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

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

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.

Monday 28th-Friday 1st Feb '08

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

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

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!