We may have been a bit quiet lately but that’s not because we’ve been asleep! Our project portfolio is expanding and the impact of the projects is beginning to be very exciting.

The Forest of Arden Youth for Christ team continues to do amazing things in the lives of teenagers at the secondary schools in Henley and Studley. Alex and Matt are as busy as ever and adding a regular youth service to their activities. Proper child protection rules insist that there are always two adults at any activity. The team could really use more volunteers to give additional flexibility in their programme. They are hoping to establish youth alpha in both schools, and there will be an opportunity for anyone who feels called to sponsor the materials.

Inglis productions in Stratford continues to thrive and its organisation and finances are looking very robust thanks to the efforts of Anne Heaney who has been their B4C counsellor. B4C will be funding Stuart Inglis on a residential training programme for performing arts group leaders, to help give a professional background to his existing gifts.

You will shortly be receiving the latest CD recording by the band Dweeb who are taking the Christian message to teenagers through their concerts. They too are gaining an ever higher profile and John Rundle will be working with them to strengthen their merchandising business. B4C were delighted to co-sponsor their recording studio time for this CD.

Whilst all these efforts to reach teenagers are amazing, it is clear that we also need to try to sow the seeds of good citizenship in the hearts of young children. To that end we will be supporting the proposed after school club at Claverdon which will be modelled on the one that has already been launched at Wootton. Nigel and Nancy Goodrich will be seeking to act as B4C support into this new initiative.

We are exploring several other proposals that have been brought to our attention and we are offering to take part in services in all our local churches as part of our search for appropriate projects and additional supporters. We plan to do this in concert with the YfC team.

Thanks for your continued support. There is lots going on and at last we do seem to have been able to move out of the bureaucracy and into making a real difference.