Happy Christmas from us all at Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ. Thank you so much for your prayers and support over the last year. Here is a summary of all we have been up to, in the run up to Christmas.

We hosted a Prayer Space at St Gregory’s School which year 7 came to for their RE Lessons at the beginning of December. They had lots of different activities they could complete which looked at different themes from the Nativity story. Activities looked at welcoming everyone, their hopes and dreams, saying sorry and praying for peace for the world. The pupils said they felt happy, relaxed, welcome, peaceful and calm in the prayer space, held in the school chapel.

The young people who attend the after school drop-in at The Youth Centre have been making Christmas crafts and have been able to spend time in the prayer space which was turned into a stable, complete with sawdust, crib and baby Jesus.

The last Unite Youth of the year was attended by nearly 50 young people from 11 churches in the area and from The Youth Centre. We heard a great message from Stuart about the real meaning of Christmas and then enjoyed pizza, hot dogs, football, craft and a silent disco!

We have also shared a Christmas assembly at The Wells Free School as well as speaking about and celebrating Christmas at all our usual clubs and chaplaincy work. As we move into the Christmas holidays and on to 2024 please pray: for those young people at Unite who made a commitment to Jesus, that this Christmas will be extra special. for those families we know from The Youth Centre where money is tight and Christmas will be a struggle. for staff and volunteers to have a restful Christmas. for staff as they travel to the British Youth for Christ conference in early January – and for our trustees and volunteers opening the drop-in that week!

Dates for your diary! You are warmly invited to our supporter prayer meetings, held at The Youth Centre once a month. These are a chance for staff and supporters to gather together to pray for our work and those we meet and to listen for God’s guidance for the future. Wednesday 17th January Wednesday 28th February Wednesday 27th March We meet at 12.30pm, bring your lunch and we will provide drinks.