Methodist youth president visits Dover project

Methodist youth president visits Dover project

Messy church at Cross-Links

at Cross-Links we have explored lots of different ways for us to gather as a 'congregation' over the years.  messy church 'hits the mark' for us because it fits our context well - we are very craft focussed at our activities especially for children and young people, so it is a great way to express ourselves as we gather together sunday by sunday. Unlike other Messy Churches we welcome unaccompanied children alongside families; i suspect they come because they feel comfortable and at home.  our youth worker Becky draws in some of the older youths that attend their activities and they often bring their younger siblings (often having previously attended our toddler group) and friends.  Interestingly they come back week by week (as we meet weekly) and are not put off by the Christ-centred crafts, chat, songs or prayers.
over the weeks following easter we are taking a look each week at a different appearance of the risen jesus, today we thought about the appearance to the disciples at easter and again the following week when thomas was with them.  Here are a few photos from earlier today...

 

Easter Blessings to you and your loved ones <><

Visit of Methodist Youth President

this afternoon Hayley Moss, the Methodist Youth President visited us at Cross-Links to catch up with Esther Salisbury (our Methodist 'OPP'), the team, trustees and young folk attending Krafty Kids Klub. Hayley seemed to enjoy a spot of painting and took lots of dripping wet painted pictures away with her on her rain journey home!  Thanks to our trustees that attended and to Becky, Laurice, Rachael, Rhea and the other young people that helped out during the session.
here are a few snaps...

Esther (left), Hayley (right)

Hayley chilling and chatting with Geoff

Having fun building with the jenga

crafty session is progress

Hayley and Esther pose for the Press

Lots of great young helpers

Esther sporting her 'OPP' t-shirt

Hayley up to her eyes in paint!

Easter Monday at Canterbury Cathedral

as a family we joined our diocesan family for the easter monday youth pilgrimage.
this was the 40th pilgrimage and packed with young people (and some of us 'oldies') praising God and celebrating the resurrection of our King Jesus.
here are a few photos...

some of the pilgrims

Miles joining the worship

Archbishop Justin says a few words..

and then is interviewed

lots of personal anecdotes

the band

the banners being processed out at the end

The Easter Garden outside the Cathedral

Evening comes...

that evening as they ponder the events of the day, weighing them up against the hard fact that they had seen (some from afar) him die and saw him buried in the tomb...
Jesus comes amongst them.
it really is him - but his body is strangely different, yet recognisable too...
it is true
he is alive
he is risen
he truly is
The Resurrection and the Life!

Son-day dawns...

with their hopes and dreams dashed, their 'messiah' dead and buried, strange news reaches them...
He is not in the tomb!  He has been seen alive!
Peter and John race to see for themselves and find thegrave clothes, but no body???
Could it be true?  He is alive? How?
confused and filled with a mixture of joy and sadness the friends gather together to ponder this development.
they lock themselves away just in case the religious leaders come for them next.

Easter Messy Church

Just a few photos...

making Easter baskets

easter sticker pictures

Holy Week hanging mobiles

Holy Week story wheels

we also watched the Miracle Maker

had pizza for lunch and posed for this photo!