 ‘Lumos: identify’ was a great weekend with nearly 100 young people from across the diocese. The date coincided with World Youth Day in Sydney so it was inevitable that we had an Australian feel to the event with a ‘Bruce’ and ’Sheila’ appointed each day and a crocodile, a kangaroo and a cork hat incorporated into our stage set! We even had link ups each day with the group who were out there.
Our time began with a talk by Pam on ‘identify with Christ’ where we heard about her changed identity since her accident and how we should be like sticks of rock – with Jesus running right through every part of us! We split in to our small groups for the weekend to reflect on how we identify with Christ. We stayed in these groups for the weekend and it was here we made our new friends. For our night prayer we sat in a circle in the darkness and Neil guided our thoughts.
The next day Paul Niemiec (an Anglican priest and youth officer) talked about identifying with the community and the world using all sorts of interactive weird and wonderful tools. Who will forget that rainbow cape he wore – or when he blew up a giant cube with a hair dryer? In the afternoon we played football, rounders, frisbee, swimming, craft or simply sat around in the beautiful grounds chatting and laughing together - or planning for out Talent Show which was later in the evening. But before that Bishop Peter and other priests came for our thoughtful Reconciliation service which was led by CAFOD on the theme of ‘live simply’.
On Sunday we were joined by 100+ other young people who had come for Festos. We enjoyed the main speaker John Bell (from the Iona community) the various workshops, 5-a-side footie, the music with CJM and the Mass led by the Bishop. After our guests had left, Tooza Crowd performed a concert just for us. They were very funny and we laughed til we ached! This was followed by our Testimony service when 4 young people movingly shared testimonies about their own faith. For night prayer we sat around a map of the world with a candle on each continent and several people prayed.
On Monday Neil gave us a talk on how to live as Christians when we get home with 5 ‘be’s’. We had our last time of worship together. The music all weekend was led by Pete along with others on guitars, drums and even a brass section! You were great guys. But all things come to an end and sadly we had to say goodbye … until ‘Lumos: the word’ in January the word. Why not join us?
See the photo gallery for pictures! |
