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News and resources for Youth Workers and groups
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May 2003
Issue
31
Youth Workers launch
their association
Other conference
highlights
Over thirty youth workers gathered in Rugby at the annual youth
workers conference in March to launch the new Association for
youth workers. Set up by MAYC, the Association aims to support
youth workers by sharing policy and practice, and gaining a
collective voice to influence church and government policy
affecting young people.
Members of the Association will receive a copy of the Directory
of Fulltime Methodist Youth Provision, the latest on government
initiatives, information on policies and good practise via the
MAYC web site, www.mayc.info, and free membership to the
youth worker’s e-group.
Attending the conference were Training and Development
Officers Laurie Garner and Keith Elliot. They spoke individually
about the importance of the youth work in the Methodist Church
and the vision to secure church community based youth work,
particularly for young people that do not necessarily attend
church.
Professor of community education
and author Mark Smith (above)
spoke on the “back to basics”
principle within youth work. He
highlighted the importance of the
leadership between the youth
leader and the young person. This
was not only interesting but
inspiring at a time when churches
receiving government funding are
being put under increasing pressure
to set targets with young people
and gain accreditation. He said this
forces church community based
youth work to move away from it’s
strong roots and identity.
(continued on page 4)
Inside
Staff
News
2
Youth
Conference
5
Events &
Resources
8

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Staff news
In memory of …
London Weekend Show
Production Team 1963,
from left: Cyril Thomas,
Reg Bedford, Philip
Race, Albert Corner
and Catherine
Hollingsworth.
Barry Otterson
(1948-2003)
It is with sadness that we announce the
sudden death of Mr Barry Otterson on
March 16 2003. Barry had been involved
in MAYC for many years – as a local youth
club leader and a member of the Sports
Management Group. His wife, Jane, and
daughter, Claire are also active in MAYC.
Barry was born in Hoylake, the village
where he was to spend and enjoy most of
his life. Over the years, Barry has touched
many lives, particularly through his thirty
five years association with St. Luke’s Youth
Club. Those in the youth club, and The
Bridge drop-in café, which Barry and Jane
ran on Saturday nights, will remember his
encouragement and his teaching. They
would also remember being kicked up
mountains, made to get into canoes in all
weathers, the wonderful holidays in Ireland,
and chats in the Club room. Barry was a
man that if you needed help, you were
pleased to have him as a friend on your
side. He was often forthright, and would
speak his mind, particularly in meetings.
Barry will be greatly missed by his family
and friends, church family, both young and
old, the West Wirral Methodist Circuit, the
Liverpool District, the Methodist
Association of Youth Clubs, and in
particular the Sports Management Group.
Philip Race
and encourage youth clubs - helping
(1916-2003)
them to write their scripts. He would
be particularly remembered for the 30ft
Those who were involved in the early long silver spacecraft that his group (St
years of MAYC would remember Philip Catherine’s Methodist Church in
Race. Philip was a member of the Lincoln) erected in the Royal Albert
MAYC London Weekend Show
Hall. His brother, Steve, was involved
Production Team from 1948 to 1963 in MAYC as the musical director and
and worked closely with Len Barnett the person who started the MAYC
(MAYC National Secretary 1949-1958) Singers.
and Reg Bedford (MAYC National
Secretary 1958-1967).
In 1950, Philip became Vice President
of MAYC and in 1956, he became Vice
Philip travelled the country to advise President of the Methodist Conference.
Snapshot news
Community Fund looks for solutions to help young people
Following a consultation commissioned by the Community Fund from the British Youth
Council which showed bullying, harassment, racism and violence to be the biggest
concerns for today’s young people, a conference on Young People and Social Inclusion
has brought together many partners to look at how to provide better solutions to
address these issues. www.community-fund.org.uk
NCVYS Strategic Information Service Bulletin No. 147
Anti-social behaviour White Paper The Home Office has published a
white paper to tackle anti-social behaviour. Its proposals include giving police
powers to disperse groups of young people and to impose fast track curfews. Fixed
penalty notices for anti-social behaviour are to be piloted on 16-17 year olds.
Download from: www.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm57/5778/5778.pdf
NCVYS Strategic Information Service Bulletin No. 149
EWG for disabled children The External Working Group for Disabled Children
has released a document entitled ‘Work in Progress’ and they are inviting views and
comments on their work so far. Go to:
www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/children/consulationdraft3.PDF
NCVYS Strategic Information Service Bulletin No. 149
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World Action News
TRADING PLACES…
Find out about Trade Justice firsthand… Go
overseas to report for World Action
Win a Trip to Africa to Report
on a Trade Issue
World Action is running a
competition to give one talented
young person (aged 18-25) the
opportunity to travel to Africa to
report on a trade issue.
To enter the competition, you need
to write 500 words about a trade
justice issue.
It’s essential that your writing be
based on personal experience. If you
don’t have any already, it doesn’t
mean you can’t enter. You’ve still got
time to get some and it’s an extra
incentive to get involved and “Scale
Up for Trade Justice” at the end of
June!
You could write about anything from
holding a Trade Justice service in your
circuit, to taking part in 27-28 June
2003 ‘Mass Lobby of Parliament’. If
you’ve been overseas, describe how
you felt as a tourist in a developing
country. It could be a report on your
meeting with your MP… but
whatever you decide to write about,
your entry will be judged on the
quality of your report, rather than the
success of your action.
For more information/terms and
conditions – see
www.worldaction.info
Campaign magazine available – Throw
Your Weight Around for Trade Justice
The 16-page campaign magazine is now
available. This contains all you need to
know to Get Geared up for Trade Justice
action in June, activities to introduce the
issue to youth groups – including step by
step instructions to build your own giant
scales of justice, worship resources and
competition details.
To get your free copy - contact
worldaction@methodistchurch.org.uk
New World Action
Website launched…
Check out the new World Action
website – www.worldaction.info The
new site has information on the
issues behind the World Action for
Trade Justice campaign, Ideas
on Taking Action, News,
Worship, Links to resources on
trade.
Wear the Trade
Justice badge – the
latest fashion
accessory!
Wear the trade badge
You’re not dressed without it!
Whoever you are, whatever you’re
doing - you can wear the trade badge.
Brought to you as the official symbol
of the campaign for trade justice, the
trade badge is a simple but effective
way to help spread the campaign
message. The badge highlights the
imbalance of world trade today. The
figure at the centre represents hope,
the power of ordinary people to tip the
balance in favour of the world’s poor.
Order a badge now for yourself, your
friends and family and help tip the
balance.
Price: £2 per badge (plus £2 p&p per
order) Free p&p on orders of
9 badges or more. Order from
World Acion
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continued from page 1
Mr Smith also spoke of
Methodist pioneer developers in
youth and community work
such as John Butterworth, Fred
Milson, Emiline Pethick and
Leonard Barnett, whose love
and vision for youth work was
revolutionary.
18-20 July 2003
Throughout the conference there
were lively debates about grassroots
practice and what its
future holds. Other speakers at
the conference included
Kanchan Jadeja from the Youth
Service Unit. Carol Jackson from
the National Youth Agency
spoke about developing a
contemporary curriculum.
Margaret Thompson informed
delegates about possible funding
sources. Wendy Clay from the
Lewisham Young Women’s
Project led an eye-opening and
informative seminar around
sexual health. The youth
workers also got the chance to
have some fun in the “Junk
Music” workshop led by MAYC
Creative Arts Development
Worker, Rachel Saunders. The
Rev Ken Walton from the Great
Harwood circuit, North
Lancashire led periods of
reflection and worship based
around the theme “being
human”.
The conference and the launch
of the Association, was coordinated
by Liz Sturgess, Youth
Development Officer for MAYC.
For more information about the
association or the annual youth
workers conference please
contact MAYC.
“Summer Skool” with the MAYC Orchestra
and Singers, 14-17 August 2003
Come and join the MAYC Orchestra and Singers at young people from Chandlers
Ford for “Summer Skool!” We are inviting players grade 5 and up and singers
around the country to join us for four days of rehearsals and workshops,
concluding with a concert and worship. Contact Rachel Saunders for a booking
form - a great opportunity to experience the O & S firsthand.
Tel: 020 7467 5208 E-mail: saundersr@methodistchurch.org.uk
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Bolton & Rochdale
District invites you to…
myc2003.org.uk
Calling all young people between
13 and 25 years and involved in
the Methodist Church
Do you want to have YOUR say
Do YOU want a weekend of entertainment and debates
Come and join us at one of the YOUTH EVENTS OF THE YEAR!
The weekend will be packed with workshops, worship and
good entertainment. You can meet with others YOUR own age.
There will be an appearance from a popular christian band.
Join our mailing list on the website: www.myc2003.org.uk
For more information: Youth Conference, Methodist Chuch House,
25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR Tel: 020 7486 5502
or e-mail the management team: management@myc2003.org.uk
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National Quiz 2003
Let me tell you about an event
That happened in February
When many came (or were they
sent)
To National Quiz 2003.
The city of Bath was the place
Where everything went on.
With cracking stewards on the case
Made you glad you’d gone.
Anyway, on Friday night
We made the journey down.
“The blasted fog!” We had no sight.
At last, the church we’d found.
The wonderful hosts, they fed us soup.
So warm, filled a hole so deep.
After that, in one humongous group
We went to church to sleep.
As far as I know, we slept quite well.
At my church, it was warm!
“A warm church! No!” I hear you yell!
But it was, against the norm.
Back to the weekend, the quiz began
As all the teams prepared.
Half of them into the hall they ran
But the rest just looked quite scared.
So many rounds, it was first rate
The leaders soon pulled away.
The teams that played thought it was
great
And felt they did OK.
At the end, East Anglia had won.
For the second year in a row.
Overall, it was just so much fun.
And a shame it had to go.
An exatravaganza, a stunning thing.
Happened at the night.
Games, music, and breakdancing,
It was a magnificent sight.
Back to the church for chat and bed
They were all asleep so quick.
And then awake with a very clear head
Only one lad needed a kick!!!
The worship was so wonderful
With a Graham Norton show.
Lucas with a service so full.
Then it was time to go.
Thanks to all who helped in Bath.
It was a great weekend.
Thanks for a great time such a laugh.
Our heartfelt gratitude we send.
Simon Cooper (on behalf of the Quiz
Advisory Group)
For more info on National Quiz,
please e-mail:
sturgesse@methodistchurch.org.uk
or call Liz Sturgess on 0207 467 5207.
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RESOURCES and Events
Worth Doing Well
Guidance and good practice
for churches and other
organisations
by Timothy J Bradshaw (Editor),
Judy Jarvis, Michael Jebson and
Wendy Ross-Barker
(Methodist Publishing House,
£12.50) (ISBN 1 85852 233 1)
This is an invaluable resource
which offers guidance and good
practice on the following: child
protection (Safeguarding),
Children Act, confidentiality, copyright, data protection,
disabilities, drugs-including alcohol, tobacco and solvents, equal
opportunities, finance, first aid and health issues, food hygiene,
going away, indoor activities, insurance, internet, legal issues not
covered elsewhere, minibuses, outdoor activities, premises, risk
assessment, safety in worship, supervision, training, and the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Art Unlimited
A resource pack of arts and
crafts activities for use with
young people
by Vanessa Rogers
(National Youth Agency, £12.95)
(ISBN 0 86155 259 5)
Art Unlimited contains some 60
tried and tested projects for use
with young people, either
individually or in a group
setting. It is an invaluable
starting point for arts and
crafts work with young people.
DIARY
2003
9-11 MAY
MAYC’s Young Worship Leaders Training
Weekend, Hull
17 May
Passion and Politics
Westminster Central Hall, London
23-26 May
Inspiration Day, Scotland
27-28 June
`24 Hours for Trade Justice’ World Action
18-20 July
Wall to Wall Music – training weekend for
muscians with Phatfish
30 July-3 August
European Methodists Festival 03, Germany
14-17 August
Summer School with the MAYC Orchestra
and Singers
September
Volleyball Final, Hoylake, Wirral
13 September
Inspiration Day in Cornwall
11 October
Inspiration Day in Lancashire
25 October
MAYC Orchestra and Singers Concert
14-16 November
Methodist Youth Conference
Victoria Hall, Bolton
29 November
Inspiration day in Canterbury
2004
7 February
Inspiration Day in York and Hull District
9-11 July
Breakout, National Youth Event
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Further Information
Please contact Shirley Maginley, MAYC, Methodist Church House,
25 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5JR Tel: 020 7486 5502
Fax: 020 7467 5281 E-mail: youth@methodistchurch.org.uk
This insert is free. Further copies are available at £2.25 per 10 copies as a contribution towards the distribution
cost from MPH (see address below)
This is part of the Connexional Link Mailing, provided for the Methodist Church in Britain.
Methodist Churches and others in linked ecumenical projects may freely copy this resource for their own
use. © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Who has been sent copies direct
Ministers and Deacons in pastoral charge
Who else in your church might find this useful
Other youth workers
Junior Church leader
Circuit Youth &
Community Secretary
✔
Please write their names and get them to
tick the box when they have received or seen a copy.
Published by Methodist Publishing House, 4 John Wesley Road, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6ZP Tel: 01733 325002 Fax: 01733 384180 E-mail: sales@mph.org.uk
DL 337