In July over 70 young people from all over the diocese gathered in the beautiful surroundings of Thornton College for another Lumos weekend. The theme of the weekend was ’identify’, which meant in talks and small group times we looked at what it means to identify with Christ and the global church community. Since Lumos was taking place at the same time as World Youth Day in Sydney the weekend was given an Australian theme and we tuned in with our group out there via video link-ups.

We asked Pete Emmott, youth worker in Berkhamsted to write about his experience of being a small group leader at Lumos.

This Lumos was the second I have been on, and I came because both Neil and Matt had persuaded me to come and lead worship for the weekends. I have quite a busy life, and both times I have driven up to the venue thinking “What am I doing with my weekend off…!?” It only usually takes seeing the other leaders however, to realise how much I am going to enjoy the coming weekend. That is probably the first indication that I am so at home at Lumos – in my line of work I have been involved with numerous weekends and events, and the Lumos Leadership Team made me feel like I had always been one of the group within about 5 minutes!

Lumos is like a river, flowing towards something. That something is different for everyone; whether it is a deeper relationship with God, a desire to feel connected with something broader than a regular Parish Mass, or just to be with people and be open about the fact there are doubts about God and the church. There is a real joy in the young people’s hearts, which is reflected in the way they care for and help each other to grow. In the small group discussions, in singing worship songs, and in banter at the dinner table, I have seen the face of our God who totally reveals mysteries to us. The mystery is how he can take 100 people and make them all feel like brothers and sisters, without any pressure or extreme moments or intense situations. The Lumos river flows along, and those who want to hop on and go faster and deeper can do so, whereas those who maybe need to reflect are able to take a moment by the shore, and it caters even for those who simply wish to dangle their feet in the water for a while – who need to be reminded that God is present in the world, and that he loves us.

Being a leader is an incredible privilege, and as I continue to walk this Lumos journey, I am excited about meeting more young people and riding the rapids with them, gently paddling the shallows, and drawing ever closer to the mystery that God is revealing to us more and more every day in Christ.

See our gallery for Lumos photos and read feedback from the participants.

Read about our plans of how to support young people on their walk with God in between Lumos weekends.

We designed a Lumos wallpaper for your computer! Follow the link to download it.

Want more of Lumos?
Following the recent success of lumos:identify, we are offering the Lumos experience to even more young people than ever before! In January 2009, we’ll be getting together in Northampton for Lumos: the word at the Kings Park Centre, meaning that we can accommodate those of you who ended up on the waiting list for the previous two weekends! With a weekend full of laughter and
learning, interactive discussions, small group activities and multi-media projects as well as reconciliation and Mass this is a opportunity not to be missed.

From the 16th – 18th January 2009, Lumos costs £75 if you book before 1st November and £85 afterwards. To book & find out more visit click here or call us on 01844 273337

Below you can watch our Lumos trailer