Back in Full Swing in the Schools

Tights+ball+bottles=enormous fun and a big crowd at Xplore!

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. 

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I'll be leading lower school house assemblies in the Alun next week, and again before Christmas.  We've already led two yeargroup assemblies in Maes Garmon, (one of which was attended by the school's Senior Leadership Team - yikes!) with bookings for at least one per half term over the year.  

Both Arawn and Wendy have had a good grilling from pupils in lessons, with Wendy responding to questions on the sanctity of life from year 9s in the Alun, and Arawn discussing the Bible with year 7s in Maes Garmon. 

Our Open Door club in Maes Garmon sees a regular group of younger pupils come to learn more about the Bible and the Christian faith, and to have fun with our lively games.  After school on Mondays we have a study for Year 9+ in Maes Garmon, which is a great opportunity to get deeper into God's Word and to provide discleship. We are enjoying (and being challenged by) the book of Romans, which we are working through this term.  
We're leading regular Open The Book assemblies again in 8 primary schools, where the welcome back from both children and staff has been so warm and positive.  The pupils are enjoying getting to know our new volunteers Steph, Nicola and Nia; Olive and Trish are back again helping regularly too.  I'm really looking forward to leading a three day Refuge reflective space in Bryn Gwalia during Anti-Bullying week, which will give pupils an opportunity to pause, reflect and also to pray creatively.

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