inspire Summer 09

INSPIRE SUMMER 2009

www.covyfc.org

02476 550257

The Coventry YFC Newsletter A small glimpse into the vast ministry & current activities of CYFC...

“I love wearing my shirt. It makes me feel like I belong to something.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE LIFE AT A TIME...

Meet Sam. “I love playing football”, he says, “it keeps us healthy and we get to meet new people”.

Sam is one of over 60 young people that have come through our detached football project in Wyken.

Sam is one of the original group of young people that worked with us to set up this project.

“This football team is better than others I have been to, the atmosphere on the pitch is better.

The coach is really encouraging and fun, he doesn’t shout at us, he makes fair decisions and he doesn’t have favourites, everyone gets the same chance.”

This is the response of Sam’s friends as well; they love coming to play football. This project gives us a unique opportunity to build

relationships with young people and give them a safe space to improve their skills and learn to respect one another on and off the pitch.

Coach John Wilson is one of our committed volunteers and an FA qualified coach; “I really enjoy coaching these guys, it is great to be able to apply God’s values and principles through football. For me, seeing how young people improve in confidence in their playing and interactions with team mates on and off the pitch, through the encouragement they get and the attitudes of players changing is amazing. I want to see God changing young people’s attitudes towards life on and off the pitch, and this has been really evident. They are learning to respect authority without it being thrust upon them and learning to control their

responses in different situations. I know that God has invested a lot in me and it is great to be able to give this back to Him while investing in these young people.”

This project is currently funded by the Youth Opportunities Fund; the young people applied for this grant and used it to buy equipment and football kit. “I love wearing my shirt”, says Sam, “It makes me feel like I belong to something and I have more confidence and play better when I am wearing it.”

WESTWOOD FOCUS...

Exploring Christianity...

Jo Key teaching an ExploRE lesson

During the Spring term, we were given an amazing opportunity to run a series of ‘Basic Christianity’ lessons in Westwood Secondary School. We used the ‘ExploRE’ Lesson Plans which have been specifically designed to meet National Curriculum guidelines and are a great resource to take into schools. We used them for 6 weekly sessions with two year 7 classes. The classes were of different ability and therefore we needed to take a different teaching approach with each of

them. The ExploRE course is jam packed with ideas, interactive activities, DVD clips and various material for the young people which meant that it was easy to adapt a lesson for different classes.

The content was great. It was clear from beginning to end what the lessons were about, and although it taught the gospel in a simple way, it didn't water it down.

The classes were full of brilliant questions and discussion as a result, not only with the young people, but also with teachers.

The ExploRE course is a great way to teach the Christian faith in a simple, direct and challenging way.

For more information on the ExploRE course, visit www.exploreforschools.co.uk or visit www.yfc.co.uk to browse many other resources available to churches & schools

Sarah Pirwany.

Youth worker, CYFC

Detached work update...

love through actions just as Jesus project regarding negative did. behaviours and financial needs, but Kingdom values through actions, how Empowering people is something that our vision remains and the support of difficult can that be? The Youth Cafe CYFC continue to do, CYFC has in Canley was born out of a vision to not just in the young but continued to inspire meet young people where they were in all, through their us to regroup in rather than where we wanted them. prayer, fellowship and order to tackle The Youth Cafe has had an amazing encouragement along these challenges year, so many young people being with training etc. head on. inspired to believe in themselves, As with all things there enjoying times with their peers in a Tracey smith are challenges to safe welcoming environment without overcome - times are Youth & Community any hidden agenda, showing God’s Worker, Canley currently difficult for the Youth cafe

Easter Open Doors Recently, loads of exciting things have been happening in Westwood School that have really come out of a strong partnership between ourselves as a local church and the Coventry YFC team, who have supported our vision to see our city changed by the reality and goodness of God.

Following the ‘ExploRE’ course in Westwood School, in the last week of term before the Easter holidays, we brought both of the classes we’d been working with to Westwood Church for an 'Easter Encounter Experience'.

With the help of YFC team members, we turned the church into an Easter journey across 5 rotating zones all based on the message and themes of Easter.

Each class came along for an hour and really engaged with the interactive activities as they

reflected on The Cross & Forgiveness, Healing, Hope, The Last Supper, and a Prayer Art wall with simply the question Jesus asked: "What do you want me to do for you?"

There was a real sense that for the some of the pupils it had been a significant opportunity to discover a God who cares for and loves them.

Later on this term, we're going to be running an activities week called 'Slum Survivor' in the school, where we'll be helping the students to engage with issues of poverty, suffering, the poor and ultimately where God is for the 1 billion people who spend their whole lives living in slums.

Gareth Irvine - Westwood Church, Coventry, & Chaplain at Westwood School

How could you spend £2 per week?

Buy a cup of coffee? Eat a Happy Meal? Buy a magazine? Donate to Coventry YFC? We are looking to build a team of 100 people who will commit to donating £2 per week to support the ongoing work of Coventry YFC as we seek to engage with young people through work in schools, churches and detached youth projects around the city.

For just £2 per week (or £10 per month) you could play a key role in supporting new youth ventures, allowing us to spend more time in local schools, working with disadvantaged young people, supporting the role of local churches and taking the Good News relevantly to young people in Coventry.

Could

YOU be one of the 100?

If so, simply fill in the form on the back page and tick the “sign me up” box

Meet our new volunteer...

My name is Katie Rowell and I'm 19 years old. I am currently on a gap year and have just started volunteering with Coventry Youth For Christ. I had planned to serve God in Brazil this year but God had other plans for me and made it clear I should stay in Coventry. This meant I started looking for ways to serve God here. I wanted to share the love of Jesus with young people in Coventry and see God glorified by people coming into His Kingdom. Getting involved with Youth For Christ seemed to be a great way of doing that.

I hope and pray that I will be really useful in serving God with Youth For Christ.

Katie volunteers with CYFC on a part time basis, supporting our work in local schools

Director’s Note...

Jon Mills

I find it hard to believe that I’ve already been in post for 9 months, and what a ride it’s been so far. It’s been great getting to know our diverse and extremely talented team of both paid and voluntary staff, and to ExploRE what God is calling us to do in this next stage of CYFC’s ministry.

One thing I am sure of is that our mission to “take the good news relevantly to EVERY young person in Coventry” is only possible if we commit to investing in schools, equipping the church and engaging with local communities.

As you’ll see from our Westwood updates, this ‘hub’ of work in the school, church & community is making a real difference. Our hope is to develop these hubs of work in other areas around Coventry. If this is something that resonates with you, please do get in touch with us. Together, we can reach EVERY young person in Coventry.

PRAYER DIARY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

Finance Please pray that we would continue to receive the financial support that we need to sustain & develop our work with young people.

Partnerships Pray for our relationships with local churches and other statutory organisations - that CYFC would have a sustainable impact in Coventry

Youth Camp Pray for all the young people & leaders attending Coventry Youth Camp this month - that God would move powerfully in the lives of all involved.

Schools Pray that we would have opportunities to continue investing in the lives of students in Coventry schools whilst strengthening our links with staff members.

An evening to celebrate & update on all things CYFC

Esquires Coffee House, Coventry Transport Museum Monday June 29th, 7pm. come along

buy a coffee more info:

meet the team

024 7655 0257

or

Elim Church, Coventry. CV1 3GR *except August

Bring a Friend!!

info@covyfc.org

Coventry Youth Camp

your new City-wide youth event 1st Saturday of every* month, 7-9pm

inc. live music

This year’s camp is going to be bigger & better than ever!! Limited places, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Dates: 24th - 29th August ’09

Cost: £110

check the CYFC website or facebook group for details.

How you can help 1

through supportive prayer - see our ‘items for prayer’ section

If you are a UK tax payer, please send this part to us with any gift.

2

sign up for Inspire Online at www.covyfc.org

STANDING ORDER AUTHORITY

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Please treat this gift and all gifts I make to Coventry Youth For Christ from this date onwards as Gift Aid donations.

make a gift using this form

To make a regular gift, please send this part too. Address it to your bank but send it to us.

GIFT AID DECLARATION

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Please pay to: ‘Coventry Youth For Christ’ Acc.00194264 Code 12-13-11 Bank of Scotland Birmingham Business Centre 55 Temple Row Birmingham B2 5LS

The sum of £ __________________ on the 8th Day of _____________________ 2009 and

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monthly/quarterly/annually* thereafter from my account no. _________________________

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