March

U P D AT E April
2017

Share your weaknesses. Share your hard moments. Share your

real side. It'll either scare away every fake person in your life or it
will inspire them to finally let go of that mirage called "perfection,"
which will open the doors to the most important relationships you'll
ever be a part of.
Last week we took 10 leaders away on a retreat. The retreat lasted around
20 hours but felt like we had retreated for much longer. It was great to just
spend unhurried time with other youth and childrens leaders. It was great to
pray together, to have meals together, to end and begin our day together and
also to share where we have seen God in each one of our stories.
God said many things to each of us but what came across loud and clear for
me, besides needing to retreat more often, was how we are better leaders
when we are more honest with one another.
Now honest doesnt mean sharing every tiny detail of our lives but it does
mean shaking off the idea that we need to be perfect and sorted. I have also
heard a few times this past week about our need to be 'real' with one another
which I think is hugely linked to what I am talking about. If we can model, as
adults, honesty and real relationships, then this will encourage young people
to seek and offer the same. It can also only have a positive affect on our
ministry, to lay aside a worldly idea of relationships and seek to be real with
one another, to stick by one people no matter
what life brings. The quote above I have found
hugely encouraging as it really fits with my idea
of what a strong youth & children's ministry
should look like. We should be 'doing life' with
one nother, sharing stories, joys and challenges,
accepting our differences and seeking God
for one another. It should be clear to those
around us that we are investing ourselves in
our relationships because they matter to
us. This is what Paul spoke about his friend
Timothy:
'I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy
to you soon, that I also may be cheered
when I receive news about you. I have no one
else like him, who will show genuine concern for
your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ' - Phil 2:19-21
Thanks...
l We give thanks for the friendship, unity and support that exists among the
youth and childrens leaders from across our area

l We gives thanks for the addition of a couple of new trustees over the past
few months. At the end of last year we were joined by Anne and now we have
Hannah joining us. As we grow it is vital to have a greater pool of wisdom and
energy to help drive the ministry forward

Games, craft and 'God in Toy Story'

on our 7-10s Weekend Away
l The 7-10s Weekend was such a joy and we had so much fun. Not only did it
seem that the kids had a great time and learnt about God being their friend.
But as leaders and helpers we thoroughly enjoyed and
were blessed by serving alongside one another

l Mike has been hugely encouraged

this time through spending time
visiting churches, preaching and sharing
about 267.

l We have a shiny new website and

want to say a massive thanks to Dave for
sorting this for us.
Check it out: www.the267project.com

l We had an amazing time at our Fundraising Wine Tasting Evening and a

considerable amount of money was raised to further the work of 267. We give
thanks to all the team who worked so hard to make the event such a success.
We also give thanks to so many generous people who came and donated.

Thank you all!

l FUEL is great and such an encouragement. Young people preaching, young
people ministering to one another and youth groups coming together as one
Please...
l Pray for our Trustees Away day. Pray that this will be a significant time for the
wider team to be together

l We are really praying that God will speak to us about where we need to be
with our 267 office. With the growth of our team and in the people that want
to meet us we are finding our current space is not quite fit for purpose and we
would like a home we can grow into

TH E C
l Pray for Ben, our intern, as begins his final
month with us. Ben has been a joy and a
blessing to us and we shall miss him greatly. A New Conference for
RE
Youth and Childrens
Connecting Resourcin Ministry

Pray for him as he goes back to prepare for

g Encouraging Send
ing

Uni in Switzerland where he will be

studying music

l Please pray for the planning and

organising of our Core Conference for Youth
& Childrens Ministry

l Pray for Tracy our superb P.A. Tracy does

all those hidden things of ministry that no
one sees but we are aware of how vital she Keynote Speaker: Rac
Saturday 29th April
hel Gardner from You
thscape
9am 4pm For more info
is to what we do. Thank you Tracy.
Cost: 20 (inc lunch email Mike Palin:
and refreshments) directo
r@the267project.com
At Forest Town Church or go to www.t
Lyon Way, St Albans , he267project.com
AL4 0LB To book
email Tracy: pa@th
e267project.com

l Pray for Claire as she works on a

significant new piece of ministry for 267. We hope to be able to offer a
drop-in space for those young people struggling with anxiety and stress. Pray
for all Claires planning, for the volunteers she is gathering and for the right
venue to become available

l Mike is preaching a lot this term!

Some scripture that is encouraging us at the moment:

Exodus 33:13-14 'If you are pleased with me, teach me
your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour
with you. Remember that this nation is your people. The
Lord replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give
you rest.
Diary
l Wednesday 8th March Speaking
at Biggleswade Deanery Synod
evening
l Monday 13th March
Youthscape visit
l Monday 13th March
267 Trustees meeting
l Wednesday 15th March
Partnership with Younglife
l Monday 20th March 267 team
at Tough Stuff Course with STEP
(Tough Stuff is training to help young
people talk about grief and loss)
l Tuesday 21st March TTS at High
St Methodist Church Harpenden,
7.45pm-9.30pm. Theme: working
through grief and loss with young
people
l Sunday 26th March - Mike
preaching at Markyate Baptist Church
l Sunday 26th March Fuel at Christ
Church St Albans, 7pm-9pm
l Tuesday 28th March
Training with Hitchin Fuel network
l Wednesday 19th April
267 Trustees meeting
l Thursday 20th April
On retreat with Youthscape
If you would like to volunteer with
the267project then drop us an email
director@the267project.com or
pa@the267project.com Thanks
l Sunday 23rd April Fuel at High St
Methodist Harpenden, 7pm-9pm
THE C RE
Saturday 29th April
A New Conference for Youth and Childrens Ministry
Connecting Resourcing Encouraging Sending
l Saturday 29th April -
CORE Conference for Youth and
Childrens Ministry.
To book into The Core go to
www.goldengiving.com/event/
conference2017
Some important dates for
next term...
l This year is THE 10th
ANNIVERSARY
Keynote Speaker: Rachel OF Gardner
267! Watch out for
from Youthscape
Saturday 29th April 9am 4pm
a celebratory event, details coming
For more info email Mike Palin:
Cost: 20 (inc lunch and refreshments)
At Forest Town Church,
director@the267project.com
or go to www.the267project.com
soon.
Lyon Way, St Albans AL4 0LB To book email Tracy: pa@the267project.com
l 19th- 21st May 2017 Weekend
Away for school years 6&7