Is a discussion group for young people, to meet and talk about things that you are worried about or just talk about things that you are interested in; to have fun with silly sketches, dramas, mimes, games, art & music, to go on visits, trips and holidays as friends and to plan and lead monthly services.
We Meet On
Sunday Evenings from 6.00pm. - 7.30pm. at The Vicarage, Portskewett
for more details contact
YES 5th BIRTHDAY PARTY
[Youth Eucharist Service]
It’s always nice when friends get together to mark a birthday, and the birthday party at St Woolos Cathedral on 22nd February was particularly special. Y.E.S. was 5 years old and we were going to celebrate in style. As always preparations began months in advance of the event. Music was chosen – some familiar classics and some new material, readings were selected and the liturgy prepared.
Following the huge success of the YES residential course last year, a “YES day” was held at the end of January. Old hands and new recruits alike joined together to learn the music, practice drama skills and generally have a good time worshipping the Lord together. Friendships were made and strengthened and excitement grew that this was going to be the best yet– though the last 3 songs did need some work ;-).
Due to the logistical differences to other YES events the majority of the singers were leading from within the congregation, with a few hardy souls at the front. With so much to get through, rehearsal time flew by. Sarah and the two Mike’s led our music and the inimitable Jenny Hood put us through our paces in drama, readings and choral speaking. Before we knew it, the day had arrived. Much hard work had been put in on many fronts, and now things were coming together. An email from Pam the day before told us that Rev’d Peter Ball, Youth Advisor to the Church of England was going to be there ...no pressure then!
Before the service the Cathedral bells were rung by members of the Llandaff and Monmouth “Kids Ring Out” group, which celebrated its own 5th birthday on January 1st. Following some words of welcome from the Dean and from Pam – (without whom none of this would be happening), all the Guides and Scouts, past and present marked “thinking day” by renewing their promises. Later on, all baptised Christians were invited to renew their own baptismal promises.
A stirring rendition of “One Church, One Faith, One Lord” brought the cathedral alive and got YES 20, the 5th birthday underway. The worship leader was Isaac Pritchard from Abergavenny. In a former YES guise he’d made a very convincing Satan – proof that we can all change. Bishop Dominic celebrated the Eucharist, and everyone present played their part in a unique worship experience. Particular thanks are due to Sarah for her sermon, it was just as a sermon should be; long enough to cover everything, but short enough to maintain interest. Communion time moved very efficiently, and at this time people were invited to dip their fingers in 7 bowls of water, symbolically cleansing themselves of prejudice, cynicism, expectations, grudges, guilt, pride, gossip, - reminiscent of Naaman washing himself 7 times in the Jordan, to be cured of leprosy which had been the subject of the drama. There was also an opportunity to receive anointing.
All too soon the service was drawing to a close, 6 cakes were brought forward charting the history of YES, with a special one for the cathedral the candles (conventional and roman) were lit and Happy Birthday was sung. We also officially welcomed Bishop Dominic to the YES team, presenting him with his own hoodie.
A wide range of musical styles had been used in the service, from the rousing to the more contemplative; the last 3 songs however were completely different; we all know that the Cathedral is in need of a new roof, and these songs were designed to help take the old one off!!!!! “Shackles,” “This Day was made by the Lord,” and “I’m Trading my Sorrows” resounded around that building, in which people had been worshipping for 1000 years, quite literally taking the breath away – the atmosphere; which had been electric throughout the service, was just indescribable by that point.
There are so many people that need to be thanked it’s not possible to do it justice here; the technical team, the music and drama tutors and the young people themselves all worked together to produce a fabulous event, which we hope went some way to reminding everyone that;
GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME,
AND ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!!!!
Nick
