Four young people from Stocksfield Methodist Church played an integral role at 3Generate – the Methodist Church Children and Youth Assembly.
And one of them was even selected to be a national Methodist youth representative for social justice.
This year's national event took place at Birmingham NEC from 29th to 31st October with the theme being 'In Tune' with God and culminating with an opportunity to respond to God in terms of a personal covenant, during the final worship session.
The written covenants were symbolically placed in a physical boat (Peters), and the whole experience was a significant one for Luca, Becky, Tilly and Vita, of Stocksfield Methodist Church.
The event was organised as a town, with a park, Theatre Royale, town hall, games pitch, and wilderness – and even an inflatable chapel!
No fewer than 750 young people attended and there were so many events to choose from, including worship, meditation, art, music, debate – it was full on every minute and the food was fab too!
The group from Stocksfield were invited to be involved from the initial planning stages of 3Generate, in creating a specific venue, the Health and Wellbeing Centre.
Not only were they listened to, they were encouraged and supported to contribute right through to delivery on the weekend itself. A great inclusive and enriching model.
One of their suggestions, Therapy Dogs, proved to be a hugely popular event. They slept in tents inside the NEC and even managed to fit in a midnight feast!
They said: "Thank you to all the adults who made it possible for us to attend, for your prayers and support. We would absolutely love to come and tell you about our experiences in person. Do ask us. If there are any young people in your churches, central or on the margins we would also love to encourage and support them in any way we can."
Luca added: "3Genrate 2021 has been a life changing experience for me. I have connected with God in a much stronger and deeper way than before. 3Generate led me to apply to be a Social Justice Youth Rep (and be successful) for the national Methodist Connexion, part of my covenant to let God work through me"
Here is Luca's post election video (to introduce herself) as Social Justice Youth Rep to the National Methodist Connexion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNKxbaxgisw
If you would like to read more about this year's 3Generate please visit
https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/children-youth-family-ministry/events-including-3generate/3generate/more-about-the-event/what-happened-at-3generate-2021/
There is also a 3Generate App (iOS and Android) and 3Generate TV
https://www.youtube.com/user/3GenerateTV/feed
