Jessopp Road Youngsters Get Involved!

19 youngsters between 8 & 13 years congregated at St. Mark’s in Audley End with the theme of

‘going on a journey’.

 

Our weekend began in the Arrivals Lounge with introductions and getting to know each then a Journey of Exploration finding rooms and a guided tour around the premises and grounds. After lunch it was an Indiana Jones Adventure afternoon of activities including trampoline, archery and adventure course as well as a treasure hunt.

 

Travelling with Abram and Sara introduced the theme with a ‘Horrible History’ style story. A front piece for the worship table was created by painted foot prints. An evening Journey Fun filled with games and laughter, finished off with a Night Journey a guided walk – the night was overcast so no opportunity to view the stars through the telescope. Finishing the day with hot chocolate and a Shaun the Sheep kite journey then to Dream Journey Sunday morning saw us worshipping in the chapel journeying with God, a different style but we continued on our journey. The theme was continued with a Godly Play Road to Emmaus. Praying for friends and family with a polystyrene airplane to write the names of those we wished to pray for, then were sent flying around the room, finishing on the table at the front. We shared the story of Jesus Journey and (for those who wished) in their own time partook in grape juice and unleavened bread. Praying for the world we each took a newspaper cutting and put a sticking plaster of prayer on this. This was very interesting and whilst you are unable to see this from the photos attached, there were some interesting prayers by the youngsters. One had taken an article about Gaddafi and the plaster read ‘forgive’, another was of a family pulled apart by each other and the plaster read ‘love’. As a worshipping hour this was thought provoking for me as an adult and an insight into how some young people feel and think.

 

The rest of the morning was spent on a Craft Journey in the craft barn creating mosaic tiles, weaving with scrap material and painting stones. Also some very creative face and arm painting on each other. We enjoyed a lovely roast dinner before leaving for home.

 

At this year’s annual Christian Theatre Week run by theatre company Faith, hope & gaffertape – and supported by the United Reformed Church – 16 young people from across the UK, gathered in the village of Yardley Hastings in Northamptonshire, all thinking the same thing: that in less than a week, a full theatre in Northampton would be waiting to see their first performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.

After a whirlwind welcome the young people were straight into auditions. With just five days to prepare a show from scratch, there is no time to wait around! The following morning the cast list went up and rehearsals began in earnest. The Crossways in the community centre in Yardley Hastings, home of Yardley Hastings URC, was alive with creativity, excitement, hard work and determination. In the chapel, the band began to rehearse the music, the joyful notes of “Hosanna” drifting through the air. In the conference room, the cast choreographed one of the big dance routines, feet pounded the floor and the dance took shape. In the gallery room, the costumes were being fitted and paint and cardboard covered the floor as props and scenery were designed. On the stairs, people’s heads were buried in scripts, frantically learning lines. In the kitchen, the chefs rustled up a tasty lunch to keep everyone going during a busy afternoon of more of the same!

As the week progressed, something more important and more long lasting was happening too. The cast were in the process of making friendships and memories that may change their lives forever.

Caroline Flint, director of Faith, hope and gaffertape, said: “There was so much love in that place that it was surprising it didn’t burst. Round every corner it was spilling out in random acts of kindness and special moments between friends.”

During the daily worships, the cast focused on the key characters of the Easter story: Jesus, Judas, Mary, Peter, Caiaphas, Pilate and the crowd. The young people playing the roles offered their thoughts on the characters they were portraying with such wisdom and insight. It is hoped the young people found something of the closeness and love of God in those peaceful and reflective moments.

The final shows were a resounding success. The cast performed twice at The Cripps Hall Theatre in Northampton to packed audiences, many of whom were moved to tears by the powerful and honest portrayal of Jesus’ final week on earth. But amazing as the show was, there is so much more to Theatre Week than that final performance.

In the words of Mrs Flint: “It is the journey, the love, the fun, the sense of achievement and teamwork, the friendships and the life changing moments that make it what it is. It is a privilege to be part of it.”

Photo shows the full cast of Faith, hope and gaffertape’s performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.