I hope you had a great summer and enjoyed the wonderful weather either holidaying abroad or here in Wales.  I'm not sure there was much difference to be honest.  The months are quickly passing by, and the nights are drawing in far too quickly. Here's an update on what I (Arawn) am up to this term with the Welsh churches and schools in Flintshire. 
I'll begin with the older youth - our Tuesday evening studies have relocated to Costa, Mold from 6-7 pm.  We've been using the Alpha 'Big Questions of Life' resource, but have now moved on to the excellent resource 'Prodigal God' by Timothy Keller.  It looks at the parable of the Prodigal Son over six short sessions, which raise a number of worthy questions from the Gospel of Luke. 

The first six weeks of term have gone by in a flash! (says Wendy)
Our non-formal work in the high schools is going really well again this term.  It's great to have two new placement workers involved in schools with us; Nicola helping with the Rock Solid nurture group in the Alun, and Steph who joins Nicola and I for Xplore, our drop-in sessions around the school.  Xplore usually takes place in the Faith Garden, but on wet days we engage with pupils in their classes and in the hallways.  We usually have a game going on, with reflective activities and space to 'Pause for Thought' too. 

There's a hole in our hearts.... We're really missing our Interns Hannah and Ben who are now settling in to University.  Wendy in particular is really lost without Hannah's brain to download to, and is amazed she hasn't lost all her props by now!  
Hannah was our first full-time intern, and Ben worked with us for a day or two a week. We miss their ideas and energy, the banter in the office, studying the Word together and most of all their hard working servant hearts.  Hannah's gone on to study Physics at Southampton and Ben is studying Theology at London School of Theology.  Who knew they were such brainiacs? They hid it so well....*
Author: Wendy Swan


*this is a joke. Both interns dazzled us with their wit and intellect