Residentials
Wednesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time
Saint Henry
First Reading:Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27
The readings from the lectionary for today (at the time of composing) are appropriate for this subject and you may wish to prayerfully consider this for both the experience of journey, but also that of retreat and sacred space.
Last Sunday I found myself in the north of the diocese in Bedfordshire. I found myself with young people and leaders from Liddington village (Big Up!) at the Chellington Centre. You can find more about Chellington here. There was food, fun and faith and the theme was the Kingdom of God is like....
Residentials are one of the times when Living God's Love really comes alive for young people and adults who accompany them. It is my experience in a residential context that it can be a dynamic catalyst for youth work and ministry opportunities and life-changing moments. This also has its challenges and tensions too. It is the opportunity to look at the issues of independence, inter-dependence and dependence working through the dynamics of relationships with both other people and also God. Can I commend to you our diocesan resources on residentials and how to have a positive and critically safe one.
A book that I would recommend as an introduction is by Nick Harding, published by Kevin Mayhew a few years ago called 'Take Them Away'. May I commend this to you, our diocesan guidelines and resources which you can find here in how to have a safe and positive event.
So whether you are thinking of taking young people away at the various residential opportunities over the summer months and in the various weekends in the future, begin to plan prayerfully and seek out your team's availability particularly those who are bi-vocational (those that work elsewhere and volunteer for the church) and encourage you to make it happen.
Remember also you do not have to do a weekender but might just go somewhere for the day for fun or maybe a retreat-like experience outside of your normal location. This helps particularly for those who are struggling with resources in the current economic climate to think of an outside-the-norm experience of your group's rhythm and life together.
A key memory occurred for me some 30 years ago when I was a tweenager on one of my first residentials. It was where both Christ and I found each other and the journey with its twists and turns. It was as a result of this residential that I had one of the most life-changing invitations that has continued to this day. The invitation that comes from the one who says 'Follow Me' still needs to go out to those in our spheres of influence and more so by action than word, is a great way in.
Be good to know how your various times away go and some of the issues that you have experienced with your various groups. Maybe you might even wish to share these in our Musing section of our website.
Travel Well
Yours in Christ
Dean
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Short links
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/residentials
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/891