inspire summer 11

INSPIRE SUMMER 2011

www.covyfc.org

02476 550257

[OUT]WORK[ED]

Registered Charity No. 1069852

The Coventry YFC Newsletter

A small glimpse into the vast Download the ministry & current www.covnet.org.uk activities of CYFC... monthly CYFC podcast

Young people prove that they can ‘BE the difference’ in Willenhall & across Coventry

STEPPING [ OUT ] WITH ACTS OF KINDNESS We don’t often hear stories of young people performing great acts of service in their local communities, but all that changed over the May halfterm schools break, as young people from churches across Coventry were out in force, attempting to “BE the difference” by serving some of the most needy areas of our city and breaking down social barriers to show that, in Coventry, faith in God is back on the agenda.

Working in partnership with the Cathedral and churches throughout Coventry, our recent “outworked” initiative gave young people from local

church youth groups the opportunity to put their faith into action by being a part of three exciting community based social action projects or "missions", designed to leave a positive citywide legacy and reconnect local churches with local people in their communities.

Ranging from litter picking and free car washing to organised tea-dances and culminating in a huge city

centre clean-up project on the final day, “outworked” was a huge success and saw many young people discovering that social action and mission go hand in hand and isn’t as scary as they initially thought.

Read on for more [out]work[ed] stories...

[OUT]WORK[ED] STORIES Canley Adventures...

We had a great time in Canley doing Outworked! We had a total of 14 young people from Kidz Klub Canley, and ‘The House’ youth groups from Westwood Church. We managed to cram in an actionpacked schedule over the two days.

On the Wednesday we cleaned graffiti and picked up 1366 pieces of litter – this became a highly competitive team activity!

also performed at a retirement home, singing worship songs, giving testimonies and praying for the old people. We also organised a Funday at the local basketball court in the afternoon where the young people led games, crafts and face painting for other children in the area. More than 50 children and parents came along and it was such an honour to see the young people lead the activities – the adults were able to stand back and watch it all happen!

On the Thursday, we continued with the above activities and

Willenhall Tales...

Q: What do you get when you mix nine faith-filled young people & a bunch of leaders with a marquee and some paint?

A: Willenhall Community Tea Dance.

Anna Scott - Kidz Klub, Canley

Over two amazing days young people had the chance to prepare for and run a tea dance, right in the centre of Willenhall.

We created a HUGE banner, baked cakes, made bunting and…most importantly maybe, went out into the community and invited people to the event.

During the project, stories of conversations young people had had with the community began to emerge and drive the project forward.

The sun shone and the marquee got put up successfully, as everything started to

Fun Run 2011

For the 3rd year running (get it? - ‘running’?) the CYFC team took part in the Coventry Fun Run during June, and how can we describe the year’s event other than wet? Very wet. But still, a team of brave CYFC supporters and staff took part

We had a wonderful time - not only in serving the local community but also in seeing the young people enjoy it tremendously, displaying great leadership skills.

in this event in order to raise some funds and have some fun. Finishing the race in just under an hour we all swiftly went home for some warmth and dry clothes! Thank you to all those who ran on behalf of CYFC and all those who supported them as they battled the elements on that wet Sunday morning!!

fall into place. People arrived and were greeted by a sea of blue t-shirted young people bearing cakes and drinks.

Musicians provided entertainment and people danced. God was at work!

Boy was it fun! We had people running up and down the street with a megaphone, drawing people in. We got people asking questions. Why were we doing this? The ‘barrier’ between young people and older members of the community was slowly vanishing as Willenhall began to see potential in young people, and praised the work they were doing. Can’t wait for next year!

Amy Rowe

Would you consider supporting the work of Coventry Youth for Christ at an auction...

You can now choose to support CYFC through your own

personal eBay account. Every time you sell

your ‘stuff’ on eBay you can opt to donate anything from 10-100% of the proceeds to charity - and now that charity can be CYFC. Check our website for more details.

CALLING ALL YOUNG LEADERS....

Do you know a young person who has leadership potential?

CYFC is committed to developing the leadership gifting of young people in local churches across Coventry, and the [in]still[ed] weekend residential is a great opportunity to do just that - a chance for young people to develop leadership skills, be equipped for life ‘outside the youth group’ and develop a heart for operating in godly leadership patterns.

If you know of a young person (14-19yrs) who is keen to (or whom you believe should) explore or develop their leadership potential we would love you to encourage (and ideally sponsor) them to be a part of the [in]still[ed] weekend 2011.

Based at residential centre in Ashbourne, and running between the evening of Friday 16th and Sunday 18th September, at a cost of just £65 (inc. accommodation & food), we believe that this will be a significant time for all those involved.

Places are limited (subject to a simple online (or printable) application form), and are available on a first come, first served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to apply online, visit www.covyfc.org/instilled closing date for applications: Monday, July 25th

1 young people in Coventry schools, Hoodie Week 201 Supporting churches and community projects 17-24 july hooded garment and raising some Hoodie Week is great practical Last year we launched our first Hoodie Week. A week not only for raising much needed finance for the work of Coventry YFC across the city but also a week to re-look at the stereotypes we associate with this item of clothing and ‘redressing’ the hoodie with a positive image.

This year CYFC Hoodie Week will run from Sunday 17th July to Sunday 24th of July and we are encouraging churches, youth groups and communities to partner with us by donning a

money for Coventry YFC. One way of doing this in your church would be to have a ‘Hoodie Week champion’ who is responsible for telling people about Hoodie Week and collecting any donations. You could display a Hoodie Week poster or show our promotional video (available online or through the CYFC office)in your school, church, youth group or office and hold a collection, you could simply wear a hoodie to work, school, college or a church meeting and donate £1 or more.

way to step out of your normal comfort ‘clothes’ zone, refusing to join the world in judging the character and attitude of young people just by their outward appearance, while at the same time raising the profile and some much needed cash for Coventry YFC Jo Wilson - a hoodie loving Youth Worker

covyfc.org/hoodieweek

Amy’s Super Cool Volunteer Update...

Wow. What a year it’s been so far! Over the past few months I have met some amazing young people through lunch clubs and lessons and have been beaten at many a game of Uno on a daily basis! In particular, it’s been great to see some of the year 7’s grow in confidence as they settle into Secondary School, forming new friendship groups and having new experiences. As well as this, I loved being on team for [out]work[ed]. For me, the opportunity to get young people making a difference on the Willenhall Community Tea Dance project was something I will never forget. The Church’s reaction was brilliant and now they even want the Tea Dance to be a regular event! I can’t wait to be involved in similar projects happening throughout the coming year!

Amy volunteers with CYFC on a full-time basis, supporting our work in local schools

Introducing our New Chairperson

Keith Neville

New and exciting things are happening here in Coventry through the on-going work of CYFC. And these new and exciting things are backed up by a team of volunteers and trustees who stand alongside the staff team. A number of new trustees have recently joined and a lot of work on governance has been undertaken to equip YFC to move forward, though there is always room for more to come on board. We are working hard to establish the financial security of the mission work and to see new ground broken in enabling churches to engage with young people in their schools & communities. As chair I get to see a lot of what the team is up to…and yes it is exciting! New innovations like ‘outworked’ and developing events like ‘uplifted’ are all bringing new and exciting opportunities to see lives changed. And with more new things in the pipeline this is an exciting time… so please keep the support coming and do feel free to drop into the new CYFC offices at Queen’s Road to find out more!

PRAYER DIARY

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

[out]work[ed]

Finance

[in]still[ed] (see page 2)

Please pray for the young people and churches who were involved with this project - especially for the continued relationship built between those churches and their local communities. Also pray for the team as they make plans for a [out]work[ed] 2012.

As we approach the start of CYFC’s new financial year, please pray that we would find new and increased financial support to develop our capacity for mission throughout the coming year. Please also consider your own investment into our work with young people.

Please pray for this event as young people from across Coventry come together to explore issues of Godly leadership & personal spirituality. Especially pray for those leaving their youth groups this month as they move on to university.