Monday 12th December was a special stepping stones afternoon as it was the cre8 for Christmas day. In total we had 7 toddlers with two younger ones there as well. The stepping stones group made some fantastic crafts and they all took part in the telling of the Christmas story. They also got a special gift to take home with them as well.

All the mothers and carers also hade fun chatting and making their own crafts as well. I hope they all have a very merry christmas

REFRESH CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!!!!

Tuesday 13th December Refresh communty church had a christmas party!!! It was such a fab night and many people turned up to have a bring and share meal and many chirstmas games. Everyone also brought a secret santa pressie worth £1. A very special christmas elf came around with the bag of presents and handed them out as santa couldn't be there ha ha ha.

A huge thank you to everyone who made it down as we had a wonderful night and it couldn't have been done without all of you xx

what a year

Hello everyone. What a fab first few months I've had with the grafted project. I've done the year out with grafted this year and its allowed me to experience all aspects of the projected and allowed me to see God at work in all sorts of ways.

Cant wait to see what the new year has in store for me.

things to look out for include:

spree's

new wine

taking deeper to Soul Survivor

and moving back to Bath

Bowling and meal

On the 14th December it was that time again for the day out for the Grafted Christmas meal except this year we done it a bit different!!!!

This year we decided to go bowling and then for a lunch time meal. Everyone seemed to have a fab time from bowling, winning surfs, secret santa presents and such an amazing meal, to me the day couldn't get any better. Three of the lads dressed up in santa outfits, can you guess who they are???

Grafted Walk

Last week on the 7th December Paul Little, Paul Smith, Elaine Little, Julie Thomson, Jodi Wakefield, Mary Mitchell, Jake Little, Luke Hubball and two dogs walked from Julie's land to Keilder. We all had a fab time on that walk which also included people throwing snowballs and certain people tackling others into the snow. We all had such a fab time that it is a shame to see the snow go ha ha ha.

Afterwards we all returned to Julie's for some georgous sandwiches!!!!

Merry Christmas! Julie's update...

May you know God's blessing this Christmas time and throughout 2012.

Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Christmas Party today 4-6.30pm - lots of fun planned. Stepping Stones had their Cre8 4 Christmas on Monday - lovely to see 3 new children. Glitter galore and some fabulous Christmas crafts created by both parents and children.

A mad busy week - but things are slightly slowing down.. 55 Minute church on Sunday was brilliant! Jake was quiz master extraordinaire! Thanks to all who helped and who came along.

Refresh christmas Party on Tuesday night - apart from the storm we braved to get there, it was a lovely night. Next Refresh Meeting on Tuesday 20th for a Christmas reflection evening. Refresh meet again in the New Year on January 10th. Paul Little will be leading.

Grafted staff Christmas "do" yesterday - Bowling and a meal at carlisle was brilliant! Didn't know we had so many professional bowlers on the team!

and from me.... thanks to everyone who has supported Grafted over the last year, in particular the kids work and the volunteers. We have had a blast! It will be an interesting and very sad 2012 as we prepare to say goodbye to the Littles :( Exciting to see what the Lord has in store for us all though. Have a fantastic Christmas break everyone!

CLAN BORDERS

Clan Borders ran by Clan Gathering www.clangathering.org.uk is at Burnfoot Community School on 23-34 September 2011

Speakers Jonathan Couper and Jim Ritchie. Worship led by Phill Mellstrom

Costs are £25 for whole weekend

Friday evening 18:00 - 21:00 £10

Saturday 9.00 - 17:15 £15

Sat evening 18:30 - 21:00 £10

Contact your local church to book .

Soul Survivor

This year I am very pleased to say that we took a group down to Soul Survivor. There was 3 leaders and 9 young people. It was a fantastic time at Shepton Mallett near Bath where the weather was actually sunny for a while (though there was a little rain there too)

During the week there it really challenged those who had faith and got those thinking who didn't. The whole group took part in different seminars during the day and attended the main meeting as well where we had to endure bad jokes from the speakers Mike Pilivachi and Andy Croft, their talks were a lot better though. During the week there was also bands playing - LZ7, 29th Chapter and Dweeb were just a few and Matt Redman also made an appearance during a few main meetings.

I am also happy to say that on the last main meeting 3 of the young people that Grafted took down made commitements in front of everyone there (around 12,000 people) and they are carrying on asking questions and growing in their faith.

We are also looking at going back down for soul survivor next year but for now here are a few pictures that were taken whilst there this year

SPREE!!!!

Spree which was held 17th-19th June was a fantastic weekend. Grafted group took 33 young people up to Whithaugh Park and everyone had a great time even when it was raining!!! It really got the young people that we took up to think alot more about their faith and asked the leaders any qestions that they had.

I am pleased to add that no-one got washed out of their tents this year even though they did get just that little bit muddy!!

Everyone is looking farward to Spree in the borders next year :)

Congratulations on your new home!

Lee and Claire Musson move into their new home today in Holmfoot! Congratulations guys - we hope you will be very happy there (and your new puppy too :) XX

Whats happening in September at Refresh??

Thursday 1st Sept - Refresh Leadership meeting 10am
Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew Crazy Games 3.30 - 5pm No8 Club
Friday 2nd Marys Teas 3-5pm No8 Club
and also 8 till 10 Coffee Bar for 14-19year olds in No8 Club
Sunday 4th Sept - 55minute church from 4pm in the No8 Club...the theme will be LOST
Monday 5th Sept and each Monday thereafter - Stepping Stones 2-3pm in No8 Club
Thu 8th and each Thursday thereafter Boulder Gang 3.30-4.30pm and Rock Solid Crew 5-6pm
Sunday 11th Deeper from 6pm - 9pm and every sunday thereafter at 3 Whitchester Lane
Tuesday 6th Sept and 20th Sept Home Groups
Tuesday 13th Sept and 27th Sept Worship and Teaching from 7pm in No8
Tues 20th Sept And God Made Eve from 7.30pm in No8

Deeper

With a new school year and with some young people moving up in to S1 we have a few new members that we can welcome to Deeper on a Sunday night - Toby Little and Brandon Thompson. At the last Deeper meeting we had 8 young people there and we had a good laugh recreating a modern version of the Lost Son. It was great to see everyone working together and really getting into the parable. We are working on this parable for 55 minute church where we will be able to act it out in front of everyone (hopefully the leaders will be taking part too but you will have to wait and see for that).
All of S1 are welcome to came along to Deeper so if you are a young person looking into learning more about Jesus and the bible then please come along and join in

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Evans !!!!

Owain's getting hitched! Woo hoo... Our lovely Owain Evans who used to be a part of the leadership of Refresh is getting married tomorrow :) to the beautiful Vicky! Congratulations to both of you , much love from all your brothers and sisters in Christ at Refresh XX

And God Made Eve

AMAZING evening on Tuesday night at And God Made Eve led by Sarah Oliver - the theme was light and shining like lights in a dark world. We created some beautiful canvas art and had a fab time...21 of us there...we are expanding!! God is GOOOOOOOD :)

Bye Bye Claire Bear :(

We are very sorry to say bye bye to Claire Morrison who moves to Ireland from Whithaugh Park to begin college.there. Exciting times ahead Claire...we will miss you very much at Refresh and look forward to seeing you in the New year :)

New Cafe Bar

There is a new cafe bar at the No.8 fortnightly on a Friday night 8pm-10pm. It is for 14-19 year olds who would like to come over, chillout and have a cup tea, coffee and biscuits. It has been decorated and set out to help you relax and have a good time. There will be good music to listen to from the music channels along with the pool table, basket ball and and nintendo wii which you can have a go at as well.
The next Cafe Bar is on the 2nd September so please come along and check it out.

Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew

New school term already and lots of our Boulder Gangers moving up to Rock Solid Crew! Big changes ahead and lots of excitement too! We kick off with Crazy Games on Thursday 1st September from 3.30-5pm...not fun games, not messy games....CRAZY GAMES!!!!! Invitations about to go out to all the new P1's and P4's especially! We hope to see lots of newbies :)

Also at the Crazy Night there will be chance for the young people to ask questions and help plan the next session with lots of activities that they want to do. We love new and exciting ways to worship God!........watch this space and see what happens.......................................

Stepping Stones open day

We are very excited to kick off our new term with a Stepping Stones Open day on Monday 29th August from 1.30-3pm. Invitations have gone out to every family in Newcastleton with a child aged 2-4 years - it's really exciting to see who will come along. The theme will be Jonah and the Big Fish - and we will be creating lots of fish themed crafts and probably making lots of mess too! There will be an optional chill out area for parents to enjoy and also opportunity to ask questions about Stepping Stones and chat to the team.

And God Made Eve...Ladies weekend!

Spree

Spree in the Borders is back again this year on the 17th-19th June and aim to have wild adventures and fun, activities, making new friends and have challenging talks about God and you.

If you want a weekend of riotous fun, doing a huge range of activities then Spree is the place for you. Activities include a giant zip wire, abseiling, zorbing, ear wax modelling, archery, grass sledging, crafts, canoeing, swimming and much much more. The cost for this weekend will be £47 which is includes camping in a tent (provided) and fantastic food all weekend. Last year we had the biggest group and we aim to do it this year as well.

If you are 8 years old and upwards and you want to join us on a fantastic weekend then please contact Julie or Jodi on 75013

April Dates

Refresh Community Church News

Worship and Teaching on the 12th and 26th April from 7pm in the No.8 Club - everyone welcome

Ladies Group
And God Made Eve, (ladies only) Tuesday 5th April in the No.8 Club from 7:30pm - come and explore you faith through being creative

Home goups from 7:30pm onwards on the 19th April (for ladies - please ring 75013 for venues 0 and 3 Whitchester Lane (for men) on the 5th and 19th April

Easter Events:-
Stepping Stones Easter Eggstravanganza Monday 18th April. For 2-4 year olds and their parents/carers.
Come snd share lunch with us from 1pm - followed by Easter crafts and games

Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew Easter Adventure Thursday 21st April 4-6pm
Meet at the No.8 Club at 4pm (please wear warm clothes and wellies/outdoor shoes) Food will be provided

Deeper (for S1 upwards) every Sunday in April from 6pm at 3 Whitchester Lane. For any more information please contact Jodi Wakefield on 75013

March Dates

Refresh main meeting on Tuesdays 1st, 15th and 29th March from 7pm in the No.8 Club - everyone welcome

Ladies group
And God Made Eve, (ladies only) Tuesday 8th March in the No.8 Club from 7:30pm - come and explore your faith through being creative

Home groups from 7:30pm onwards on the 22nd March (for ladies - please ring 75013 for venues) and 3 Whitchester Lane (for men) on the 8th and 22nd March

Groups for children and young people
Stepping Stones for 2-4 year olds and their parents and carers every Monday in March from 2-3pm in the No.8 Club
Come along for an hour of fun and games, crafts, stories and songs. Parents come along and join in the fun or chill out with a cuppa and a cake!

Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew every Thursday in March at the No.8 Club - Boulder Gang is for P1-3 from 3:30-4:30pm and Rock Solid Crew is for P4-7 from 5-6pm. Everyone Welcome - Please contact Julie, Jodi or Luke for a consent form if you haven't been before.

Deeper (for S1 upwards) every Sunday in March from 6pm at 3 Whitchester Lane. For any more information please contact Jodi Wakefield on 75013

Bouldergang and Rock Solid Christmas party

As you can see, it looked like everyone had a great time at the party, especially as they saw a leader get covered in gunge......poor Luke

Mince Pie Making with Liddesdale Parish Church

Some photos of our Mince pie making evening! Mince pies and calendars were delivered throughout the village as a small gift to bless the community from both Churches.

And God Made Eve...Ladies weekend!

We are so excited for our ladies weekend this weekend! Staying at Blaithwaite House near Wigton - 16 of us planning to have a wonderful time of fun and fellowship. Thank you for Vikki for following God's plan for this and getting the ball rolling, to Mim for volunteering to cook for us all and to Elaine for helping organise everything :)

Photos to follow....

February Dates for Refresh

Refresh main meetings on Tuesday 1st and 15th February *. Meet from 7pm for coffee and fellowship. Everyone welcome :)

On the 15th February *- Prayer and Fasting Day - we would encourage all who are able to fast and pray for the whole day - where is God leading us this year? We will meet together in the No8 Club from 6pm for a meal and to share what God has placed on our hearts.

And God Made Eve - Tues 8th February

Home Groups from 7.30pm onwards on 22nd February (ladies at 7 Holmfoot and 1 Whitchester Lane) and 3 whitchester Lane (for Men) on 8th and 22nd February

Stepping Stones - each Monday in February from 2-3pm in the No8 Club
Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew - Mini Cinema Evening 3rd Feb 4pm-6pm
Normal sessions resume 24th Feb

Deeper - each Sunday in Feb from 6pm at 3 Whitchester Lane

By Grace

For by grace you have been saved through

faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Boulder Gang and Rock Solid Crew

Really looking forward to meeting up with the kids again! Messy Games night planned for next Thursday - hope everyone remembers old clothes :) We have some fab games planned including banana splat, Diaper eat and a gunge relay race. Photos to follow...

The week after we are having a mini cinema evening - not sure what film to watch..any suggestions?

Normal groups resume on Thursday 24th Feb...we are currently seeking God as to what to study...very exciting!

Mary's Teas Christmas Party 2010