Kings Club 2016

The first week in August saw almost 80 children and young people engaged in a variety of fast moving activities centered around the theme 'The Promise'. This meant we explored some of the promises that God has made to us over the centuries. Starting with Abraham, we learned of how God declared to him that he would have descendants as numerous and the 'stars in the sky' or 'as grains of sand on the seashore'. By the end of the week we were talking about Jesus who promised to be with his followers 'to the end of the age'.

The 6 -10 year old's were based at Askrigg School and each day were taken back in time by two young presenter time-travelers 'Anita and Lou' (ask the children what their surnames were). They introduced us to the people and events of between 4000 and 2000 years ago, each day bringing us back to Askrigg 2016 at the end of the afternoon – just in time for the children to go home! A large range of craft activities and games helped demonstrate the meaning behind, among other things, the Passover meal that the Israelite people made before they escaped from Egypt and the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before he was crucified by the Romans the next day. Throughout the week the older children worked on making a felt collage depicting the coming of the Holy Spirit into people's lives just as Jesus promised he would after his resurrection.

One child aged 7 wrote 'King's Club is good because you get to play games and learn about God and Jesus'

The 11 – 16 year old young people used the Low Mill Centre as their base and were able to investigate and discuss the nature of God's love and grace shown throughout time. A large number of activities were put on which included canoeing, gorge scrambling, abseiling, high ropes, a colour run demonstrating the title theme of the week and a waterslide with related activities on the Friday afternoon.

The BBQ on the Friday saw over 100 people sharing in some of the experiences of the week with a live band and a presentation of activities and events from the young people and leaders.

This year a group of leaders and young people visited Wensleydale from Pilsen in the Czech Republic to share in the week. Having spent two days in London they appreciated the peace and quiet of the dales (in between the full and busy activities at King's Club!). Two weeks later five of our young leaders went to share in the King's Camp in the Czech Republic – now in its third year having been initially inspired by our own Wensleydale King's Club in 2013.

We are very grateful to all those people who have supported King's Club this year. Those who have worked hard in the background throughout the year, those who gave money, prayer support and help by providing food, and of course the team of leaders from the local area and further afield, running the activities during the actual week.

Next Year (2017) King's Club is again the first full week in August – Monday 7th to Friday 11th with a Family BBQ on the Friday at 6pm. Please hold these dates in your diary.

Mike Hirst