GLEN09

Posted Tuesday 11 August 2009 ~ 2:52pm

Paddy is a wizard at Glen

On Wednesday 5th August, I spent the day at the SEC youth camp at Glenalmond School – Glen09. I had been invited to take part in their day. I went to see the four kids from Holy Trinity: Patrick, Mairi, Tenatswa and Rebecca who were there and to talk about next week when Thinkwell was going. It was also significant that I went the day the Higher results were out, so they were all glad to talk about that. There were 47 kids at this camp and over 50 next week; numbers have grown from under 40 a few years ago to over 90 now. They were split into 4 groups and there were about 20 leaders, so a ratio of almost 2:1. I joined a group in the morning, discussing the Millennium Goals _ that was their topic for the week – (on Wednesday it was about reducing preventable diseases – esp. Malaria and AIDS.) Then we had a long walk in the forest from about 11:30 to 3:30.

There was a Harry Potter theme to the week [they had had a murder mystery the night before when all the leaders dressed up as HP characters and fed them clues to help the game forward – sounded like fun – they were still talking about it]. So, on the walk, we had to find clues, do appropriate tasks, avoid biting spiders, centaurs, dementors and the Dark Lord himself. We carried two full buckets of water, constructed a banner, made a stretcher out of two poles and a couple of windcheaters , then carried someone on it for miles! We had to make decisions about who got helped and who didn’t – pragmatic and often with no right and wrong. [As well as the Harry Potter theme the leaders told me they would be reminding the kids about people in Central and Southern Africa who have to carry water for miles, provide transport for sick relatives and make decisions about how practical it was for a poor family to travel miles seeking help for someone who was very ill. It seemed a very useful and poignant way of getting some of the material across.] At 4 pm I joined in a game of rounders; then we ate – a BBQ; then one group (who had been getting into little huddles all day) went to prepare to lead us in worship. They did a couple of sketches, and a Blind Date to press home our responsibility for those who have little choice regarding a healthy lifestyle. After the act of worship they released me (8:30) to go home.

Impressions:
• The group was aged 12 to 18 years and they all got on very well. Of course some had special friends, the girls stuck together in clumps – as did the boys; but the older ones were really good at looking after and including the younger ones.
• A number of leaders and kids go over and over. There were some of leaders who had been going since they were kids and had ‘graduated’ to leading and helping. We should tell this to all who are considering going. And they keep in touch with one another during the year.
• One of them said to me (and I got a similar impression from a few others), “If it wasn’t for Glen, I wouldn’t be in a church.”

I had a talk with +Mark Strange, who said that in the past the bishops were complaining he was starting an 8th diocese. (Mark is now bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness to the great delight of all at Glen) This made me think that if the church doesn’t include young people – value them – listen to them – give them space to give to us, to bring their worship to us instead of always be receiving what we have on offer – space to develop as themselves, allowing them to have their say in their own language - then we will lose them.

I enjoyed my day at Glenalmond. I recommend the camp to all who are 12-18 and to all in SEC to support it (I will repeat this to our vestry) and I pray that we will find ways to encourage these kids.

Thinking of the gospel texts the following Sunday, [John 6: 41-51], I stopped on the 3rd paragraph.

Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.

We need to recognize that our young people are “drawn by the Father” and are as much a part of the church as any of us are and that they too, “shall be taught by God.” –
Let’s listen to them.

Maurice

Categories: Groups, Youth groups