Dear Supporter
Firstly, thank you for your commitment to praying for and supporting the work of Regenerate. We are sorry that this newsletter has been a long time coming – we know it is well overdue!
Goodbye and Thank You, Val!
You may have already heard that near the end of 2015, Val MacFarlane, who has worked for Regenerate for over 10 years as our Secondary School leader, decided it was time for a change and so she resigned and has since moved on to pastures new. We held an afternoon tea for Val to show our thanks and appreciation for all her hard work and commitment to Regenerate. We wish her well in her new job.
Changes to Secondary School work
Over the past 18 months we have seen a steady decline in the numbers attending our lunchtime groups at Secondary school, to the point where in Sept/Oct 2015 we only had a couple of children arrive at one of the clubs, out of the 3 Secondary schools. The climate in Secondary schools has changed, particularly relating to fears of radicalisation and the ‘Prevent’ duty set out by the Government.
We had been taking guidance from Val over the past year with regards to the Secondary work and she confirmed that it was becoming much more challenging to be in Secondary schools doing the work we have traditionally been doing. It had also been a struggle to promote the groups to the pupils and to get children to attend.
All these factors have led us to a point now where we are currently not working in any of the 3 Secondary schools in Yate & Chipping Sodbury. We are taking this temporary withdrawal as an opportunity to prayerfully consider how our work may develop in the future with them. We would also appreciate your prayers.
Primary Work
We are pleased to say that our Primary work is going from strength to strength! Les and our team of volunteers have been into the Primary schools taking assemblies this term with an Easter theme (Palm Sunday, Good Friday & Easter Sunday). An answer to prayer has been our return into Woodlands Primary Phase (YIA). Les is finding an increasingly warm welcome there and enthusiasm for our visits.
We have 3 lunchtime CRASH and Crafty clubs running; on a Monday at Tyndale, Wednesday at Raysfield Infant and Thursday at Raysfield Junior. We also have 11 children, across 3 schools being mentored through the Accompanying Project.
Easter Experience
Easter is an exciting time in our Regenerate calendar. It is such a privilege again this year to be able to share the Easter story with so many children and teachers and for them to have time to discover the true meaning of Easter. As you read this newsletter preparations are being finalised and our team of volunteers are ready to lead their activities at Chipping Sodbury Baptist church on Monday 21st, St Nic’s on Tues 22nd and Yate Methodist on Wed 23rd March. The activities are based on ‘Sharing our sorrows’, ‘Servant King’, ‘Remember Me’, ‘Hopes and Dreams’ and ‘Alone’. Please pray for the children and staff attending that their eyes and ears may be open to the Easter story and for Les and his team as they lead their activities.
Looking Forward
Les is talking with the Head teacher’s at St John’s Mead and St Mary’s school about developing a Prayer Space within their schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for Regenerate to share in the lives of these schools.
We are always looking to recruit new volunteers so that our work can grow. If you or anyone you know in your church feels they would like to get involved, then please do contact Les Fry and he will be more than happy to talk to you about the possible opportunities.
Welcoming new Trustees
Thank you to Mike Philpotts, who joined the Trustees at our AGM. Mike has been a Trustee for Regenerate in the past and still volunteers for us, working with children in our schools.
We also welcome Chris Andrew to our Trustee team! Chris heads up the organisation ‘Roaring Rugby’, who provides PE lessons, after school clubs and sports camps for Primary school children. He works in some of the schools in our area. We are hoping he may bring some ideas of how we could incorporate sport into the work of Regenerate.
Enjoy shopping and raising ‘free’ money!
We have recently signed up to easyfundraising.org.uk. You can register Regenerate (regenerateys) as your ‘cause’ and every time you log into Easyfundraising and then follow a link to the retailer you want to make a purchase with, you raise a % of the amount spent for us. It doesn’t cost you any more money! Log in to easyfundraising.org.uk or have a look at our website for more details www.regenerate.btck.co.uk.
Prayer Points
Please pray for our school communities:
· Pray for staff in positions of leadership facing tough decisions especially in this climate where there is a fear of radicalisation.
· Pray for teachers struggling with challenging behaviour and heavy workloads.
· Pray particularly for children who are finding school difficult.
· Pray that our schools will be caring communities where each person is valued regardless of their abilities or behaviour.
Please pray for the work of Regenerate:
· For the Easter Experience, that the true message of Easter may be heard by our children and for the team of volunteers leading it.
· For preparations for the primary assemblies taking place next term.
· Thank God that we have been able to go back into Woodlands Primary Phase.
· For children attending the CRASH and Crafty clubs, supporting children who struggle with confidence and self esteem.
· For the children being supported through the Accompanying Project, that their transition into Secondary school may be a smooth and peaceful one.
· For God to show us a clear direction for our Secondary schools work.
· For continuing support from our churches. Also thanks to our churches and individuals who support our work financially.
· Thank God for bringing us new Trustees!