Methodist Youth President visit

Dare to be you! with Jasmine Yeboah the Methodist Youth President.

Young people from age 10 to 18 gathered to learn how God calls us to be ourselves, not feeling that we have to "fit in with the crowd". We began with lunch and finding out about each other — a nice start to the afternoon.

We explored the theme of "Dare to be you" through art, games, making bread, film, thought-provoking bible study and discussion. We looked at Psalm 139 which describes God's unending presence wherever we are and that we are all wonderfully made.

Methodist Youth President, Jasmine Yeboah, talked about being the people God wants us to be; sharing and celebrating our individual values and talents.

We finished with lively and fun worship involving drama, music, readings and prayer led by the young people, as well as Communion with bread made earlier in the day. It was a really encouraging afternoon.

Chris Worth

We had loads of fun today at 'Dare to be you!'

When we arrived we had lunch together and then watched a film clip from 'Mean Girls' and discussed it in groups of jelly baby flavours! I found the film clip sad.

We looked at and discussed a text about everyone being welcome in church then we had a choice of activities from an interactive prayer space, making bread, painting pebbles or playing games. I chose to paint pebbles. Then we could choose a workshop — either a reflective, artistic one or a bible study on psalm 139. I chose the artistic one and we made pastel drawings and / or clay models.

Jasmine arrived and joined in before speaking to us all in the church. She spoke passionately about her faith and encouraged us to live out God's will for us.

Then we ate lots of cake and quizzed Jasmine about her life and faith.

We planned the closing worship together — some of us played instruments, some made up a drama sketch and some people prepared prayers and a bible reading. I really enjoyed the worship. In the communion we shared the bread we'd made.

It was a really fun afternoon.

Alice Kent