Mthatha 2009 Fundraising Events

The Mthatha group are extremely grateful for the continuing support of the diocese for what will be a wonderful trip.

Fundraising Events for the Mthatha Youth Pilgrimage will take place at the following times:

March 21 7:30pm - Ceilidh at Daviot Village Hall. Tickets £7
March 28 7:30pm - Quiz night at St Mary-on-the-Rock, Ellon
April 18 all day - Sponsored walk from St James Holburn Junction to St Ternans Banchory. Be sponsored or just come along for the day. We will worship (daily office) in both churches and be provided with refreshments in Banchory.
April 24 - Quiz Night in the John Skinner Centre at the Cathedral.

For more information on any of the above events, and other events that may be happening, please email Mary on abdnyouth@gmail.com or phone 07929 962498.

UMTATA 2009 - GENERAL INFORMATION

Plans are now underway for a group of our young people to visit our twin Diocese, the Diocese of Umtata in South Africa. Along with +Bob and the trip organiser, we hope to take:

• 3 – 14-16 yr olds
• 3 – 17-18 yr olds
• 3 – 19-22 yr olds
• 2 – 23-27 yr olds*

Places will be allocated to 14-16 and 17-18 yr olds on a first come first serve basis.

Places for 19-22 and 23-27 year olds will be allocated at the organiser’s discretion following Disclosure Scotland Checks.

* The main role of the 23-27 yr old age group will be to help the trip organiser act as leadership for those under 18 years old during this exciting trip.

Where is the Diocese of Umtata?

The Diocese of Umtata is part of the Anglican Church of South Africa, and is situated on the South-East Cape of South Africa.

When will it be?

Provisional dates have been set for the first two weeks of July, 2009.

How much will I have to pay?

We are hopeful that we will be able to cover the main costs of the trip through grants and fundraising, including all travel, accommodation and food and activity costs. We will give as much notice as we can if there is to be a participant contribution towards the trip.

You will be responsible for the cost of as passport applications, any cost in vaccinations (although this may be covered on the NHS), etc, as well as spending money for while you are there.

What will we be doing?

We will be based in the City of Umtata, following a program of events planned for us by Bishop Sitembele and others from the Diocese of Umtata. We will be taking day trips each day to different areas of the diocese, meeting youth groups and experiencing a little of what life is like for those who live there. We hope to have the chance to visit some orphanages, schools and other establishments, and develop relationships with many of those whom we meet.

Will there be any commitment before and after the trip?

Yes. As the total cost of the trip will cost in excess of £10,000, you will be responsible for some of the fundraising activities, which will need to take place for the trip to be affordable. We hope to bring the group together sometime in October to discuss and plan fundraising ideas.

After the trip, we will need to create a presentation about our trip and our experiences to share with others from throughout the Diocese and Province.

Got any Questions or interested in coming?

Get in touch with Mary, the trip organiser at abdnyouth@gmail.co.uk or ask at your church for more information.

Umtata 2009

Bishop Robert has raised the possibility of taking 6 18-25 year olds along with one or two other clergy members with him on a trip to the Diocese of Umtata in the summer of 2009.

Many of the details are still uncertain but there is to be a meeting early in July with +Robert and +Sitembele of Umtata to discuss the trip and what we will be doing. I think the meeting is in the evening but I will confirm time and place to those interested when I hear for sure.

Please note that those who are going would be involved in a fundraising effort for the trip, and this may take up a fair amount of time throughout the year. My guess is that we would also have to give a presentation(s)/report(s) of the trip on our return so it is a commitment beyond the actual trip if that makes sense...

Interested: Get in touch with Mary at abdnyouth@gmail.com. Do also pass this info on to anyone else who might be interested, but please remember everyone should be within the 18-25 age group in the summer of 2009 and also have a link with the Diocese or congregations within it.

Glen 2008

Note: The application form and brochure with the following information can be found here.

GLEN '08: Love Changes Everything

Dates:
Week 1: Sunday 3 August - Saturday 9 August, 2008
Week 2: Sunday 10 August - Saturday 17 August, 2008

WHAT IS GLEN?

The Scottish Episcopal Church Youth weeks happen each year in August when young people and leaders from all over Scotland gather together for six days of sports, swimming, arts and crafts, workshops, fun events, worship and conversation. It is an action packed holiday with a difference. There is plenty of time to relax, make good friends, and generally have the best time. This year there will be two separate weeks in response to demand - you can attend only one!


WHO'S IT FOR?

The youth weeks are open to anyone in secondary education up to and including July, 2008; also those under 18 years old who have left full-time education. You must be sponsored by your local Scottish Episcopal Church congregation.


WHERE?

The Youth Weeks happen at Glenalmond College in Perthshire. The college is set in magnificent grounds about 10 miles from Perth. It has superb facilities which include an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, sports fields, squash courts, dedicated arts and music facilities, and much more. New and varied menus at every meal are provided in the magnificent dining hall. Accomodation is in single and twin rooms. Each room has its own wash-hand basin and there are ample shower facilities in each house. Sheets are provided but you must bring a sleeping bag or duvet.


HOW MUCH?

The total cost of the Week is subsidised by the Scottish Episcopal Church. In order to contribute to these costs, it is suggested that each person pays £110.00 and your local church vestry pays £90.00.

There is a Diocesan Subsidy fund to help those who would not be able to afford to go on their own - do get in touch if you wish to take advantage of this.


Closing Date: Monday 9 June

If you want a form or more information, email us at abdnyouth@abdn.ac.uk!

Lambeth Conference Volunteers

Note* The PYN is the Provincial Youth Network: See below for a message from Sarah - email abdnyouth@gmail.com and we will pass the message on...



The PYN is planning to have a presence at this year's Lambeth Conference, in conjunction with the International Anglican Youth Network.

The plan is for a group of ten; five aged eighteen to twenty-five (subject to organiser's discretion) and five under eighteen, to go down to Canterbury 20th to 27th of July. Accommodation has been booked at Canterbury Youth Hostel for seven nights. The group will visit the conference, interact with the bishops, run a youth stall in the 'marketplace' and run a youth-oriented Labyrinth, as well as sightsee in Canterbury and take part in group worship and activities.

The total cost of the trip (seven nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner) is £100 per person. Lunch each day and transport to Canterbury will be the individual's own responsibility.

This initial email is being sent to those who have registered their interest in attending, or are in a position to pass this information on to others within their diocese. If you wish to attend, please email s.tomlinson@src.gla.ac.uk.

Places will be given on a first-come-first-served basis with a deadline of March 20th.

This Lambeth conference will be an exciting event, and I look forward to having a strong PYN input.

Sarah Tomlinson