Its A Youth Project! But Not As We Know It!..
T
ake a dash of zany humour, a spoonful of enthusiasm and quite a few creative ideas and mix with a monthly cross church event for youngsters and what have you got? The Gathering. Run with others by Beechen Cliff's full time youth worker, Steve Moore - who also feature's on the event's webpage's humourous videos!.. This event aims to help youngsters aged from 11 to 21 experience 'church'! Find out more.
(PICTURES: THE GATHERING IN FULL SWING,
Steve Moore tells us about his role and this exciting developing cross-church event.. which takes place at Ascension Church on the last Sunday of each month. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information!
Tell us about your role please?
I’m full time worker at Beechen Cliff youth project, my role in ‘The Gathering’ has essentially been to get the ball rolling. For a while now there has been talk about setting up an event where young people from various churches in and around Bath can all meet together and worship. I decided to get things moving, talk is pointless-action is what’s needed!
What is the inspiration behind The Gathering as a regular monthly project?
The inspirations behind ‘The Gathering’ are the pockets of young people scattered around various churches in Bath. They are being faithful to their churches and 
getting stuck in, but we felt such an event would be a boost of encouragement for them - to meet together with guys of similar age to them, and experience ‘church’ aimed specifically at them. ‘The Gathering’ will also be a great opportunity to bring along mates with little to no experience of church and be confident that it won’t put them off for life!
Was it your idea?
As I have mentioned its not my idea, its an idea many have talked about for years, but I am part of a team from various churches across Bath who are making it a reality!
What happens at The Gathering?
The Gathering will involve live entertainment/comedy videos, a brilliant live band leading worship and a contemporary speaker to challenge and inspire. The first Gathering will have worship led by Colse Leung (Worship leader at Woodlands, Bristol) and a talk by Mike Williams (Suburbs Church).
Who is it for? Who is it aimed at? What age range etc?
This is an event open to all young people from 11-21. (If you don’t quite fit into that category don’t worry, we won’t be throwing you out!)
Would a young person feel comfortable coming along alone?
The Gathering is something you could certainly turn up to alone; as we are confident the atmosphere and ethos of the event will be all about community and unity. Youth workers from around the area will be on hand to welcome you and make you feel comfortable.
What do youngsters learn from the gathering?
They learn a couple of things.
1. They are not alone. Sometimes when you are in a church where not much is happening for young people or there are only a handful of you it can feel like you are the only Christians in the area.
2. Church is all about people NOT a building!
The Gathering is not an event owned by one particular church or denomination but rather a bunch of churches from the area standing together and working in unity - a beautiful (and often rare) thing!
What are your plans and hopes for it as it develops?
The plan is for this to be a monthly meeting, always on the last Sunday of each month. My hope is that it becomes something of use to the youth of Bath, something they feel they belong to and have a say in.
Numbers are talked about a lot - I’m not particularly fussed about numbers to be honest. If this is helpful to a few, and encourages them in their faith then in my opinion its worth more than gold!
Is the Gathering more crucial now - in today's society?
I think events that make God accessible and relevant are always crucial.
Anything else you would like to say?
To the churches of Bath: Please support this all you can - get your young people along, and get your churches praying-God is moving and we’re excited!
Find out more about The Gathering!
Watch the comedic videos linked with The Gathering
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