benbell

Can church support it's youthworkers?

I have heard a lot about youth workers ‘burning out’ and although I’m sure this happens I have never heard a specific story. I have however met plenty of youth workers who have stopped working for a church because they are unsupported, disrespected and downright ‘pissed off’.

Trade Justice Vigil

taken from the BBC news website .....

Thousands of campaigners demanding "trade justice" for the world's poorest workers have staged a night of protest.

The overnight candlelit vigil in Whitehall, London, was followed by an early morning march on Downing Street.

Campaigners have also held talks with the three main political parties to call for improved trade conditions.

The protest began at Westminster Abbey, with readings and performances from Ronan Keating, Beverley Knight, Vanessa Redgrave and Pete Postlethwaite.

It was great! good to bump into D and a couple of other faces from the past.
if you haven't already signed up to Make Poverty History campaign yet then do so here

The Joys of Youthwork

I have just returned from the Park where, having split up a ferocious fight between two girls, one of the girls parents came out to ‘kick off’ and before asking what my role was in the situation the dad fly kicked me in the ribs. I was only able to explain that I was a youth worker interested in splitting up the fight as he was laying into me some more! I told the police I wasn’t interested in taking it any further, but I hope they follow up the incident some more as this guy also assaulted some of the boys I was working with which is just unacceptable.

So I’m sitting here with pain in my ribs, feeling sick, trying to think through the whole forgiveness thing.

Ah the joys of youthwork!

Belong Believe Behave

I have been an avid supporter of the concept behind the now clichéd statement ‘belong, believe behave’ and have worked hard over the years to let it inform my youthwork, recognising that traditionally many have put these three words in a different order requiring young people to behave themselves and believe before they can belong.

The theory is great and inspires an ethic of ‘open community’. It challenges the wider church community to consider how it might be welcoming to young people and encourage them to play a role in the life of the community.

As I’ve said, I love the theory, but struggle to know what to do in practice when the young peoples behaviour is quite frankly bang out of order. What do I do when they chuck eggs around the church halls, break the lid to the organ console and throw milk bottles at the caretakers house and generally run wild (a brief snippet from the joys of youthwork here are St Stephen’s last week).

Wake up to Trade Justice in London

Hundreds of thousands of people across the world will be taking action together, as part of the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice from 10-16 April.

Stay up all night in solidarity with people all over the world in Friday 15 April 10pm-8am.

An all-night vigil on the Prime Minister's doorstep, club night, cinema, workshops and youth space there'll be something for everyone on this night to change the world. Get everyone you know to come along to this amazing climax of a fantastic week.

See the Christian Aid site for more details.

Banksy

Banksy has updated his website and as ever, it’s inspiring street art at it’s best. There is also a section featuring his recent project - installing four of his pieces in New York's most prestigious museums - The Brooklyn Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History.

Dressed as a British pensioner, over the last few days Banksy entered each of the galleries and attached one of his own works, complete with authorative name plaque and explanation.

He says "They're good enough to be in there, so I don't see why I should wait"