We're going to be having an afternoon of prayer and worship on Saturday 30th June at Beeston Methodist Church... We have chosen the date and location deliberately, knowing full well that it clashes with the opening of Methodist Conference which is taking place at Nottingham University Campus that afternoon, a mile away as the crow flies!
We want to see young people coming together from across the District, to pray for the representatives of the Methodist Church from across the Connexion as they come together to hear reports and discuss issues that affect the whole church. We want to see young people praying for the building of the Kingdom of God in our country as a result of the decisions made. We want to see young people praying for the freedom of the Holy Spirit to move among his people. We want to see young people praying for the growth of their church...
... And we intend for Conference to know that they are being prayed for by our young people!
More than that, we'd love for this event to not only happen in Beeston, but for it to be rolled out across the Connexion, for young people to gather in Churches, Circuits and Districts up and down our nation, all intent on praying for the present and future of the Church...
Forget "Where two or three are gathered" for a second and imagine where hundreds, no, THOUSANDS of young people are united in pray, I truly believe God says "There am I"! The thought of thousands of young people "humbling themselves, and praying, and seeking God's face" and God hearing those prayers and answering mightily is one that gives me goosebumps even typing it!
Can you get excited with me?
Logistically we've got loads more to prepare, but there will be lots of different ways to pray throughout the afternoon, different people - young and old - leading slots of acoustic worship throughout the afternoon, we'll be able to live stream the opening of Conference so we can dip in and out of what is happening, we'll try and find a way of helpfully explaining what Conference is and why it's important that we pray, and we'll eat together, and we'll hopefully get a live stream available with people who are involved in Conference - we're in conversation with the current Youth President, Michael Pryke, and the Youth Conference reps - during their break.
... And we intend for Conference to know that they are being prayed for by our young people!
More than that, we'd love for this event to not only happen in Beeston, but for it to be rolled out across the Connexion, for young people to gather in Churches, Circuits and Districts up and down our nation, all intent on praying for the present and future of the Church...
Forget "Where two or three are gathered" for a second and imagine where hundreds, no, THOUSANDS of young people are united in pray, I truly believe God says "There am I"! The thought of thousands of young people "humbling themselves, and praying, and seeking God's face" and God hearing those prayers and answering mightily is one that gives me goosebumps even typing it!
Can you get excited with me?
Logistically we've got loads more to prepare, but there will be lots of different ways to pray throughout the afternoon, different people - young and old - leading slots of acoustic worship throughout the afternoon, we'll be able to live stream the opening of Conference so we can dip in and out of what is happening, we'll try and find a way of helpfully explaining what Conference is and why it's important that we pray, and we'll eat together, and we'll hopefully get a live stream available with people who are involved in Conference - we're in conversation with the current Youth President, Michael Pryke, and the Youth Conference reps - during their break.
Here's the outline for the structure of our gathering.
People will be free to come and go as they please, all we ask is that you sign in and out so we know who and how many are in the building at any one time.
2pm - 4pm, and 5pm - 7pm:
4pm - 5pm:
for an hour we will come together to:
People will be free to come and go as they please, all we ask is that you sign in and out so we know who and how many are in the building at any one time.
2pm - 4pm, and 5pm - 7pm:
- Various creative prayer activities designed to help us all to pray for ourselves, our church (locally, nationally and globally), and our world;
- A collective art project which we intend to deliver to Conference after our gathering, designed to encourage them that we are praying for them and for our shared church;
- A quiet café, where young people can have a drink and reflect in conversation about some of the themes covered in prayer activities, share anything they might feel they have heard in prayer, ask questions about the Methodist Church and what Conference is all about, and engage with others in collective prayer;
- An acoustic worship space to provide background music for meditation and prayer. Music to be provided by young people from across the District in 30 minute slots;
- A live stream to the opening of Conference (technology permitting) so that we can see what is happening on the campus.
4pm - 5pm:
for an hour we will come together to:
- Worship;
- Hear from a Conference Representative;
- Pray;
- Eat.
Save the date images:
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Prayer Stations:
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This incredible Labyrinth is being loaned to us by folks in Trent and Dove, having had it made for their "Thy Kingdom Come" events:
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More will follow, but please sign up below to stay up to date with the latest updates and resources, save the date and share the excitement with your young people:
