep plugging it, tickets will be availible on the door on Thursday night from 7pm for £2.50.

What else this week coming then...well it's half term so lots of planning, preparation for the concert and of course the concert itself. Please pray that God will really speak that night to all the young people and parents who will be there, and for safety.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for all the prayers for the mission week.

Mission week-4th-8th February 2008

2008-02-01T03:37:00.000-08:00

Hello! We have finally reached the point where we can say the Mission week is here! The group arrive on Sunday for our Prayer meeting-

6pm- Westend Congregational Church Haverhill

We would love to see as many people as possible there to welcome them and pray for the coming week.

Prayer is particularly important as we have just found out that one of the group has just been taken into hospital with apendicitus so won't be well enough to be here next week! Please pray they get well soon and pray for safety for the rest of the group.

Here is some information from the group-

My name is Kat, I'm the oldie in the band and also the team leader so I think that is meant to make me the most responsible!!
I'm originally from Cornwall the home of surf and sun, but spent my teenage years growing up in a town called Stafford in the midlands. I'm also the traveller in the band as I spent 6 years up North; 3yrs in Wakefield at drama school (very la de da... not!!), and 3yrs in the promised land known as Manchester being a scally and no I don't support Man U!! I'm staying with my Nan and Grandad while in Haverhill so please pray for them as they can be very anti God!!!

Hey guys, I'm Ally (but my parents call me Alison). I am 21! I was born in the small town of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire and lived there with my mum, dad, two older brothers and one older sister.
When I was 18 I moved to America! I actually got to climb a waterfall whenever I wanted. HOW COOL! After a year I moved back to England and was given this fantastic opportunity! I never thought I could actually get to spend all my time doing what I love, (dancing, singing and talking) and meeting hundreds of new people every week!

Hi - I'm Laura and I'm from Surrey but I've spent the last three years living in London where I was doing a degree in Youth Work and Ministry. I also have a Diploma in animal care because I originally wanted to be a zoo keeper so I could tell you lots of stories about working with weird and wonderful animals!
Back home I have a mum, a dad, an older brother and a pet rabbit called Ella (ahhhh...).I love being in Collective because I get to jump around on stage and sing about God and to tell all you guys how amazing he is.

The techy guy...

I'm Andy I live in Sudbury Suffolk, at the moment I'm doing a Gap year on the 'my-year out' scheme at Eden's' youth project in Sudbury. My work with collective has become part of my year out. The two things I'm most passionate about are music and youth, this holds me in good stead for both my year out and my work with collective. I've been so fortunate to work with two Christian organisation, and to grow and develop as a Christian. I am quite an easy going person,

So the week is looking exciting! please keep us in your thought and prayers and remember Sunday evening to pray and meet them.

Also remember the concert on Thursday 14th February, poster below. please advertise this to anyone you know in Middle School, tickets can be purchased on the door!

Next week I am also doing an RE Conference Day at Samuel Ward on wednesday on trade and poverty, please pray that I can be effective in telling the pupils what the Bible teaches on this topic.

Have a great week, we hope to see you Sunday.

2008-02-01T03:35:00.000-08:00

Monday 28th-Friday 1st Feb '08

2008-01-25T01:58:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Well, my weeks study at Cliff College is coming to an end, I feel tired but re-energised in mind as I come away full of ideas and inspiration after hearing from some great speakers including the well known John Drane, but also from my fellow students who are also trying to grapple with where the church is heading.

So back to work and thinking of the mission this week. please be continuing to pray for us, and for the girls in 'Collective', more information to come about them.

This week looks like this;

Monday-meeting with mentor in Newmarket

Tuesday-planning

Wednesday-planning

Thursday-Clare baptist Women's Fellowship.

Friday-Rock Solid at Parkway Middle and Mudflaps.

Sunday evening we will be having a prayer meeting, more details to follow this week-please keeping looking to read more, this will be on Sunday evening to meet 'Collective' and to pray God's blessing over the week. It would be great to see as many people there as possible to that we can encourage the group in the mission following.

Have a great week, any questions about the mission week please do feel free to get in contact with us.

Monday 14th-Friday 18th January 08

2008-01-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Hello on this very wet Friday!

Well everyone is back to School now and 2008 seems well underway.

This week I have been thinking a lot towards the mission week. The week of February 4th we are having a Christian pop group called 'Collective' coming to spend a week at Parkway Middle. Not long to go now! It's really exciting that we are going to be involved in an RE week and the group are really excited about being with us. If you want to find out more about Collective you can check out their website http://www.collectiveeastanglia.com/. If you have any questions about the week please feel free to contact us. We're praying that this week will really impact Parkway Middle. We will have a concert following the week on Valentines night at the Arts Centre inviting all the young people of Middle School Age to see Collective in concert!

Please pray for the group as they prepare lessons, assemblies and for the concert, pray for good health and wisdom from God. Please also pray for Diana and I as we prepare for the week and generate excitement in the school.

Apart from busily planning things are returning to normal. Rock Solid will be starting this week but once a week rather than twice for this term only as the sports department needs the hall.

Diary for the coming week;

Monday-HSI Exec meeting

Tuesday-Meeting about youth event.

Thursday-Hope 08 leaders prayer meeting

Friday-Rock Solid

I will be travelling to Cliff College for a week of study Friday afternoon/evening, please pray for a safe journey.

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year

2008-01-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

Happy 2008! I hope that you have all had a peaceful and restful Christmas and New Year.

As I was standing by the Thames in London on New Years Eve you could feel a sense of expectancy, as everyone cheered and watched the fireworks. It got me thinking, what are we expectant of?

At this time of year people sit making resolutions, often that won't be kept. Are we expecting God to change us and our nation in 2008?

This year is HOPE 08, a year of encouraging loving service to our community. Are we going to take action during this yer to encourage people around us to find Jesus. Are we going to spend more time praying for our communities.

This year we want to see the Church of Britain pulling together for the Kingdom. One part of HOPE 08 is that we want to see a million hours of kindness shown in the UK. If you are doing something different, especially with your youth groups, perhaps serving through car washing or gardening for local people pledge your hour by e-mailing haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com and I will post it on here to inspire others.

This year can be one where we are expectant. So as we go through 2008 I urge you top pray for the young people of Haverhill and district that their hearts my be changed and that their passion will be for Jesus.

Happy 2008!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the lack of blogs in recent weeks, I've been having problems with my internet connection.

Schools have all wrapped up and finished for the festive season. We ended with Christmas lessons and Christmas Rock Solid fun, so hopefully some pupils on Christmas morning will have a better understanding on what they are celebrating!

So prayers,

Please pray for the safety of all the young people, pray that this season may be a happy and peaceful one, for some this may be a hard time of year with family loss and splits in family so keep them in mind.

We also remember this is an important break for all school staff who by this point all deserve a well earned rest!

So until the New Year I wish you all a very merry, peaceful and happy Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Happy Christmas!

Monday 3-Friday 7 December 07

2007-11-30T02:11:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Can hardly believe that next week is December! So Christmas has started in the schools already and lesson planning on the nativity is complete! Scary how it has come round so quickly.

Here's how this coming week is looking.

Monday- Meeting with Bury Christian Youth (BCY).

Wednesday- Clare Middle yr 5 RE lesson, Nativity.
River of Life Meeting (evening)

Thursday- Two Clare RE lesson, Nativity
Rock Solid, Parkway

Friday- Rock Solid, Parkway
Mudflaps.

We are always looking for people interested in volunteering any time with us, and as Hope 08 is approaching you may be thinking about how you can serve you local community, if you interested in doing this with others please contact us for a chat.

Have a great week.

Monday 26th-30th November 07

2007-11-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hi.

I hope your week is going well. I'm looking forward to a break after a very busy couple of weeks, and having spent last week engrossed in seminars at the Youthwork the Conference in Eastbourne I'm a little tired.

The Conference was great, a good chance to meet with other youth workers and to generate some new ideas.

This Saturday we are spending the day with the Youth Alpha group at the Methodist Church as the Holy Spirit away day, please pray for the young people during this day.

SOMA is also on at the Methodist Church this Saturday evening, all welcome.

So next week is looking like;

Tuesday-KS2 assembly at Castle Hill on Commitment, our first assembly at the school.

Wednesday-Hope 08 Meeting.

In the evening I will be meeting with a group to look at developing youth work within the town in 2008.

Thursday- Rock Solid, Parkway yrs 5 & 7.

Friday- Rock Solid, Parkway yrs 6 & 8

Mudflaps, Kedington.

Monday 19th-Friday 23rd November 07

2007-11-16T02:54:00.000-08:00

Hello.

What a week, covering much of the country with a flying visit to Derbyshire earlier in the week to do a day conference at Cliff looking into possible dissertation titles (seems way too early to be thinking this far ahead!!) and this afternoon I'm off to Eastbourne for the Youthwork Conference which should be great fun, more on that next week.

So next week for me will look like this...

Tuesday-Visit to a church with Parkway yr 5's.

Thursday-Rock Solid, Parkway Middle.

Friday-Rock Solid, Parkway Middle.
Mudflaps, Kedington.

On Saturday our Youth Alpha group from the Methodist Church are having their Holy Spirit away day at Weston Colville, please pray for this time.

Have a great weekend.

Monday 12th-Friday 16th November 2007

2007-11-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hello.
I hope you all stayed safe last weekend and enjoyed the fireworks. But now we look towards Sunday with a different feel as we remember those who have died in war. We’ve been looking at this in Rock Solid this week, remembering the sacrifice many make for us and for others, but also celebrating the freedom and safety they have brought to many of us in our every day lives.

So this week coming...
Monday-I will be travelling up to Derbyshire Monday evening so please pray for a safe and easy journey. Also remember the Executive committee as they meet.

Tuesday-I have a one day study conference day at Cliff College and I will be travelling back that evening.

Wednesday-Prayer for Hope 08.

Thursday-Rock Solid at Parkway Middle, years 5 & 7.

Friday-Rock Solid at Parkway Middle, years 6 & 8.
I am travelling down to Eastbourne for Youthwork the Conference which I return from on Sunday evening. This is a great opportunity to meet with many youth workers, to get some teaching and encourage one another.

Website

2007-11-05T01:35:00.000-08:00

Hi, we are in the process of setting up a new HSI website and would like to know if there are any elements you would like to see on it. Please leave a comment or send us an e-mail if you have any ideas, we want to make this website as useful and interesting as we can. This blog will also eventually be moved over to the new website but we will update you with when that will be.

So any ideas drop us a line. Thanks.

Monday 5-Friday 9 November 07

2007-11-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!

What a week, I've been a bit under the weather so it's been a case of treading water this week and sadly I had to cancel an assembly but I did make it into Castle Hill for what can only be described as a very positive first visit with hopes to do much more there...keeps your eyes peeled for more news!

The Light parties were also a great success and it was great to see so many young people enjoying inflatable gladiator games and dance mats etc.

So coming up this week...

Monday-Line management meeting.

Tuesday-Christian Lunch at Castle Manor

Wednesday-Hope 08 meeting.

Thursday-Rock Solid yrs 5 & 7

Friday-Rock Solid yrs 6 & 8

Mudflaps.

A quieter week but a chance to catch up with planning. I hope you all have a great weekend, enjoy the fireworks and keep safe.

Monday 29-Friday 2 October/November 07

2007-10-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hello.

So it's the end of half term today and back to normal routine next week. I'll keep it short this week, here's what's happening;

Tuesday- Assembly at Parkway Middle, yr 8.

Castle Manor Christian Lunch.

Meeting at Castle Hill Middle followed by a lesson with a yr 7 class.

Thursday- Parkway Rock Solid, yrs 5 and 7.

Friday- Parkway Rock Solid, yrs 6 and 8.

This week is Halloween so please being praying for safety and understanding for the young people and children of Haverhill. Pray also for the light parties happening, the younger children's one at the Salvation Army hall and the one for young people being held at the Methodist Church.

Have a good weekend.

Monday 22-Friday 26 October 07

2007-10-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! I trust this finds you well.

What a week, another busy one with some great things going on! we had an excellent meeting with Kat and Sophie from 'Collective' who will be doing a missions week with us, it is looking like such an exciting time ahead and it only gets more exciting the more we prepare for the week!

We also had our Annual Genral Meeting, thank you to Downslade baptist church for hosting us and thanks to all of you who came.

I trekked down to London on Tuesday for the Youth For Christ leadership Tour which provides an opportunity to catch up with what is going on in YFC and with other centres from this part of the country whilst also keeping up to date with the new initiatives and resources out there.

I came away from the day feeling really positive with what we are already achieving in Haverhill and Clare but also seeing so much potential.

I have seen many of the resources that YFC provide and if any of you want any advice or help finding resources appropriate for your church groups or any schools work you may offer please do contact me and I will be more than willing to help you where I can.

a key thing to me which came from Tuesday is the aspect of Extended schools work in Haverhill. This is an initiative set up by the government which is requiring schools to open there doors from 8am-6pm and during schools holidays. The government our encouraging faith groups to offer support to schools. This got me thinking about Haverhill and how we can offer support. I am hoping to speak to our Extended Schools Officer to ask how we can help. If anyone is particularly interested in the ideas of Extended schools and you have any gifts you feel you could offer, be in sports coaching, dance, arts or help in a general after schools club I would love to hear from you, I would love to offer more support to schools but we need help from volunteers to make this more viable!

Please pray as we see how we can offer support to schools in this area.

We have also made contact with Castle Hill Middle-praise God! And we will be meeting with them after half term to see what we can do to help them. This is a true answer to prayer and we are so excited that we are now in all of the Middle and Upper Schools!

This coming week is half term, so lots of planning and praying for the coming weeks. Please keep praying for the young people in Haverhill and district, please pray that during half term that God will stay close to them, for some being at home can be a lonely place.

Please also pray for staff that they will have time to rest, also pray for churches doing holiday clubs, pray for protection and for wisdom and that they will have great fun spreading the good news.

I hope you all have a great weekend, dare I say lets pray for our England Rugby team as they represent our nation on Saturday in the World Cup Final!!! Enjoy the match if you watch it!

Monday 15-Friday 19 October 07

2007-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hello.

What a week, and it's not quite over. It's been a very busy week and I'm looking forward to relaxing tomorrow. Lessons went well at Clare though there was a mix up with one so I'll be back there next week to finish the last lesson.

This week is busy again, so here's what to be praying for...

Monday-We are meeting with Kat from 'Collective' the girl band coming to us in February for a mission week. This is our first meeting and we will be meeting with Parkway also.

Monday night is the HSI AGM at the Baptist Church.

Wednesday-We have a morning assembly at Westfield Primary.

Thursday-Final year 8 lesson at Clare Middle.

Friday-Rock Solid-there are many school trips away this week so we are planning on having one lunch time club rather than the two, for this week only!

Friday after school is mudflaps.

Have a great weekend and I hope to see some of you at the AGM on Monday.

Monday 8-Friday 12 October 07

2007-10-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I hope you have had a good week. I'm back in the flow of things after my week away. We've had a good week with clubs and assemblies. We have delayed starting Youth Alpha at Samuel ward until after the half term holidays.

On Sunday I will be visiting Church in the Field for their morning service to shed some light on my work which will be good.

Apart from that this is how the coming week is looking-
Monday-we have our first of four year 8 lessons at Clare Middle on 'Growing Up As a Christian', I did these lessons last year so I'm looking forward to them again, this time team teaching with Diana for a couple of them.
Monday evening is our Exec meeting.

Tuesday-second lesson with the year 8's in Clare.

Thursday- I have two lessons at Clare this time without Diana as she will be running Rock Solid at Parkway whilst I'm doing the lessons.

Friday- Rock Solid at Parkway and Mudflaps in Kedington.

It will be a busy week but I'm looking forward to starting off some lessons this year. Please continue to pray for us, it is very much appreciated.

Take care, have a good weekend.

Monday 1-Friday 5 October 07

2007-09-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hello!

This will just be a short one as I have just returned from the depths of Derbyshire and after a 5 hour journey in heavy traffic and rain I'm feeling pretty tired-though the week was very good, but I shall write more about that sometime next week!

Prayer requests for the things we are doing this coming week;

Tuesday-
An assembly at Parkway Middle.
Castle Manor Christian lunch, Diana is sharing her testimony.

Thursday-
An assembly at Parkway Middle.
Rock Solid at Parkway.
Samuel Ward Youth Alpha begins.

Friday-
Rock Solid at Parkway.
Mudflaps in Kedington.

Sunday-
Church visit to Church in the Field and Youth Alpha for Haverhill Methodist.

Please keep us in your prayers. Sorry for the brief blog, but I'm back with you next week so I'll be adding more!

Monday 17th-Friday 21st September 07

2007-09-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Well Diana and I are preparing for lots of work ahead of us as we return back to normality!

This week is looking good with some old things continuing and new things starting. if you want any more details on any of the things we are involved in please don't hesitate to leave a comment and we'll get back to you.

Here's how the next week is shaping up...

Sunday evening- We are running a Youth Alpha with the Methodist church for 13+ in the evening. If you know of someone who would really like to come to this please get in touch with me via haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com or phone 07875 485520. Youth Alpha is similar to the adult Alpha course but done with young people's culture in mind, it's fun and relevant and leaves space for lots of questions. Diana and her husband Jay, myself and my husband Simon will be running this. For more info on Youth Alpha check out http://uk.alpha.org/youth/

***Another Youth Alpha course will be starting at Samuel Ward College from Thursday October 4th from 2.45 until 3.25 meeting in the Conference room.***

Monday-I'm off to Newmarket Youth For Christ to meet with my mentor in the morning.

Tuesday-Castle Manor's Christian lunch starts back (note chnge of day), this is an opportunity to meet with other Christian staff and students, to encourage one another and discuss different things. We meet from 12.45.

Thursday-An assembly with the year 5's at Parkway Middle, and the start of Rock Solid again, meeting in the gym, year 5 & 7's.

Friday-Rock Solid at Parkway for years 6 & 8.

I will be heading for Cliff College to do a week of study later in the afternoon, please pray for safe travel.

There will be no update on the blog next Friday as I will be away, Rock Solid will continue with Diana whilst I am away.

Please pray for the work in the schools this year as we are taking on more and our diary is filling up, we appreciate all the support we recieve. Please encourage any young people you know who may also want to attend any of these activities.

Have a great weekend.

We're back!! September 2007

2007-09-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome back to the HSI blog. It's been a while but we have been resting up for the summer and recharging the batteries for the new school year!

Over the summer, other than resting and enjoying a good holiday, Diana and I have been plugging HSI out in Haverhill at the Big Day Out which was back in July on the Rec in Haverhill. It was a great day, if not a little windy. We met with lots of young people and families through playing the game 'The Price is Right' just for a bit of fun to encourage people over. Hopefully it will have raised awareness of what HSI does to both children and their parents.

This term we will have Rock Solid up and running very shortly in Parkway and will be back in Castle Manor for the Christian lunch. We hope to get CU's and Rock Solid's into other schools as well as lots of assemblies and lessons.

As well as all this I am going to be undertaking some part time study with Cliff College, I will be studying for an MA in Emerging Church so if you have any ideas and thoughts it would be great to hear some! Hopefully this will help me explore some of the ways in which we can engage young people, in a quite contrasting culture with the true concept of Church.

Well, more on what's happening week by week later, please keep us in your prayers and pray for the staff and children back at school now.

Take care.

Monday 25 to Friday 29 June 07

2007-06-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I hope you're not too wet! What a week!

We've been busy and madly preparing for the celebration service on Sunday. Also had the usual groups, we have been struggling with one of our Rock Solid groups on a Friday, please please pray for guidance for Diana and myself as we deal with the difficulties and pray also that the pupils do get something positive out of that group. We want everyone to feel welcome and safe in RS and at the moment it is proving hard work so we would really value your prayers.

So this coming week, my last full week before I take some holiday.

Wednesday-I will be spending the day at Parkway Middle doing a problem solving day-please pray that the rain holds off and that we have a great day full of fun.

Thursday-Rock Solid at Parkway yrs 5 & 8

Friday- Rock Solid at Parkway yrs 6 & 7.
Mudflaps.

We hope to see you on Sunday evening. Have a great weekend.

Monday 18-Friday 22 June 07

2007-06-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Hope you have had a good week. I've been busy this week which is always nice. Rock Solid has been really good this week and we're still seeing good numbers and mostly the same people each week, it's really encouraging.

Here's how the coming week is looking;
Wednesday-Castle Manor Christian lunch
Thursday-Rock Solid years 5 & 8, Parkway Middle
Meeting at Parkway Middle
Friday-Rock Solid yrs 6 & 7, Parkway Middle
Mudflaps.
Sunday-HSI Celebration service-West End Cong. Church 6pm-family worship to celebrate the work of HSI over the past 12 yrs.

I will be madly preparing for the Sunday evening. Please encourage people you know and your churches to come and support this service and to thank God in a time of praise.

Have a lovely weekend.

Monday 11-Friday15 June 07

2007-06-08T01:55:00.000-07:00

Hello.

After a busy week this coming weeks looks a little quieter. Here's what's coming up...

Wednesday-Castle Manor Christian Lunch
Thursday-Parkway Rock Solid years 5 and 8
Friday-Castle Manor Assembly-values
Parkway Rock Solid years 6 and 7

Have a lovely weekend.

2007-06-07T01:11:00.000-07:00

Monday 4th-Friday 8th June 07

2007-06-01T01:32:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I hope you have had a good bank holiday! Well it it now the end of half term and the last stretch of schools term is in front of me!

I had a great bank holiday, Simon and myself went up to Cliff College where I studied for two years to go to their Festival, we survived camping in the freezing weather and battering rain, but we had a great time going to seminars and worship events, and I have come back with some new ideas and feeling more inspired!

Over this half term as well as planning and preparing assemblies and clubs I have found time to do some reading, at present I'm reading 'Mission-shaped Youth, rethinking young people and church' by Tim Sudworth, it's a helpful book for someone in my job as I look at the place of young people in one culture and how to present church to them and get them involved!

So, on to this coming week...

Wednesday: Westfield Primary assembly-The story of Noah
Castle Manor-Christian Lunch
Thursday: Rock Solid yrs 5 & 8, Parkway Middle
Friday: Rock Solid yrs 6 & 7, Parkway Middle
Clare Middle assembly-Commitment
Mudflaps

Monday 21st-Friday 25th May 07

2007-05-18T03:08:00.000-07:00

Hello.

I am happily writing this with some sunshine...at long last! It has been a slightly quieter week with no Rock Solid but I have been into Clare giving the year 8's lessons so that's been good.

Please make a note of the change of date for the HSI Celebration service, it will now be on Sunday 24th June 2007, at 6 pm at West End Congregational Church! This will be a family friendly service so please put this date in your diaries and join us as we celebrate the years work, and the last 12 years of HSI!

Coming up this week;

Tuesday: Clare Middle, year 8 RE, Creation
Wednesday: Castle Manor Christian lunch
Thursday: Clare Middle, year 8 RE, Creation
Parkway Middle Rock Solid for years 5 & 8
Friday: Parkway Middle Rock Solid for years 6 & 7
Mudflaps.

Thank you for your continued support in prayer, please also remember those who are taking and preparing for exams at the moment and those who will be moving schools very son or leaving school.

This is the last week before half term holidays so I will be back with you in 2 weeks time, take care until then.

Beckie

Monday 14th-Friday 19th May 07

2007-05-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Hopefully this time I can get this blog up on time!! After a crazily busy week I'm looking forward to having a lazy Saturday ready for a busy Sunday in Clare. On the last blog I didn't include preaching at Clare URC on Sunday morning so please pray for that.

We successfully split Rock Solid over two lunches this week, having nearly 30 on Thursday and about 40 today so the split didn't put too many off and we had plenty of new comers! Praise God.

This coming week is looking like this so far...

Tuesday: Year 8 RE on creation at Clare Middle.
Wednesday: Castle Manor Christian lunch.
Thursday: Year 8 RE on creation at Clare Middle.
Friday: Mudflaps.

There is no Rock Solid due to SATS, please remember the young people as they take these exams throughout next week.

I want to thank you for those of you who keep checking this regularly and remembering the work of HSI in your prayers, we value it so much. Remember to pass this web site on to anyone who may be interested!

Have a lovely weekend.

Tuesday 8th-Friday11th May 2007

2007-05-10T01:47:00.000-07:00

Hi. Sorry that there was no blog last week and that this didn’t go up on Friday it was a combination of illness followed by computer troubles!! However, been back with it this week and very busy. Two weeks ago we started Rock Solid at Parkway and were astonished to have over 40 kids in one classroom, to allow for more room last week we were in the gym…however we got nearly 80 kids there this week! How amazing! It’s become so big that we are splitting it up over 2 lunch times to accommodate everyone! Praise God!
Last week also saw the start of the Christian Union at Castle Manor which too was a good time to meet with some of the students and staff.

So this week looks a little like this…

Tuesday: Parkway Middle assembly to years 7 and 8…Big Questions.
Wednesday: Westfield Primary assembly.
Castle Manor Christian lunch
Thursday: Parkway Rock Solid years 5and 8
Friday: Parkway Rock Solid year 6 and 7
Mudflaps.
Sunday: Clare Baptist

Monday 23-Friday 27 April 07

2007-04-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm back, after a lovely Easter and a refreshing break and now the term is beckoning me into the schools!

Over the past two weeks I have really had the opportunity to catch up with paper work and planning and spend some good time thinking about praying about the term ahead with new challenges of lunch time groups.

This week we have two groups starting, on Tuesday is the start of Castle Manor's lunch time group, from 12:30, please keep this time in your prayers. Also on Thursday is the start of the Rock Solid at Parkway Middle, starting at 12:45. What an exciting and promising week ahead, I have already heard that kids have been asking at Parkway when it's going to start! First week is looking at things 'extreme' and how big and eternal God is! Extreme relays and extreme skittles are all part of the fun! This is such a promising club and prayer is vital to keep it real, so please pray for the children, Diana (a volunteer leader) and myself.

I am also looking ahead to a HSI Celebration. We have decided to spend a Saturday evening celebrating the 12 yrs of HSI and to give thanks for those years of work and particularly for all that God's enabled in the past school year! We hope this will be a great evening, so please please keep Saturday 23rd June in your diaries...you really don't want to miss out! Time's and venue will be announced in due course!

I hope that is enough to keep you praying for us, we value everyone's support and prayer for HSI.

Have a great and sunny weekend.

Monday 26-Friday 30 March 07

2007-03-23T02:19:00.000-07:00

Hello!

What a change we have had, the first day of Spring has now come and gone with snow!! Don't we live in a funny world!!

Had a good week though been battling a little with bugs going round, I'd really appreciate your prayers, I've been feeling quite under the weather and I have a busy week coming! Apart from that I had an excellent assembly yesterday with yrs 5 and 6 at Parkway which was certainly loud and entertaining!! The kids showed a lot of interest in Rock Solid too which is very promising!

So this coming week...

Tuesday: Mentoring at Chalkstone Middle.

Wednesday: Samuel Ward yr11 RE day, I'll be spending the morning speaking to 8 groups about my testimony so each pupils hears why I am a Christian and what that means to my life! Great opportunity!
I also have a meeting with Rob Ryan from Youth For Christ to just see what's going on and fill in YFC about what's happening in HSI.

Friday: Mudflaps.

I'll have lots of planning to finalise bits for next term so it's going to be a good week.

I won't be blogging again til after Easter as I am taking holiday from Monday 2nd April-Thursday 5th but will be away over the bank holiday too. So for now and far ahead have a very special Easter! And I'll be back for an exciting term ahead!

Monday 19-23 March 07

2007-03-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Been a good week, and have particularly enjoyed the sunny weather!

So the look for next week:

Wednesday: mentoring followed later for a panel meeting about the progress of the mentoring.

Thursday: Yr 6 assembly at Parkway Middle on an Easter theme, more races to eat Cream Eggs!

Friday: Mudflaps.

Though it looks a quiet week I am planning some things for Samuel Ward as I'm involved in an RE day soon and I have some planning to be doing for the up and coming Rock Solid.

Hopefully be a good and productive week. Have a great weekend.

Monday 12-Friday 16 March 07

2007-03-09T04:36:00.000-08:00

Hello.

So next week is looking a little like this;

Tuesday; starting with an assembly on an Easter theme for yrs 7 and 8 at Parkway so that I too can promote the soon to be running Rock Solid.

Also starting a Christian Union at Castle Manor that lunch time, the first one so hopefully we can see where it will go and what they want from it.

I have the last yr5 RE lesson on Stories that afternoon at Chalkstone too.

Friday; A group of students from Castle Manor are going to be looking around the Methodist Church to help them understand about churches which I will be joining them with before going to Mudflaps in Kedington.

Please pray for contact, I have been really struggling to get contact with some schools, lots of promised calls back and not receiving any so please pray that I'll be able to speak to those I really need to speak to, especially at Castle Hill. Thank you.

Have a good weekend.

Monday 5-Friday 9 March 07

2007-03-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Been a busy week and I can finally say I have now moved in to our new office at Samuel Ward! It's warmer and brighter and I can learn German while I work (I'm next to the German class rooms!!). It's been hard work moving boxes around but finally we're here. So that is one mission complete!

This week has been good all round, having had some really successful lesson with the year 5's at Chalkstone, they have been so much fun!
I have also just had a meeting at Parkway Middle and have some exciting news which I have been waiting for. We have a Rock Solid group...the first of many I hope. it will start from the summer term to give time for publicity etc. It will be a lunch time club at the school for anyone who wants to join me in my silly games and a short talk. Rock Solid material is great and I really pray the room will be so big that the club has to move rooms or be put on twice a week! I do need help though and if you or anyone you know might want to sit in on the club...you don't have to get involved if you don't want, I would really appreciate an extra body on a Thursday lunch for only half an hour. E-mail me if you're interested. haverhillschoolsinitiative@gmail.com

Next week I hope to be a part of Castle Manor's 6th form RE day on Tuesday, though still waiting to hear more about this.

I also have mentoring at Chalkstone.

Other than that I will be planning for assemblies to promote RS and planning the club!

Please do gt in touch if you want to get involved with RS. Have a great weekend.

Sunday 25th-Friday 2nd March '07

2007-02-23T02:02:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Hoping you have had a good week. I have been busy planning lessons this week as well as my final yr 10 lesson on Prejudice at Castle Manor which went well.

Yesterday I was at a meeting with Church leaders about HOPE 08, a year of mission across the UK, if you've not heard about it I urge you to take a look at the website for it, http://www.hope08.com/

So this week coming! On Sunday I will be 'promoting' if that's the best word the work of HSI at Haverhill Methodist Church to make people aware of what's happening, especially now Matt has left and I arrived. I'll be working round the churches over the coming months.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are full of lessons at Chalkstone Middle with the yr 5's as we look at Stories and I will be teaching them about the Easter Story so please pray for an openness and enjoyment in the lesson!

Hopefully the big office move is happening next week also, I have a little office at Samuel Ward which is now ready for me.

A busy week which I hope will be great fun not only for me but for those in the classes too!

Have a great week.

Monday 19th-Friday 24th February 07

2007-02-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I trust you have had a good week. Half term has been busy, started off with a Valentine's talk at the Methodist Church on Sunday morning and one lucky couple won a meal out for 2 in Haverhill after winning my quiz..I do hope they enjoyed their Pot Noodle!

Just had the final morning of holiday club, 'Going Bananas' at Haverhill Methodist church. It's been a really good few days and the children left wanting more which always feels like a positive sign to me. We had about 40-50 kids each morning, we jetted off to banana Island where the kids sang songs, played games and learnt about Jamima, Zacheaus and Noah! Hopefully some will come along to the family service on Sunday morning.

So next week back to schools, I will be back to my mentoring in Chalkstone Middle and writing lessons for the year 5 RE lessons.
I have the final year 10 RE lesson at Castle Manor on Wednesday morning.

So as term gets going again, plans will keep taking shape. Hope you have a good weekend.

Half term week

2007-02-09T03:23:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the snow! I always find it amusing that the UK can't cope with a couple of inches of snow!

Had a good week this week. Had three lessons at Castle Manor and after a very bad start I was thanking God because a girl approached me afterwards asking for a Bible! Certainly something to be thankful for!

Also had a few extra things going on and after a meeting with the Haverhill Echo I discovered an article on HSI and me on Thursday though they managed to completely omit the word 'Christianity' from the whole thing!!

Next week, well as you may know it's half term, so I have a series of lessons on the story of Easter at Chalkstone middle after the holidays so I will be planning that as well as being involved in the Haverhill Methodist holiday club, 'Going Bananas'. So looks like a fun week. Please be praying for the club which runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.

I hope you have a fun weekend! I will be watching the rugby, so we need no more snow!!!!!!

Monday 5th-Friday 9th February 07

2007-02-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hello.

After having a manic week I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. The mentoring is continuing to go well and this morning I had a great assembly and the first of the RE lessons appeared to go well.

This following week looks a little like this...
Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have the same RE lesson with yr 10's at Castle Manor to get round the whole year group.
Wednesday I also have the mentoring at Chalkstone.
We've also found out we'll be moving into the new office at Samuel Ward after half term holidays so that is an answer to prayers.

I trust you have had a good week and enjoy the weekend.

Tuesday 30th-Friday 2nd February 07

2007-01-30T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hello.
I hope you have had a good weekend. This week is looking busy as term is well underway so here's how this week is looking for your prayers.

Wednesday: I have my weekly mentoring session at Chalkstone Middle which is followed by a Youth Services meeting to see how this work is going and how we can improve it.

Thursday: I'm in Clare for the Churches Together meeting in the evening.

Friday: I'm starting the morning off with an assembly on Commitment (yes more baked beans and jelly) with the whole school at Castle Manor followed by a year 10 RE lesson on 'Prejudice' which is the first of five lessons in Castle Manor. These are the first lessons and the first assembly I have taken at Castle Manor so please pray that it is received well and opens up great discussions.

I hope you have a good week.

Monday 22-Friday 26th January '07

2007-01-19T04:31:00.000-08:00

Hello.

Hope you have had a good week so far. Just a quick update and to give you a few things to be praying about for next week.

It's been a bit of a slow week but I had a great time at Chalkstone Middle on Monday and have started to mentor a student there which is a great opportunity, please be praying for this work as it is so important.

I have also been to a meeting about Haverhill Methodist Church's holiday club 'Going Banana's' which is taking place in half term which I'm getting involved in.

With it being a little quiet at the moment it has given me a great opportunity to reflect on what I gained from the conference and to look forward to this term. Already I have been in conversation with Samuel Ward about setting up an after school Christian Union this term, hopefully we can set up something more definite next week...so keep that in your prayers.

I have also been looking into how I can set up a Rock Solid club at Parkway Middle, this will be a fun club run at lunch times, which again will hopefully start after half term, however I am praying that someone may be able to volunteer their help to assist me with this one lunch time a week...any ideas please please let me know.

I'm really excited about these opportunities, it will deepen the work so that relationships can be built outside of the classroom environment so that the youth can really explore what it is to be a Christian! With all this I still have a lesson to plan and an assembly for Castle Manor and I am hoping to organise a fund raising quiz night...so watch this space.

Next week will be more of the planning of these developments as well as more of the mentoring, I won't be around on the Friday 26th and Monday 29th as I'm taking time out after last week.

Please keep praying for the young people and the schools, prayer is more powerful than we can understand! Have a great weekend.

Youth For Christ Staff Conference

2007-01-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hello, and a slightly belated New Year!

I just came back from North Wales on Friday after having spent a week in a Castle for the Youth For Christ Staff conference. It was amazing week....the food was great, plenty of it! I got loads out of the week too, there were some great seminars with lots of information for me to take away and think about what more we can do in Haverhill and Clare to move HSI on! It was great to link with other people in similar situations, especially other new staff and others working on their own.

Hopefully 2007 will be a great year for HSI and we can move the work on and reach more children and young people making a real impact on their lives!!

This term is starting slightly slowly, I have a meeting at Chalkstone this Monday morning about some mentoring, so praying that will go well.

Hope you have all had a great Christmas and New Year and are feeling well in the swing of things now!

Last week of School Term

2006-12-15T03:07:00.000-08:00

Hi again.

Been a busy week. Had a great final lesson with the Yr7's at Parkway Middle on Monday, unfortunatly they had to cancel Tuesday's assembly. Meeting with Youth Services was great, I'm going to be doing some one-to-one work with one of the kids which is a really positive thing I believe that we can work with the Youth Services. I ended up going to Parkway Middle Christmas Concert which was superb! And I've ended the week with some great meetings looking ahead to the coming year with some lesson and assemblies planned.

Next week is the last week of term, they finish on Tuesday so the only thing booked in is spending the afternoon at Parkway Middle on the last day of term to join in the fun. After that the weeks up to Christmas will be planning the coming lessons.

I won't add any blogs now until the New Year so Merry Christmas, have a good one and I'll see you all in 2007!

The work of Monday 11th-Friday 15th 06

2006-12-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hi after a busy week I'm just writing a quick update for the coming week...

Monday: Meeting with Kathie my mentor in the morning and a Yr7 RE lesson on 'Growing Up as a Christian' at Parkway Middle, then the HSI Exec meeting in the evening.

Tuesday: Yr7 assembly at Parkway, 'A Christmas Gift' theme.

Wednesday: A meeting with Youth Services.

Friday: Meeting with RE Co-ordinator at Castle Manor.

Things are quietening off now due to the Christmas activities in school so I will be looking forward to preparing things for the New Year.

Have a good weekend.

The work of Monday 4th-Friday 8th December '06

2006-12-03T02:51:00.000-08:00

Hello again.

This week coming is fairly busy again...here's what's happening;

Monday I'm back to KEGS with BCY in Bury for another Yr9 Christmas lesson with James Tennant.

Tuesday I've got a lesson with the Yr7 RE group talking about 'Growing Up as a Christian', another chance to share my testimony and answer questions.

Thursday I'm back in Parkway with another Yr7 RE lesson.

Friday I have a late morning lesson at Parkway again with Yr7 RE then I have to rush over to Clare Middle to do a Christmas assembly.

Hopefully it will be another great week especially with the lessons so please pray for an openness from the young people and staff.

Have a good week.