Annual Youth Report 2003 by Diane Rhodes. What a year! This has been a very busy year not only for the young people of the church but also for many of the youth who live in the area,with different groups meeting weekly,one off events and artistic workshops,we have a lot to get excited about! So get comfortable,have a cup of tea and put your feet up as you read about all that has happened.

Where do I start? Last year 10 young people met for 6 weeks to take part in drama workshops with a tutor funded by “Arts 4 All”.The youth wrote their own scripts based on health – topics ranged from teenage pregnancy to tattoos.At the end of the workshops a performance of the work took place on 19th June and it was so good that a second performance was held on 28th September which raised £381 for parish funds.

I am also involved in a group called “voyce” – a youth forum which meets monthly involving youth workers in the area.Each of the churches takes turn to organise a youth service – it was our turn on 9th June.

At the end of June,I was invited by Father Martin Magill to visit a youth group aged 10-18 from Poleglass at their regular Friday night meeting – the theme for the evening was reconciliation.We hope to do some cross community work in the future – we left it in God’s hands , so lets see what happens!

Summer Madness took place at the end of June and in September we went to the re-union along with some of the youth from Jennymount church – this was the start of a beautiful friendship between the young people from the two churches as we continue to do joint events/projects together.

Events continued on through the summer – weekly Bible studies,monthly events such as “On the Journey”,dramas,youth cells.

A Consortium has been formed with local church groups and our church was successful in securing £1277 funding from the North Belfast community action project for jewellery making,sports equipment,guitars and lessons.

The “Girls Club” was formed last September and there are currently 53 members with 35 attending regularly.There are 4 groups involved in a range of activities e.g. cookery ,arts & crafts , dance , sports.We presently have 8 volunteer leaders , but we still need more – so if you are interested in helping out ,please let me know.

One of the highlights of the year was the organisation of the family service in May ,which had a Christian Aid theme.Over £200 was raised for Christian Aid.

The photography work was exhibited at “Arts for All” at the opening of their new premises on York Road in March.The work has been recently exhibited in the Hague in Holland.

There are further graffiti and guitar workshops taking place,plus a photography project is due to start this autumn – more information later!

I have 4 goals for the youth work that I do here;

1.encourage and provide opportunities for all the youth in our parish to discover and use their talents/gifts

2.to encourage them spiritually through worship,evangelism and discipleship

3.to value each child/youth as an individual and important member of this church

4.to encourage and train leaders within the parish

Looking back at the work accomplished over the past year in relation to the goals set , I would say we have had a very successful year!