BBQ and Bonfire Night! Last Sunday's Outing

Well, that's what it was going to be - but God has a sense of humour!  When we were going to have a tobogganing trip, the sun came out and there was no snow.  When we were going to have a beach day, it poured.  This time, when we were going to have a BBQ and Bonfire night (doesn't that sound like a good choice for a chilly winter outing?!) we had wild wind, rain and thunder!

But the Youth Bible Group's motto is NEVER GIVE UP!!

SO... we had our BBQ and Bonfire at Katie's place - she doesn't have a BBQ, so we grilled the snags on the stove - and then rolled them in bread and tomato sauce in the traditional way;  and she doesn't have a bonfire, so we toasted marshmellows on the stove top - but hey, they went all crispy and black on the outside, and gooey and melty on the inside, just the way they do over a bonfire!  Someone ate so many he was feeling a little ill... or maybe that's because he prefers his marshmellows more charcoal than lolly...

AND we got to watch a rather peculiar animated movie - 'The Tale of Despereaux', which was definitely a warmer option than tramping through mud and long grass in a storm.

Next outing is scheduled for 15th September, and we're hoping to go to 'Bounce' in the city... what could possibly go wrong for that one??!

What our youth minister wants for Christmas...

            What do I want for Christmas?  I’m glad you asked!  I have a list - it’s not long, but may involve some expense for some - no, for all of us… I want every teenager who could claim they belong to Warragul Anglican Church to have their own Bible, in a version they can easily read.  I want each of them to be able to explain what makes someone a Christian, versus another faith. I want each of them to know in their bones that they belong to our church family, and are wanted, known, respected, valued, and missed when they aren’t there.  I want each of them to know that they have a ministry among us, not only to peers and children younger than themselves, but to the whole church.  I want every one of them to sense Jesus with them, moment by moment, their Saviour, King and Friend.

            Which is why I’m loving our Youth Bible Group on Sunday afternoons - it’s Christmas every week, because I’m seeing our teens sharing their knowledge and questions and concern for their school mates and hopes about life with each other, and I’m seeing them grow in maturity and love and knowledge of God week by week.  It’s why I love spotting our teens on the sound desk and in the music group and reading the Bible and welcoming, and especially chatting with folk of every age over morning tea.  And why I get a thrill when I hear someone praying for our kids - and even more when I hear our kids praying.

            I’m really looking forward to the combined St Paul’s School and WAC Carols on 9^th December, because some of our teens are going to minister to us in music that night.  That same morning, we’re going to celebrate as a few more young’uns graduate from Salt Club and take their place among the adults on Sundays, 

and I’m excited, because I’m looking forward to hearing them lead us in prayer, challenge us to share our faith, show us the way as they welcome people over a plate of biscuits, spur us on to give to people in need, and step up to be the leaders of the next generation.

            And I’m bouncing in my chair as I look forward to Sunday 16^th December, when a couple of our teens plan to confirm that this faith we share is their faith, before the Bishop and the whole church. 

            After all this, unwrapping presents on the 25^th could be a bit lame…!