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Inside Out –Christian Rock Band at St Thomas’ (1992) (April 1992 edition of the magazine) A Christian Rock Group came to St. Thomas' on February 2nd. The group called 'Inside Out' consists of 5 members playing keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals. They attracted a large crowd, I was interested to see that there were non Christians as well as Christians of all ages. We were doubtful about the music of the group but were pleasantly surprised when they performed their first number. Listening to the music I realised that the songs related to the youth of today, especially the song about worshipping money and God: how it is only possible to worship one and not both. Since there were non Christians present, the song that I thought was most relevant to the evening was called 'Empty' because it describes how someone's life is incomplete without the light of the Lord. I think that Christian rock bands are a good way of getting the message of Jesus across to young people because it is their style of music and they are more likely to take notice of it. I know I did. Matthew Travis On 2nd February played at St. Thomas' Church to CYFA and Pathfinders. Inside Out are a Christian Pop Group. They played a variety of different songs all with a Christian message. The songs were very good as they made you think about the way you live and were especially relevant to teenagers living in today's society. Everybody thought it was great fun, especially when the lead singer came on with a motor bike helmet on, or with money pinned to his jumper. Pathfinders and CYFA would like to see INSIDE OUT again! Kate and Sarah Dawson Diocesan Youth Celebration, with the Archbishop of Canterbury (1992) (June 1992 edition of the magazine) "Journey into Life" We were ushered into Derby Assembly Rooms main auditorium. It was packed full of young Christians and youth leaders. On the stage a Christian band called 'Transport of Delight' were playing some of their music which ended with, 'Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here". After we had worshipped together we watched a sketch which highlighted the difficulties of following Jesus into the unknown. After singing the hymns 'Come on and celebrate' and 'I want to serve the purpose of God', the Archbishop gave his sermon. He started by saying how he had made the ultimate sacrifice to get to Derby, by giving up his FA Cup Final ticket. However, he confessed, if Arsenal had been playing... His sermon rested on the fact that we are all special and individual; indeed, he said, 'God never leaves the same set of fingerprints twice'. He went on to tell us about the difficulties of following Jesus, and how it wasn't as easy as people would have us believe. After the sermon, we were taught to 'sign' (using sign language for the deaf) to the last hymn. The Archbishop was delighted by this and asked to do it again after the blessing. We went outside and the whole group was introduced to the Archbishop. He was very approachable and friendly and enjoyed having his photo taken with lots of people. When we had finished hob-nobbing with the Archbishop we went to Darley Park for lunch and a game of cricket, in which Jonathan Jee was bowled out second hall. All in all the day was great. The Archbishop's sermon was clear and interesting and he delivered his message to the teenagers of Derbyshire perfectly. The music was joyous and the hymns totally uplifting. Jonathan Brassington United We Stand -An Overnight Youth Event in Derby Cathedral (1995) (June 1995 edition of the magazine) When: Friday 5th - Saturday 6th May 8.30pm - 8.30am Where: Derby Cathedral Who: Nearly 120 young people from all around the diocese organised by Chris Dyer What: A whole series of workshops and activities throughout the night, interspersed with vibrant and sometimes reflective (including Taize) time of worship. There was everything from helping the homeless on the streets of Derby by dishing out soup, to making a short programme about the event for Radio Derby, which was broadcast early on Sunday morning. This was what Alistair Gordon, Jonathan Cooper and myself opted for, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The general feedback, as we interviewed people for our workshop during the night was very good. We had the privilege of using Radio Derby's editing facilities (primitive though they may be - cut and stick the tapes together!) which was greatly appreciated. Everyone went for a walk at 4.00am with breakfast at 5.00am. At 7.30am we had the final worship session, where people from each workshop gave their version of what had happened. May we express our thanks to Sheila, both for running a workshop and for ferrying us there and back. Jonathan Calow The Time of our Lives (June 1999 edition of the magazine) Sophie Jacques writes about the Archbishop of Canterbury's Youth Event for the Millennium On Friday 30 April 1999, 33 of us from the Diocese ventured down to London, to partake in the Archbishop of Canterbury's youth event, in preparation for the millennium. After dropping our bags off at our designated modern, no draughts Church Hall, St John's Stratford, we headed off to our opening meeting at the Royal Albert Hall, presented by non other than ex-Blue Peter presenter, Diane-Louise Jordan! We worshipped with the aid of various groups including the incredibly soulful London Community Gospel Choir. After a few hours sleep we headed off again to attend our morning sessions in Westminster. The topics varied from 'Reclaiming chastity in a sex-mad society' to 'Dance to the music'. After lunch there were more seminars as well as some free time to shop and to sightsee, of which we did both!! In the evening there was a range of activities laid on, including the Comedy Club, a concert by Courtney Pine and Compline, all at Lambeth Palace. On Sunday morning we worshipped alongside the congregation of St John's Church, Stratford and we were made to feel extremely welcome. Following a picnic lunch, we trekked across London to a Garden Party at Lambeth Palace with the Archbishop of Canterbury. He provided great fun, food and fellowship! At 5pm we set off on a March of Faith across London to our places of evening worship. 4000 youth practically sprinted across London in the most powerful portrayal of God's love we have ever seen. Most of our group went to St Paul's Cathedral to Soul Survivor, with worship led by Matt Redman (Petra and I even managed to get his autograph!!) Mike Pilavachi spoke on worship within our churches and of how it is not for ourselves, it is for the Glory of God and therefore is a form of sacrifice - powerful stuff! On Monday morning we packed up and went to the final Eucharist at Lambeth Palace. Highlights and things we learnt were:
Sophie Jacques CYFA Weekend Away 2002 (June 2002 edition of the magazine) In March over 70 of us descended on Quinta in Shropshire for a weekend of worship, teaching, fun and friendship. This is a regular weekend event, which happens every 6 months and involves a number of different churches. The team leading the spiritual input were from St Thomas' Crookes in Sheffield. The message was from Daniel and it focussed on living life in a difficult environment. The team that came were enormous (about 17) and they covered all the teaching, worship leading and small groups (They even had a couple of DJ's with them). Hannah Willis from Cyfa said, "I found the weekend inspirational, I'm glad I went, can't wait to go again in the future." The weekend also involved a trip to Shrewsbury and a hike or video on the Saturday night. The next weekend is already being organised, and looks like being as great as the previous ones have been. Neil Roper Joining 'The Tribe' (February 2003 edition of magazine) I didn't think I’d like rap music, especially as it was the preferred listening of my troublesome neighbour (long since departed). However, during a service at St Thomas's, they played a video clip of a Christian rap crew called The Tribe, advertising their forthcoming gig at the Winding Wheel. Simultaneously fascinated and appalled, I went along, out of the same sort of curiosity that got me going to church in the first place. As I entered the Winding Wheel, the music was so loud it almost thrust me back onto the street. But there were people there of all ages, which made it less intimidating for one whose last remaining ambition is to collect his pension from the local post office, before they finally shut it down. The Tribe burst onto the stage in a blaze of razzmatazz. They weren't playing instruments: the days of groups like The Beatles are over, and the backing is all pre-recorded. This music is about style, and swagger; and I can report that it is hugely entertaining. The Tribe are from Manchester, where they visit local schools, preaching the gospel and trying to steer the kids away from drugs. My only thought was “if they can't do it, who on earth can?” I don't remember Christians ever using rock music without diluting it and making it sound prissy. The Tribe, by contrast, seem to have found a way of embracing the whole rap attitude and investing it with a Christian urgency. My favourite song was “God made me funky,” which was played against a background of South Park-style graphics. It sounded like a young person's celebration of him/herself, whilst acknowledging God's place in creating everything: its simplicity was its genius. Each member of the crew took it in turns to address the audience on the subject of Jesus, and we were promised, without any apparent irony, a “wicked” party in heaven! Jane Simmonds Pathfinders Weekend at Edale (August 2003 edition of the magazine) This years Pathfinders weekend was a great time of fun, laughter and adventure. We spent the weekend at the Peak Centre in Edale, surrounded by countryside and chickens and led by Neil and Amanda Roper and Paula Simons, while Janet Bradbury prepared the lovely food. We spent the weekend doing ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire?’ and other games as well as using the craft room. We played volleyball and even had an outdoor talent show round the campfire. There was a strong spiritual side to the weekend, where we looked at ‘How do you become a Christian?’ and ‘How do you live as a Christian?’ We had some really good discussions, and a chance to get closer to God. The highlight of the weekend was a trip to Doncaster, which was on the Saturday. We travelled on the train to Sheffield, then Doncaster and finally by taxi to The Dome. We went swimming and ice-skating, separated by a trip to McDonalds, before returning to the Peak centre to watch the Truman Show. One of the Pathfinders commented, ‘It was great fun to be with friends for the weekend, the trip to Doncaster was great.’ Having deposited everybody home and returned the minibus, thoughts turn to next year. The weekend is already booked and will be the 11th – 13th June 2004. See you there! Neil Roper |