l

YFC Film Team's Percussion Video

2007-03-15T10:42:00.001Z

http://www.youtube.com/yfcfilmteam

How to transform your community!

2007-03-14T22:11:00.001Z

Gg" height="431" alt="Gg" src="http://innocentdrinks.typepad.com/innocent_drinks/images/gg.jpg" width="350" border="0">

Seeing as it's now spring it's the perfect time to be thinking about gardening. If you don't have a garden/window box/allotment/terracotta pot then why not try some guerrilla gardening*? Described as 'a floral assault on neglected public spaces', it's definitely got something going for it. Read more here...

*YFC in no way condones illict acts of horticulture.

Stop the traffik

2007-03-14T12:53:00.001Z

http://5x5m.com/files/stop_the_traffik/

Kevin Robert's Credo

2007-03-13T23:08:00.001Z

1. Ready. Fire! Aim.
2. If it ain’t broke ... Break it!
3. Hire crazies.
4. Ask dumb questions.
5. Pursue failure.
6. Lead, follow ... or get out of the way!
7. Spread confusion.
8. Ditch your office.
9. Read odd stuff.
10. Avoid moderation!

Evangelical Alliance Introduces New Charity Commission Guidance

2007-03-12T22:17:00.001Z

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) is introducing a publication of a new Charity Commission guidance relating to the requirement for every charity to show that it is for the public benefit.

by Gretta Curtis

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) is introducing a publication of a new Charity Commission guidance relating to the requirement for every charity to show that it is for the public benefit.
The EA has worked closely with the Charity Commission, leading to the publication of its consultation and draft guidance relating to the principles of public benefit.
For the first time, the Charities Act 2006 requires all new and existing charities to demonstrate that they provide clear public benefit.
No legal presumption will any longer automatically qualify anybody.
Don Horrocks, the Evangelical Alliance’s Head of Public Affairs, said: “While there is certainly a new challenge involved for churches and religious charities, it is a challenge that should be welcomed.
“There should be nothing to fear from the switch away from presumption of public benefit for religion to a requirement to demonstrate it.
“After all, if it cannot be shown that religious groups are benefiting the public it is reasonable to question why they should receive public tax concessions.”
He added that the EA has been assured that the burden of proof will not be troublesome, since there is ready acceptance that religion generally contributes to social and spiritual wellbeing.
Assurances have also been given that churches and others will not be forced to undertake community activities that religious activities open to the public will be deemed to confer public benefit, and that mission and evangelistic organisations can also expect to qualify without difficulty.
David Jones, Chief Executive of Alliance member organisation Stewardship, said: “Religious charities can be reassured that the propagation and teaching of faith principles will continue to be regarded as beneficial, provided it is open to and directed towards the public as a whole.
“We now have an excellent opportunity to put our case to the Charity Commission by responding to its consultation, although together with the Alliance we have been working closely with them to ensure that in its first draft form the guidance appears in a broadly acceptable format.
“We shall be responding to the consultation and would urge all religious charitable bodies to do the same.”

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/evangelical.alliance.introduces.new.charity.commission.guidance/9890.htm

VideoJug

2007-03-11T19:04:00.001Z

This is a fun little website that can be useful.

http://www.videojug.com/

Does YFC conform to this or challenge it?

2007-03-09T22:22:00.001Z

“The Bottleneck Is at the Top of the Bottle”

“Where are you likely to find people with the least diversity of experience, the largest investment in the past, and the greatest reverence for industry dogma:

At the top!”

— Gary Hamel/Harvard Business Review

Great Quote

2007-03-09T22:19:00.001Z

We become
who we hang out with

A Friend is a Woman

2007-03-09T22:09:00.001Z

"A friend is loyal, kind, true ... and probably a woman." An academic study based on 10 years of data. Conclusion: "Friendship between women seems to be fundamentally different from friendship between men." "Friendship is much deeper and more moral for a woman. Women tend to keep their friends through thick and thin, across geography and social mobility. Men, on the other hand, are more fickle with their relationships and seem more interested in asking 'What's in it for me?'"

The Certificate Moment

2007-03-01T16:34:00.001Z

The Certificate Moment
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Last night, the 28th Feb we launched Ivybridge YFC, the 3rd new centre this year. Please pray for Elis, Helen and the team.

The New Building

2007-02-26T15:16:00.001Z

You can get an update on where we are with the building is available here. http://www.yfc.co.uk/building/

This weeks links 26 Feb

2007-02-26T08:27:00.000Z

HMRC grant for those helping people with benefits advice
The Bonnie Bird Choreographers Fund
Sampa to set up your website or blogger to set up your blog.
The world as you have never seen it before at worldmapper.
Illustrations for your talks.
Exam funnies to make you laugh!

Silence

2007-02-25T17:37:00.001Z

Michael Casey

“Solitude and silence give us the opportunity to close out many external voices that claim our immediate attention and are trying to shape our choices and our future. We need to learn how to keep our need for noise and entertainment to a minimum as a first step to a more intense spiritual life. If this is successful, we can begin to struggle against a greater hindrance, the inner noise that comes from deep within us: old resentments, fantasies, ambitions as well as various forms of self-programming. This source of disturbance is harder to still, but any progress we make will be liberating.

We can sometimes find silence in a crowded place, but most often we need to be imaginative in making opportunities for ourselves to enjoy our own interior space: a quiet seat in a garden, walking the dog, painting a fence, listening to music, long-distance driving, ironing, weeding a flowerbed, reflective reading. Many recreational activities and manual tasks can become rich inner experiences if we learn to resist the temptation to fill them with noise and distraction …”

Read the whole article (for a limited time) here .

New Building Latest Shots

2007-02-23T23:53:00.001Z

New Building 230207 003
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Hey, it is looking better now.

Foundations 21 - Discipleship Material

2007-02-22T10:48:00.001Z

The new way to do discipleship

What is Foundations21?

Foundations21 is:

web-based - using your own computer
for new and experienced Christians who want to be more effective disciples of Christ
a combination of personal exploration and interaction with other people
a mix of Bible exploration, web-based activities and personal application

The Foundations21 website includes:

Over 3500 web pages of discipling material
Links to over 7000 external websites to go deeper
Daily Bible reading
Thought for the day
Maps and Cyclopaedia
Bulletin boards
Chat room and much more

Foundations21 is a web-based discipleship programme that will take about a year to initial completion. But, with multiple pathways through and regular up-dates, it can last you a lifetime.

To take part you need a computer with a connection to the internet – either dial-up or (ideally) broadband – and a DVD-ROM. You will then meet once a month in a small group for mutual support.

Foundations21 is divided into twelve ‘rooms’ each introduced by a video. It encourages you to choose one or more friends to be your discipleship mentor(s), who work with you as you progress through the rooms. You have a choice of learning styles suited to different personalities – offering four different pathways through the material.

Take a more detailed look at Foundations21 and find out how it could work for you:
www.foundations21.com

East Norfolk YFC Launch

2007-02-21T22:08:00.001Z

PICT3450
Originally uploaded by Mark Tuma.

The moment the certificate was handed over to Craig Millward, the Chair of the Trustees of East Norfolk YFC

Want to know what young people are like?

2007-02-20T20:11:00.001Z

The results of a major online survey commissioned by the Scout Association of a nationally representative sample of 1,004, 13 – 18 year olds can be found at:

http://www.nfpsynergy.net/downloads/Jan_2007_What_Makes_Young_People_Thrive_Final_Report.pdf.

Global Day of Prayer

2007-02-20T19:22:00.001Z

For the latest on GDOP: www.christiantoday.com/prayer

By the end of today we would have prayed for One Thousand, one Hundred and fifty-two Hours non stop!! Join today www.londonprayer.net/2007

I encourage you as I say to myself; let’s spend more time PRAYING for our CITIES and the World!!

Technorati tags: London, Prayer

East Norfolk YFC

2007-02-20T19:20:00.001Z

On the 17th February we launched East Norfolk Youth for Christ. This was a great evening with 120 people present.

They are the 64th YFC Centre.

"Friends and Heroes"

2007-02-19T18:07:00.001Z

"Friends and Heroes" is an action-and-adventure animation story which introduces stories from the Old and New Testaments to ages 6-10.

You can discover more about Friends and Heroes on the web site at www.friendsandheroes.com.

The first Series of 13 episodes is to be broadcast on the CBBC channel on weekdays 12 - 23 March! The output is largely targeted at schools - Stapleford Centre are working to ensure that at the time of broadcast there will be free lesson plans and pupil worksheets so that teachers will be able to use these programmes as part of the national syllabi for all the countries in the British Isles.

The programmes are not branded as "religious", so that they are accessible to the widest possible audience - whatever their faith. If broadcast is successful, the BBC might be prepared to run the show on more popular Terrestrial TV Channels - and might also consider showing Series Two and Series Three when they are completed in 2008 and 2009.

This weeks links

2007-02-19T16:04:00.000Z

The Percy Bilton Trust £500 - £2000. Deadline 5th May
Shaftsbury Society resources
Youth Pastor.com for free youth ministry resources
free video clips on the theme of lapsed time
YMWomen.com

and this weeks funny is here

Confusion

2007-02-14T23:21:00.001Z

Harry S. Truman

"If you can't convince them, confuse them."

The Synoptic Problem in 8 easy steps

2007-02-13T20:41:00.001Z

Ever been confused by the Synoptic Problem, here it is in 8 easy steps. Click here

Now, there's a thought

2007-02-13T20:36:00.001Z

Wright notes that:

“…Jesus believed himself called to do and be things which, in the traditions to which he fell heir, only Israel’s God, YHWH, was to do and be. I think he held this belief both with passionate and firm conviction and with the knowledge that he could be making a terrible, lunatic mistake. I do not think this in any way downplays the signals of transcendence within the Gospel narratives. It is, I believe, consonant both with a full and high Christology and with the recognition that Jesus was a human figure…”

TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC

2007-02-09T20:20:00.001Z

A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.
by Gretta Curtis

A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.
Set in the first century AD, the UK-produced Friends and Heroes, is the epic animated tale of two young people - Macky and Portia - whose idealism and friendship leads them across the ancient world.
Through Macky and Portia, the Friends and Heroes series brings stories of the Old and New Testament to a new, worldwide generation of children in the twenty-first century, whatever their faith or background.
The 13 episodes will be broadcast on weekdays between March 12 and 23, sometimes twice a day, starting at 12 noon and 12.30pm, or in single episodes starting at 12.30pm. The series will form part of the BBC's factual output on CBBC which is also used by schools.

Looks like fun.

From Christian Today

TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC
TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC

Ritual

2007-02-09T20:04:00.001Z

"Ritual is necessary for us to know anything." Ken Kesey

Operation Noah

2007-02-09T18:19:00.001Z

This is worthwhile and worth making known as widely as possible.

http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah/

YFC Launch in Windermere

2007-02-07T12:30:00.001Z

YFC Launch - 06
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

OK, the colour is all out but what a great turnout in the School at South Lakes YFC launch.

South Lakes Launch

2007-02-07T12:28:00.001Z

YFC Launch - 02
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

The moment the certificate was passed over!

Anti Slavery

2007-02-06T20:50:00.001Z

Slavery in Sudan

Fight for Freedom 1807-2007 campaign continues to gather momentum as we highlight contemporary forms of slavery that affect millions of people worldwide. This month we focus on slavery in Sudan, following our presentation of the 2006 Anti-Slavery Award to James Aguer for his efforts to combat such abuses in this country. Please click here to write to the Sudanese Government and the Speaker of the House in the USA to raise your concerns. Do send us copies of any replies you receive.

You can read background information on slavery in Sudan here.

UK announcement on Council of Europe Trafficking Convention:

After sustained campaigning by Anti-Slavery International and other human rights groups, the UK Government has finally announced that it will sign this crucial Convention. It is the only international law that provides guaranteed minimum standards of protection for trafficked people. Many thanks to campaigners who have written to the Home Office and to the Prime Minister about this since the Convention opened for signature in 2005. It is now crucial that the Government takes all necessary steps to ratify and implement the Convention. You can contact Tony Blair about this here.

Bicentenary events in February and March

Tuesday 27 February

Slavery in the 21st century

7pm

The event will start with a screening of Anti-Slavery International's 15-minute film, Living Hell: slavery today, which highlights contemporary slavery in Niger and the Philippines. Presentations and discussion on the variety and scale of contemporary forms of slavery and what needs to be done to effectively eradicate slavery today.

Speakers:

Dr Bridget Anderson, senior researcher and programme head, Centre on Migration Policy and Society (COMPAS)

Mike Kaye, communications manager, Anti-Slavery International

Government minister (tbc)

Chaired by Kate Allen, director, Amnesty International UK

March of the Abolitionists: 1-25 March 2007

The first of two walks will begin in Hull and reach Westminster on 24 March, joining with the Walk of Witness (see below). The walk will be 200 miles long -- a mile for each year since the act was passed -- and provides opportunities to learn about and reflect upon the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition, as well as the continuing impact of the Trade on society today, and the realities of modern day slavery. For more information and to take part in the walk visit www.lifelineexpedition.co.uk or contact David Pott on +44 (0)20 8694 2220.

Walk of Witness

The Church of England is inviting thousands of people from across the country to join the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for an historic event in London to mark the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The Archbishops will lead the Walk of Witness on Saturday 24 March from Whitehall and Clapham, through parts of the capital to culminate in a large-scale act of worship in Kennington Park, South London. Walkers will be invited to sign Anti-Slavery International's Declaration as they reach the park. For more information and to register for the walk visit www.makingourmark.org.uk or call +44 (0)870 321 2005.

Bicentenary commemorative concert

After the Walk of Witness has finished, an evening concert will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. The concert is at 7:30pm on Saturday 24 March. Justin Pearson will conduct the Locrian Ensemble with the Tallis Chamber Choir, in aid of and supported by Anti-Slavery International. To book tickets click here or call the box office on +44 (0)20 7839 8362.

Details of all these and many more events can be found on our campaign website, www.antislavery.org/2007 under 'events'.

Christian Groups to Demonstrate Against Trident

2007-02-06T16:48:00.001Z

An anti-Trident demonstration has been organised in London for 24 February, with Christians also being invited to join a service prior to the commencement of the protest.

Hinde Street Methodist Church has prepared an ecumenical service on the morning of 24 February to help unify believers prior to the demonstration.

“Trident is a major concern for many Christians,” says Anthea Cox, Methodist Church Coordinating Secretary, “and we want to create a space for Christians to share their concerns about the renewal of Trident.”

“The demonstration is a wider event bringing together many groups. We want to enable people to put it in a Christian context by coming together for a short service before we go to join the gathering demonstration.

“It will also hopefully provide a practical benefit as people will have come from all over the country, and Hinde Street will offer a chance to pause and reflect before going out to make their voices heard in calling on the Government not to replace Trident.”

Over the Christmas period, the Methodist Church distributed the booklet Peace in Your Pocket to hundreds of bars, health clubs and play centres. The booklet addressed peace issues and invited readers to consider how we can all play a part in building peace.

The United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church recently produced a resource, Peacemaking: a Christian Vocation, which also calls upon the churches to engage with issues of peace and justice.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have spoken out frequently against the replacement of Trident, and are supporting the goals of the demonstration on 24 February.

Cox said: “we all seek peace in our own lives, and we also want to see it in the world. Issues like Trident are complex, and different people at the demonstration will have their own reasons for opposing its replacement.

“But Christians will bring their own faith to their reasoning on nuclear weapons, and so we invite all to Hinde Street to be together in prayer and worship.”

Graham Sparkes of the Baptist Union said, “The Christian gospel is all about peacemaking. Our calling demands that we resist the continuing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, however risky that path may be. Our churches have spoken clearly against the replacement of Trident. I hope many will make their voices heard as we seek to witness for peace in our violent world.”

Hinde Street Methodist Church in central London will host the ecumenical service at 10:30 on 24 February.

YFC New Building

2007-02-06T10:05:00.001Z

Our New Offices

‘After a bit of a difficult start, work is getting on well at the site, with the foundations being laid as can be seen

This weeks links

2007-02-05T15:01:00.000Z

Vocalise grants for singing projects from choirs to rappers!
Sunscribe to The Bible Society's weekly newswatch
Damaris study guides for films and charts
Life 2 the max resources
Next YFC Induction day is Tuesday 27th Feb. contact Chris
Great funny for a residential ... the human slingshot

Thomas Merton

2007-02-04T20:19:00.001Z

“In order to become myself I must cease to be what I always thought I wanted to be.”

Anthony of Egypt

2007-02-04T20:07:00.001Z

“The one who sits in solitude and quiet has escaped from three wars, hearing, speaking and seeing. Yet against one thing they shall continually battle, that is his own heart.”

The Unchaining Word

2007-02-03T22:53:00.000Z

This FREE Bible Society discussion resource has been specially designed to help churches prepare for the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in March. It mixes history, creative discussion materials, biblical perspectives and information about modern-day slavery and shows how the Bible inspired the abolitionists and was misused by slavery supporters.

The Unchaining Word complements the Set All Free and Stop the Traffik initiatives and is ideal for churches grappling with questions of responding to the Bible and the legacy of slavery past and present.

The Walk is a 30-minute Bible Society film dramatising the inner and outer journey of William Wilberforce in the fight to end the slave trade. Revisit this site soon for further information.

Download the UNCHAINING WORD BOOKLET (1.19 MB PDF) or order a FREE printed booklet of this material (while stocks last) by emailing SUPPORTER.MATERIALS@BIBLESOCIETY.ORG.UK Please include your name and address.

Centering Prayer

2007-02-03T20:39:00.000Z

Contemplative Outreach
Reaching Out to the World

This nine minute video is separated into three parts for your viewing convenience.

What is Centering Prayer
	Hear from Father Keating and others who practice this form of contemplation; what it is, why they do it, and what they get out of it.	Audio/Video Audio only
What is Contemplative Outreach
	It has been called an organism rather than an organization. Here is an overview of Contemplative Outreach.	Audio/Video Audio only
How Centering Prayer Can Help You
	Hear what Contemplative Outreach and centering prayer can offer you now and into the future.	Audio/Video Audio only

Women in YFC

2007-01-31T23:38:00.000Z

We have reached a landmark with 19 of our Centre Directors Female. I think this is great news.

KS3 & 4 Slavery resource for Schools

2007-01-31T10:54:00.000Z

CMS in conjunction with the Citizenship Foundation has
produced a FREE resource for citizenship, history and RE
(KS3/KS4). Downloadable material and audio-visual support
is also available at www.cms-uk.org/endingslavery
The resource contains seven active lessons emphasising the
role and motivations played by citizens from all sectors of
society and the slaves themselves in refusing to endure any
longer the evil slave trade.
Commendations include:
• Ending Slavery – 'A clear and helpful teaching tool. A
welcomed contribution. Highly recommended.' Lassell Hylton, Chair, Black
History Foundation
• Ending Slavery has any number of positive features to recommend itself to
secondary teachers … It is the lessons relating to the campaigning tactics of
the Anti-Slavery International movement where this resource makes its most
distinctive contribution.' Peter Brett, historian and lecturer in citizenship, Saint
Martin's College.
For further information contact: Don Rowe don.rowe@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk
or Anita Matthews anita.matthews@cms-uk

Birmingham Slavery event

2007-01-31T10:45:00.000Z

200 Since the act to abolish slavery and we have stamps

2007-01-31T10:42:00.000Z

The Matrix Conference

2007-01-30T16:01:00.000Z

Details are now out for the Matrix Youthworker conference.

PRESS RELEASE

Immediate attention

Freedom to flourish – the third MATRIX conference for Christian youthworkers will tackle controversial issues such as “youthworker: career or calling?” and “Equal opportunities; are they the death of Christian youthwork?”

The conference will also mark 2007 as the bi-centenary of the Abolition Of The Slave Trade Act by asking the question – how do we continue to express freedom in Christ today?

The keynote speakers; Ann Holt of the Bible Society, James Lawrence of CPAS, Jason Gardner of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity and Iain Hoskins of the Centre for Youth Ministry will explore themes about the roles of Youthworkers as theologians, leaders, missionaries and prophets.

Other contributors include Adrian Plass, Bishop Roger Sainsbury, and Ali Bullivent.

The Matrix will be held at High Leigh Conference Centre, from the 5^th to 7^th of March 2007. Bookings are looking healthy and the organisers are expecting the conference to be fully booked again. But there are still spaces so it’s not too late to contact the organisers and secure your place. For further info contact matrix@amaze.org.uk.

Dr Sam Richards, Chair of the Matrix Planning Group said “The previous conferences have shown that full time Christian Youthworkers appreciated this time for learning, challenge and contemplation.”

Notes for the Editor:

The Matrix conference is organised by many of the leading Christian youth organisations in the country, including

AMAZE

Baptist Union of Great Britain,

Centre for Youth Ministry

Church of England,

Churches Together in England,

CYFA

Frontier Youth Trust

MAYC

United Reformed Churches

YMCA

YWAM

Youth for Christ

The Matrix Conference is endorsed by

Catholic Youth Services

Church Army

Moravian Church

Oasis

Oxford Youth Works

Spectrum,

The planning group is chaired by Dr Sam Richards from the Centre for Youth Ministry, Oxford

This will be the third Matrix conference.

The conference is open to part-time or full-time Christian youth workers no matter where they work – in Churches, for youth agencies, or in the wider voluntary or statutory sectors.

Interviews are available. In the first instance please contact Claire or Tim Lea by email at matrix@amaze.org.uk

weekly links

2007-01-25T09:33:00.000Z

Big Lottery supporting Christian youth work projects
Paul Poulton - possible band resource
talking donkey - for all your schools work needs
unusual suspects great opportunity for young creatives
baby funny

Calling International

2007-01-25T08:12:00.000Z

If you find you have to call international for pleasure or work it is worth checking here

You can get the best rates and providers.

This weeks links

2007-01-16T08:28:00.000Z

Connecting Communities Plus Grants - between £6 and £12 000 for commnity cohesion
training for fundraising
How to download from U Tube
Wingclips - good source of video clips
A source for song lyrics
2 funnies:
the email
the chicken dance

Bible Maps on Google now

2007-01-14T19:16:00.001Z

"BibleMap.org integrates Google Maps and the ESV text to create an interactive Bible atlas.

You browse to a chapter in the Bible, and all the place names are links. Click one of the names to go that place on the map. Then click the pushpin to show some background information on the place."

More on servanthood from Tom Peters

2007-01-12T21:38:00.000Z

"Serve to Lead" is the first lecture at Sandhurst [Royal Military Academy]. It comes as something of a shock to most officer cadets who are expecting to be put into a position of authority. They will be, but it's not quite the deal most expect. The right to lead in a military or civilian environment has to be earned. Officers and Business leaders have the same role. To ensure each member of the value creating community are the best they can be. That's a service.

Soldiers make a covenant with the country they serve. In exchange for their preparedness to sacrifice their lives to safeguard the nation's best interests, soldiers (and their families) are honoured and cared for. Primarily by their Officers and secondly by the nation in providing materially for them.

View the origional here

Servanthood

2007-01-12T21:29:00.001Z

Of Service!

Ask.
Daily.

"What did I specifically do to be of service to my group? Was I fair & truly a 'servant'?"

Think on this (exactly!) for 5–10 minutes before you go to work.

As I reflect on the past 3, 6, 12 months, can I answer the following in a positive manner?* (*Be specific!) That is:

1. Do those served grow as persons?
2. Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?

Tom Peters

Mark Hedley

2007-01-12T17:50:00.001Z

Mark Hedley
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Mark Hedley in the sculpture room at staff conference

New Staff 2007

2007-01-12T17:49:00.001Z

New Staff
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Some of the new staff at this years staff conference.

Winkey Pratney

2007-01-12T17:48:00.001Z

Pratney
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

One of the speakers from this years Staff Conference

Loans that change lives

2007-01-06T22:06:00.000Z

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

We partner with organizations all over the world

Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, our partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.

http://www.kiva.org/

Compact

2007-01-06T21:51:00.000Z

You have to check this out. Now here is a new year idea!

Compact

YFC Christmas Party

2006-12-19T22:44:00.000Z

IMG_4165
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Pete in mountains

2006-12-17T21:50:00.000Z

Pete in mountains
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

2 years since Pete McCahon died. A huge loss to us all.

The New Office is started

2006-12-14T15:00:00.000Z

The New Office is started
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

The ground is being levelled for the new office.

2006-12-13T08:25:00.000Z

I was impressed with this simple leaflet on risk assessment. It also has a form to fill in if that helps you.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf

Sort it out

2006-12-05T10:28:00.000Z

I wanted to let you know about the ‘sort-it’ campaign that has just been launched. This is a campaign about personal debt - which is growing by £1 million every four minutes. A film will be distributed on the Internet to drive people to the website - the site also provides tools to help people take control of their finances.

This is about doing rather than just talking. The ‘sort-it’ campaign is not a political campaign. It’s about getting people to think about their own social responsibilities. I don’t believe that in opposition all you can do is talk about what you might do in Government. That’s why we've championed the Young Adult Trust; that’s why Conservative candidates are creating their own local social action projects around the country - and that’s why we’ve launched the ‘sort-it’ campaign.

‘Sort-it’ is a website that will campaign on a wide range of issues. Its aim is to inspire people to take personal responsibility for making change happen, and it will provide tips and tools for people to do so - locally, nationally and sometimes internationally.

I really hope that this website will play a big part in helping young people in this country tackle the serious problem of personal debt.

To see the site please go to www.sort-it.co.uk

this weeks links

2006-11-14T12:59:00.000Z

co-op dividend grant
MP3 Blog
Theos
sendspace file storage
funny baptism video

The Forgiveness Project

2006-11-09T14:30:00.000Z

Interesting project and resource on forgiveness.

Check it out here.

http://www.theforgivenessproject.com

This weeks links:

2006-11-07T19:20:00.000Z

children in need grant
Miracles of Jesus DVD teaching rsource
recycle cartridges 1
recycle cartridges 2
recycle mobile phones
Oxygen News Blog
Genarator Blog

This is very funny and worth a look

2006-11-02T22:40:00.000Z

http://www.thechurchyouknow.com/

This weeks mail links

2006-10-30T13:09:00.000Z

The Henry Smith Charity
a website for info and support of young carers:
Enterprise Week (13-19 Nov)resources
the generator blog
Resource for bible study or sermons.
Parables in cinema.

2 funnies:
the anti-Mac funny!
Store Wars

The Dublin Marathon and YFC

2006-10-30T08:04:00.000Z

Here we go, 7.30 am and ready to run!

This is a really interesting outreach

2006-10-10T22:04:00.000+01:00

Check out www.lyfe.org.uk

Great Quote

2006-10-10T16:41:00.000+01:00

Don’t promise anything only celebrate what you do…

From a Website...

2006-10-10T15:48:00.000+01:00

You have a Father who loves you more than any other human being on this planet ever has or ever will.

Nothing you can do today will make God love you any more, and nothing you can do today will make God love you any less.

Jesus wants to free us from the preoccupation of getting from God so that we can simply live in the reality of what God gives.

As long as your personal well-being depends on someone else’s actions, you will manipulate them.

Christian community is a gift that God gives not something human effort can produce.

Community is not based on need, but on the joy of sharing relationship with fellow-travelers.

When you realize sin doesn’t make you worthless it just makes you lost, you will know God’s compassion for people caught in sin, not contempt for them.

God wants to demonstrate his love for the world in the naturalness of our lives living transformed and that is far more powerful than anything we can say.

Stand Up Against Poverty

2006-09-06T19:53:00.000+01:00

Churches Toolkit

Ideas for Churches to get involved in the Global Month of Action

14 September – 17 October
Stand Up Against Poverty!

In 2005, churches around the UK took part in the Make Poverty History campaign as part of their mission to live out love of God and neighbour.

This autumn the Global Month of Action will see campaigners in over 80 countries around the world joined together again by the white band, the symbol of the global fight to end poverty. They will be calling for governments to eradicate poverty, dramatically lessen inequality, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals through:

Trade justice
A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
Debt cancellation
Public accountability, just governance and the fulfillment of human rights

Once again, the campaign offers Christians a chance to stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters around the world, and to renew our commitment to facing the challenge of loving our neighbours as ourselves.

To help your church take part, you can

use some of the worship materials in this Toolkit for a “Stand Up” service and participate in the record-breaking “Stand Up” event on 15th October
plan a “white band” event for your congregation,
encourage your congregation to write your MP or take part in email or postcard actions,
take part in large events -- either Christian Aid’s “The Beat Goes On,” which launches the month in London on September 14th (see www.christian-aid.org for details) or other events held around the country.

A list of possible actions is in the fourth section of the Chuches Toolkit, and you can find still more in the general Toolkit.

The campaign particularly invites churches to join in the “Stand Up Against Poverty” world record attempt on October 15th/16th. This is an attempt to get as many people as possible to take a symbolic “Stand” against poverty. The more people who participate, the clearer the message to governments will be that poverty is still an issue, and we are still concerned.

The world record attempt will be held in a 24 hour window from 11:00am BST on Sunday 15 October to 11:00am BST on Monday 16 October. This gives church congregations an ideal opportunity to combine prayer and action – bringing the issues before God and taking a symbolic action to show our concern and resolve, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world.

The Churches Toolkit contains
1. Information about taking part in the “Stand Up” World Record Event
2. Worship materials for a “Stand Up Against Poverty” service
3. Stories for sermon illustrations and church magazine articles
4. Suggestions for actions in the service and beyond

General Toolkit home page

Labanon from an Arab Perspective

2006-07-24T11:23:00.000+01:00

With so much sloppy christian thinking about Lebanon it is worth reading this http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/129/42.0.html

Remember Lebanon Youth for Christ and the staff and families there.

http://www.yfci.org/yfci/country.php?id=130

Pants game

2006-07-21T18:17:00.000+01:00

IMG_3636
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Roy was really pleased to be on stage doing the pants game thanks to D2! A great dignified moment!

The Chartering moment for Peninsula YFC

2006-07-21T18:15:00.000+01:00

IMG_3638
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

A great moment when the Centre is chartered!

Peninsula YFC Launch

2006-07-21T18:14:00.000+01:00

IMG_3640
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Peninsula YFC launch 20th July 2006

Arms to ploughshares

2006-07-21T17:44:00.000+01:00

This is a great idea for the person that has everything.

swords into ploughshares

Peace is paying dividends in Sierra Leone. The same civil war that depleted the country of tools and work is now providing ample raw material for recovery: weapons. Enterprising blacksmiths and metal workers convert them into farm implements so that a Kalashnikov becomes hoes and axe heads and a rocket launcher transforms into pickaxes, sickles and even school bells.
The indisputable heavyweight champ is a tank (or a heavy duty 16 wheeler) that can provide a year's work for 5 blacksmiths, turning it into 3,000 items vital to equip a farming village of 100 families. Jobs, tools, agriculture. It isn't everyday that what you long for comes true.

Click here for more

Set all free

2006-07-12T11:56:00.000+01:00

set all free is not celebrating the end of slavery or the slave trade but commemorating it as unfinished business.

Inderjit Bhogal

June's fundraising idea

2006-06-28T15:55:00.000+01:00

Approach the local Christian bookshop, Wesley Owen etc and speak with the manager. Arrange to have them put a YFC leaflet in every bag that is given out. Make sure you have a good, clear generic leaflet with an obvious response mechanism so people can follow through on what they have read about.

You may want to offer a reciprocal arrangement where you place a bookshop advert in your newsletter or put an insert in.

This is a broadcasting approach to making your work known around the area. It is not exactly funding but it is part of the process of communication about the Centre and what you do, an important step prior to getting support.

Noooooooooo!

2006-06-23T21:05:00.000+01:00

Just sometimes I wonder...

Jesus Saves: Jesus-Themed Adhesive Bandages - Gizmodo

technorati tags:Jesus

IMG_3591

2006-06-23T14:50:00.000+01:00

IMG_3591
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Steve Jones after the beard was removed. Check out the link to Flickr on the right for the rest of the photo's

Steve raised £600 plus for the building fund.

Scotland YFC

2006-06-22T10:34:00.000+01:00

IMG_0207
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Met with the directors of Scotland and took a picture. This was the last time we would be with Iain Clyne, on the left in the red before he leaves YFC. He has been with us since 1988!

Birmingham YFC football tournament

2006-06-17T17:51:00.000+01:00

The first meeting of Birmingham YFC under me and Gavin as trustee's took place today. A world cup tournament for Rock Solid groups. It was fun. Here are the winners. Gav did a talk which was great and presented the trophy.

Communion at staff training

2006-06-15T17:17:00.000+01:00

I led the communion at staff training. Here is the PowerPoint for those who requested it.

Come back to school night

2006-06-09T16:35:00.000+01:00

A Centre has done this successfully where they have a ‘come back to school night’ where people are invited along to an evening where they are given the opportunity to experience something of the schools work that the Centre does. This not only informs but also helps the people who attend remember what it is like to be at school and then gives an opportunity to talk about the work of Youth for Christ and invite people to support.

The evening is rounded off with some good food to make it thoroughly enjoyable as well as a great way of getting new partners and names for database.

Real enthusiasts can be encouraged to come and support and work alongside as volunteers.

If we did that we could also then do a template that the Centres could use themselves.

Youth Series Grove Booklet

2006-06-08T15:02:00.000+01:00

See details

Y 2 Sustaining Your Spirituality

by Sally Nash

Working with young people can be exhilirating and yet demanding. So how do we sustain our own spiritual life? The author looks at metaphors we use for understanding what sustains us, and offers honest ideas of what works and a wealth of practical resources.

Price: £ 2.95

Christian Formation

2006-06-08T14:39:00.000+01:00

Saturday 17th June - London

Christian Formation with John Drane, Andrew Roberts and Ben Edson. 10am - 4.30pm at St Matthew's SW1P 2BU. This study day seeks to explore practically the issues and potential solutions for contemporary forms of Christian formation and learning. Costs £10 (£8 if booked online) which included lunch and drinks, half price for students. More info http://blahspiritualformation.mollyguard.com/

Fundraising Training

2006-06-08T14:36:00.000+01:00

The next YFC Fundraising and personnal support training is on Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 July at Halesowen.

Details from Sue Jutsum sue.jutsum@yfc.co.uk

YFC WEbsites

2006-06-06T22:00:00.000+01:00

I was at a EQ event in Nottingham tonight. Here are some of the links I was mentioning.

Have a lot of fun.

Richard

The Church in a Spiritual Age

2006-05-22T07:54:00.000+01:00

One of the things I am involved in has been working on the role of the Church in a Spiritual age. There is a website where you can find out more and contribute stories.

Here is the opening paragraph from the site.

Welcome to the Church in a Spiritual Age web site. This web site is here to support the book "Equipping Your Church In A Spiritual Age". We would love you to contribute your stories about how you have been engaging with today's spiritual society in new and creative ways. Please click here to send us your story.

The site is worth a look. The link is http://www.ciasa.org.uk/

Prayer

2006-05-21T13:05:00.000+01:00

My God, I choose all. I do not want to be a saint by halves. I am afraid to suffer for you. I fear only one thing - that I should keep my own will. So take it, for I choose all that you will.

Theresa of Lisieux

Elephant Drive Online Back up for free

2006-05-18T18:00:00.000+01:00

Check out this free online storage facility. Aviod those moments of panic when the HDD corrupts.

It is free at the moment as it is BETA but it may charge (proberbly will) later. Click here

Big Cold Turkey

2006-05-18T08:23:00.000+01:00

Whether it’s smoking, drinking too much, eating too much chocolate, overspending, even biting your nails, The Big Cold Turkey is here to help you show those nasty little addictions and bad habits who’s boss. It’s time to take control of your life and give it up. So why not join The Big Cold Turkey and get the inspiration to start and the motivation to keep on going.

Click here for more

YFC Sports teams

2006-05-16T18:28:00.000+01:00

YFC One

We need loads of applications for sports ministry on the year out teams. If you have anyone interested in joining the teams send them to www.yfcone.com

Foundations 21

2006-05-11T17:23:00.000+01:00

BRF have produced a new online disciplehip course which is very comprehensive and creative. Check it out here http://www.foundations21.org.uk

It operates within 4 learning styles and will go live on the 5th July 2006.

It is aimed at adults and will cost to access.

Have a look.

Brokers of Opportunities

2006-05-10T08:20:00.000+01:00

Having banged on about our need to be brokers of opportunities for years now, when I saw this I thought how helpful it was.

Rabbi Kushner was right when he said, "The purpose of life is not to win. The purpose of life is to grow and to share. When you come to look back on all that you've done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you have brought into other people's lives than you will from the times that you outdid them and defeated them."

Teenbridge New Bus

2006-05-05T12:44:00.000+01:00

DSC00027
Originally uploaded by Richard Bromley.

Teenbridge YFC have been given a bus to work out. It is a really great story of God's provision.

RE: software

2006-05-04T15:30:00.000+01:00

Here is a link to a spread sheet Martin from the Wirral made that some may find useful. Basically he made it to help him keep a weekly time sheet but also to learn where our time expectations were out.

Job vacancies

2006-04-27T16:42:00.000+01:00

Some of the jobs currently vacant at National Office.

Our website shows vacancies at Local Centres, National Office and some other roles:

http://www.yfc.co.uk/vacancies

Currently at National Office we are recruiting the following:

ETA Coordinator (currently Steve Squires)

YFC One Senior Manager (currently Judy Lloyd)

Regional Reflex Manager (Prisons work)

National Evangelist (Formerly Naomi Hill)

Communications Coordinator

Introducing FULL THROTTLE - Youthwork in Motion:

2006-04-27T15:02:00.000+01:00

Full Throttle is a challenging and dynamic programme that is designed to help secondary schools, and other educational agencies, to enhance their Citizenship provision for young people in Kent (and further afield).

The programme aims to meet the QCA’s definition of “knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens” (National Curriculum Online).

Full Throttle aims to tackle many aspects of wider key skills and challenge young people regarding:

Ø Rights and responsibilities;

Ø Self esteem;

Ø Conflict and confrontation;

Ø Inequality;

Ø Volunteer work;

Ø Social, political, cultural and religious awareness;

Ø Personal reflective practise;

What makes this programme unique is its use of motorbikes as a vehicle (if you pardon the pun) to explore wider issues in life. Many young people struggle with rebellion against authority. Thus, using the iconic imagery of motorcycling to explore these issues in depth, young people have the opportunity to come to a fuller understanding of their place in the wider world.

The academic Erich Fromm once wrote: “We are not like people in freefall in outer space where up and down have no meaning, but (are) like astronauts whose directional reference point is … planet Earth which by providing a datum, gives significance to the idea of direction and makes possible decisions about where to move next.”

This quotation sums up the philosophy behind Full Throttle, giving young people the opportunity to realise that they are connected to a wider community, and giving them the opportunity to critically evaluate their lives and decision making processes.

Full Throttle is a Christian-based project that has come out of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, a national charity sharing the Gospel with bikers of all types and persuasions. (Please note: Full Throttle is not part of the official work of the CMA, although I have contacts with them.) As well as formal and informal youthwork, seeking to share the Gospel within the boundaries set by state education, it is also available to churches and youth ministries as an overt evangelistic tool.

The current programme includes:

The Community Motorcycle Course

A 12 week citizenship project introducing young people to motorcycling, including the Compulsory Basic Test.

The Junior Community Motorcycle Course

A shortened version of the “senior” course for under 16s, including introduction to riding mopeds.

Religious Education

Exploring key aspects of the Christian faith using the Biker’s Bible, The Manual for Life

Citizenship

A variety of issues encouraging debate and thinking, promoting communication, problem solving and empathy.

The Motorbike/Survival Course.

This is a project currently being developed combining survival skills and motorbike riding, inspired by the Charlie Boorman/Ewan McGregor documentary Long Way Round.

Team Building:

Communication skills, problem solving and outdoor pursuits for small and large groups.

For more information, call Dan Harris on 0773 990 2695. A full programme can be emailed by replying to ragingfool@hotmail.com. A website will be operating shortly www.fullthrottleuk.co.uk.

Send a Letter to everyone in Church

2006-04-20T17:53:00.000+01:00

I was talking with Alison from Scunthorpe today and she has this idea with her exec to increase the database.

They are looking to send a letter to every person in the churches in the area. Not all at once, but over time to target each church, write a great letter with stories in and an invitation to join the mailing list of YFC to find out more etc. Include a leaflet and an envelope.

What a great way to start filling the database with interested people. All you need is the parish list or send them un names, to be given out in church as part of the service. Better still take them.

New YFC Extranet Online

2006-04-18T16:22:00.000+01:00

The new YFC extranet is now online. This has been made over to make it easier to navigate. It is your one stop shop for articles, policies and information for those inside YFC. The user name and password have not changed. Click here to go there.

YFC Fundraising Manual

2006-04-13T22:17:00.000+01:00

The YFC fundraising book is now finished and available. It has been a lot of hard work, I hope it is worth it. The Halesowen office will be sending it out next week. If you want a copy, get in touch with me.

Richard

A Great little quote from Leonardo Boff

2006-04-13T22:14:00.000+01:00

" Today we are in a new phase of humanity. We all are returning to our common house, the Earth: the people, the societies, the cultures and religions. Exchanging experiences and values, we enrich ourselves and we complete ourselves mutually (…)

(...) We go to laugh, to cry and to learn. To learn especially how to marry Heaven and Earth, namely, how to combine daily life with the surprising, the opaque immanence of the days with the radiant transcendence of the spirit, life at full freedom with death symbolized as to join the ancestors, the discrete happiness of this world with the great promise of eternity. And finally we will have discovered thousands of reasons to live more and better, all together, like a great family, in the same beautiful, generous and Common Village, the planet Earth. "

l

YFC Film Team's Percussion Video

How to transform your community!

Stop the traffik

Kevin Robert's Credo

Evangelical Alliance Introduces New Charity Commission Guidance

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) is introducing a publication of a new Charity Commission guidance relating to the requirement for every charity to show that it is for the public benefit.

VideoJug

Does YFC conform to this or challenge it?

Great Quote

A Friend is a Woman

The Certificate Moment

The New Building

This weeks links 26 Feb

Silence

New Building Latest Shots

Foundations 21 - Discipleship Material

East Norfolk YFC Launch

Want to know what young people are like?

Global Day of Prayer

East Norfolk YFC

"Friends and Heroes"

This weeks links

Confusion

The Synoptic Problem in 8 easy steps

Now, there's a thought

TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC

Ritual

Operation Noah

YFC Launch in Windermere

South Lakes Launch

Anti Slavery

Christian Groups to Demonstrate Against Trident

YFC New Building

This weeks links

Thomas Merton

Anthony of Egypt

The Unchaining Word

Centering Prayer

Contemplative OutreachReaching Out to the World

Women in YFC

KS3 & 4 Slavery resource for Schools

Birmingham Slavery event

200 Since the act to abolish slavery and we have stamps

The Matrix Conference

weekly links

Calling International

This weeks links

Bible Maps on Google now

More on servanthood from Tom Peters

Servanthood

Mark Hedley

New Staff 2007

Winkey Pratney

Loans that change lives

Compact

YFC Christmas Party

Pete in mountains

The New Office is started

Sort it out

this weeks links

The Forgiveness Project

This weeks links:

This is very funny and worth a look

This weeks mail links

The Dublin Marathon and YFC

This is a really interesting outreach

Great Quote

From a Website...

Stand Up Against Poverty

Churches Toolkit

Ideas for Churches to get involved in the Global Month of Action

Labanon from an Arab Perspective

Pants game

The Chartering moment for Peninsula YFC

Peninsula YFC Launch

Arms to ploughshares

swords into ploughshares

Set all free

June's fundraising idea

Contemplative Outreach
Reaching Out to the World