YOUTH @ St. M's
 
We meet on Sundays at the same time as the main 11am service and follow the same bible readings as the congregation. We meet in the hall and are split into two groups, designed to make learning about Jesus more enjoyable and also easier to understand.

Megawhizzers is for academy aged youth  and their sessions consist of silly games, fun quizzes, fellowship and getting to know Jesus better. 

Whizzkids is for children aged 4-11 years. Their sessions are simpler and include crafts, bible stories and games.  

There is also a creche for babies and toddlers, so you can leave them to play safely while you join us for the service.   

The children all join the congregation in the church at Communion time and then once the service is over head back to the hall for juice and a biscuit (there's tea/coffee for the grown-ups, and a biscuit too if you're quick enough).  Why not come along and see what we get up to?

On the 1st Sunday of the month there is an ALL AGE SERVICE in the church at 11am where everyone can worship together.  There are toys, books and crafts at the front of the church to keep little ones busy and musical instruments for all to play during the hymns. 

In addition, every fortnight Youth Club meets in the Hall at 7.30-9pm on a Sunday. This group is for youth from S1 upwards. Each session has a different theme along with games, fellowship and of course lots of SNACKS!!  ALL WELCOME.  Next Youth Club date is Sunday 26th February.


Diocesan Youth Events

Youth evening in Peterhead Saturday 17th March 

Fun, food, fellowship, games, challenges, laughs, reflection and more... at St Peter’s Church, Merchant Street, Peterhead. 7 – 9.30 pm, for 12yrs +. 
 

Other Diocesan youth events : 
APRIL 13th–15th          TARFSIDE YOUTH AWAY WEEKEND 
Youth away weekend held for 12–17+ age in St Drostan’s Lodge, Tarfside in Glen Esk. Following the success of last year 12 have already signed for 2012. There may be addition room for 2 so please contact Tony Whitbread (01330 820689   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  ) to reserve a place.  

JULY 17th – 21st          IMAGINE YOUTH CAMP
Imagine is a youth camp held in Thainstone Park Inverurie. 500 young people aged 12+ upwards sleeping under canvas and enjoying great teaching, good music, and great fellowship. We will again be sending a group but you will need to book through the website. Check online at: http://www.imaginescotland.co.uk/.

At Saint Mary's we are linked with the work of Urban Saints, Scotland, formerly known as Crusaders.
Contact Sarah Goodyear, tel 01358 724327 for more information



somberokidsELLON REBUILD MEXICO

4 Teenagers, 1 homeless family, 1 house to build, 5 days to do it, £6000 needed... 

***Total rasied to date ......£6700***

TRAINING DAY - 
Recently the Ellon Rebuild Mexico team (Chloe, Mairi, Sarah (our responsible adult), Michael and Matthew) spent the day in Perth at a training day for the three groups that are going to far-flung places to help others.  The Ellon team is the only group in Scotland going to Mexico, there is another group from Scotland going to South Africa in July to build a house and another group are going to Romania to run daycamps.  It was an informative but exhausting day and we can't believe it's less than 2 months till they go!  The girls have had the first of their innoculations - lucky them, but don't worry the boys won't be far behind.  There's still some kit to buy and warm clothes instead of pyjamas (it gets FREEZING at night) but the team just can't wait.


      We've done it - and raised almost £7000 in 7 months!
 
Car washes, car boot sales, cake bakes, book sales, Bingo evenings, a Posh frocks nearly new sale, pub quiz, a Mr & Mrs competition (won by Dr & Mrs Pucci) and finally a Soup and Sweet lunch - with Santa  - have all helped us learn what hard work is - something that the kids will be doing lots of when they get to Mexico in April. 

We met with Charlie from Urban Saints and saw photographs of the house build this year in Mexico.  Wow, it's one thing knowing that you're going to build a house - but actually seeing that you are going to dig the foundations, cut the timber and build the wooden frame and then render the walls!!!  Hope Sarah doesn't loose the instruction manual.  Now all we need are the innoculations, kit including solar showers (if you don't hang your black bag of water to heat in the sun each morning then you have a cold shower) and tickets of course and then we're off.  We head to Luton at the end of March and fly off to Mexico on the 31st of March 2012.  Can't wait!


Next Easter 4 teenagers (Michael, Mairi, Chloe and Matthew) and their youth leader (Sarah) from St.Mary's are travelling to Mexico to change one family's life forever. Project ReBuild (run by Urban Saints and Amor Ministeries) is an 11day trip to Mexico where teams of youth build a house from the foundations up with only hand tools. They also arrange activities for the local children and at the end of the trip hand over the keys of the house to the family. This will be  no holiday! The group will be camping, living on a basic diet (similar to those living in Mexico) and not getting a days rest from when they start. This life changing experience will be an excellent opportunity for the youth to experience a new culture and appreciate what they have, whilst helping others.

For more information contact ...
Sarah Goodyear, tel 01358 724327

 

Imagine

Three of the teenagers from Youth @ St Marys went to the Imagine festival in Inveruie this August.  It's the first time the Diocese has led a group to the event so it was a steep learning curve for everyone involved.  It's a week long Christian festival with speakers, bands, games, events and a prayer tent - and of course if good festival tradition you camp there.  Although they only went for a couple of days, and sleep was in very limited supply all agreed that it's a MUST for next year - and this time they are camping for the whole week!  Well, maybe.  Here's what two of them thought.

Wow! Imagine just blew me away. To see so many teenagers under one roof (there were literally hundreds of us), praising God really gave me hope. These days' teenagers are accused of being lazy, anti-social and not caring about anything other than the latest fashion trends or computer games. Never have they been proved so wrong! The best part was the worship with the live band. The music literally shook the floor and almost every person was jumping, dancing or clapping, there was so much joy. I learnt so much in the short time I was there. I also learnt how to become a better friend and more compassionate person. I also learnt alot about praying. Mike Pivalachi (one of the speakers, very funny by the way) said something that really made me think. 'Praise by faith through pain. Anyone can pray when life is easy'. Anyway, I cannot wait for next year, bring it on!!!

Imagine was the first Christian youth camp I went to and I want to go back every year now! 

It was mostly because of the people there that made me enjoy it but also because of the amazing talkers like mike pilavachi he is so funny! (I definitely recommend going to see one of his talks) but also because of the friendly people and activities around the site.

I definitely recommend going to this event when you can because it’s amazing!

 
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