Welcome to the Youth page. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Use this page to find out what’s on in your area, what’s happening in Synod, free resources for you to use and more.
4G on Saturday 5th December at 6:30 pm
Hosted by the Scottish Youth Executive on Zoom.
Young people 12 & up are invited to a very festive 4G online youth event on Saturday 5th December. For more details or to let us know you are coming, email youthsecretary@urcscotland.org.uk
4G:For Games
For Good Company
For Good Fun
For Gathering Together Online
For Young People in the URC across Scotland.
Before attending 4G for the first time:Please read the 4G Code of Conduct and return it to youthsecretary@urcscotland.org.uk. At 4G we offer a space for young people involved with the URC in Scotland. This Code of Conduct outlines the ways in which we encourage participants to keep themselves and others safe during our events.
If you are 15 or under, please ask your parent or guardian to complete this consent form and return it to youthsecretary@urcscotland.org.uk before attending your first event.
Trialogue – weekly interactive YouTube broadcast for 16 to 25-year-olds
URC Youth invite you to join a new weekly online live YouTube broadcast called ‘Trialogue’. Aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds, each session explores a theme alongside a Bible passage, providing a springboard for further discussion and reflection. A member of the CYDO+ team hosts a conversation with three guest panellists, representing the breadth of the URC.
Viewers are able to join in the discussions using Slido.com and entering the code ‘URCtrialogue’. Comments, questions and suggestions for future topics can be sent to the host to share during the live programme.
All episodes remain available to view at any time after the live broadcast. Below you will find accompanying resource to support individuals and groups with reflection and prayer.
Ideal to watch on your own or as part of a group. Why not use as conversation starters for your own virtual gatherings?
Every Thursday at 7pm
URC Children’s and Youth YouTube channel – bit.ly/urctrialogue
18 June 2020: TRIalogue Going Deeper materials – Book of Ruth – Refugee Week
The Big Speak Out Stays In, July 2020
Who’s it for? 11 to 18 year olds who are connected in any way with the United Reformed Church.
When?7 pm, Friday 24th July – lunchtime, Sunday 26th July 2020.
What’s it about? It’s a weekend of fun, fellowship, faith, friendship and finding your voice!
The Big Speak Out is an opportunity for young people to have their say on the issues which face them – and to share their thoughts with the wider church.
What will it look like? It will be held online using Zoom and will have a theme of ‘Turning the Tables’.
There will be a social event, Bible studies, discussions, challenges & workshops, and we will put together an act of worship that will be shared on YouTube on the Sunday morning for people to watch with their families before joining together again for goodbyes. There will also be plenty of breaks as we know that limiting screen time is healthy.
How do I sign up? The event is free but spaces are limited so we are asking that people sign up as soon as possible and commit to joining in the whole event. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/pyyUiCFiP9ZEjZs56
UPDATE re: Youth Assembly 2021
It’s the time of year when we all start to get excited for Youth Assembly, and plans are in full flow, but unfortunately, we’ll have to remain in anticipation for a little while longer.
Regrettably, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, URC Youth Executive have reached the sad conclusion that Youth Assembly 2021 must be postponed until the following year. This was a very difficult decision to make and certainly was not taken lightly, as Youth Assembly means just as much to us as we know it does to many of you. The truth of the matter is that this situation is fast-moving and changeable, and to continue to plan for a large in-person event where many of our valued friends and colleagues would be unable to attend, due to health concerns, possible local lockdowns, and other circumstances, is not in the inclusive spirit of URC Youth. The atmosphere of Youth Assembly is so unique that we felt we were unable to do it justice via an online replacement.
Of course, we haven’t forgotten those of you who will be particularly disappointed by this announcement, due to Youth Assembly 2021 being your final assembly before you pass the upper age limit. We are doing all we can to work out how to include you next time. We hope collectively we can carry the burden of this news. Remember to reach out to your URC Youth friends, CYDO+ team and Youth Exec for support and news about what’s happening locally. We couldn’t let our weekend in January pass without doing something together, so we’re working on a small way to connect as young people from afar. More news to follow about this and other plans across the year.
We can’t wait to see you in person at Youth Assembly 28th to 30th January 2022 when we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the United Reformed Church!We know this is tough news in an already tough year. Please keep us in your prayers- we’ll be praying for you!
God bless,
The URC Youth Executive
S3 students up to and including 25 year olds, this is your chance to get in quick and sign up for Youth Assembly 2021.
At a cost of £110 on or before 11 November 2020, rising to just £140 after that date, you can enjoy a whole weekend from 29 to 31 January 2021 in the company of other young people and adults from URC Youth, full board, at the wonderful Whitemoor Lakes centre. The theme of Heroes and Villains – is there a difference? launches the Heroes and Villains theme for URC Children’s and Youth Work for 2021 and promises a weekend which offers something for everyone in its packed and varied programme.
If cost is a problem, your church or synod may be able to help, so why not talk to a youth leader or your synod CYDO or equivalent?
(Find your synod contacts here).
You can also apply for a small grant to help – read here, or contact the Children’s and Youth Work office at children.youth@urc.org.uk.
Synod of Scotland Youth Forum:Each March an event is held at Tulliallan Police College for young people between the ages of P7-25. At this event there are activities including discussions, sports, short worships as well as arts and crafts. Each year a theme is chosen for the group to explore and voice their opinions on. This event is free and any young person associated with Scottish URC churches are welcome to attend
URC Youth Assembly (URCYA):In January each year there is an event for young people aged 14-25 called URCYA. Youth Assembly connects young people from Scotland, Wales and England. At this event the young people explore a theme. We do this through worship and workshops. We also have business sessions to make decisions about the future of youth in the URC. Youth assembly is a great opportunity to meet other young people from around the UK.
4G:
For Games
For Good Company
For Good Fun
For Gathering Together Online
For Young People in the URC across Scotland.
For more information and a consent form contact John Sanderson on youthsecretary@urcscotland.org.uk
4G on Saturday 7th November at 6:30 pm hosted by the Scottish Youth Executive on Zoom
4G on Saturday 10th October at 6:30 pm hosted by the Scottish Youth Executive on Zoom
Youth Assembly 2020
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This year the theme of Youth Assembly was ‘Common Ground’. Over the weekend we had panel discussions on ‘Politics’, ‘Sex, Faith and Relationships’ and ‘War and Peace’. We explored these further through workshops such as Art, Where would Jesus sit politically, Israel and Palestine and a walk to the National War Arboretum. Throughout the weekend we also did business, had a campfire and a Ceilidh. It was a great weekend and was enjoyed by all who attended from Scotland.
‘Walking on Sunshine’ Tiree Pilgrimage:
In August 2019 a group of young people went on a pilgrimage to the island of Tiree. We took part in lots of activities such as cross hunting, surfing, litter picking, worship, arts & crafts and a nature walk. During the pilgrimage we visited various religious sites across the island including St Patrick’s Temple. Everyone who attended had a fantastic time!
Synod of Scotland Youth Forum 2019:
At March Synod 2019 the theme was equality. We did various activities to explore this theme, including art, drama, discussions and poetry. Throughout the weekend we also played a lot of sports, took part in a quiz and ceilidh dancing. We also had a Youth Exec Open meeting so that the young people who attended could tell us what they would like to do next.
URC Youth Assembly 2019:
This year the theme was ‘One body’. Over the weekend we attended worship and took part in lots of workshops, including ones on homelessness, litter picking, art activities and a visit to a war memorial. In the future we hope more young people from Scotland will attend Youth Assembly as it is a good opportunity to meet other young people from around the UK.
Synod of Scotland Outdoor Activities Weekend:
In October 2018 a group of young people came together from across Scotland to take part in an activities weekend at Ardeonaig Outdoor Centre. The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed as we took part in thrilling activities such as gorge walking, kayaking, loch jumping and crate climbing. The activities brought the group closer together and we hope to plan a similar event in the near future.
Charity Challenge:
At the 2018 Synod of Scotland Youth Forum, the young people focused on the topic of homelessness and decided to launch a ‘charity challenge’ which challenged every church within the synod of Scotland to raise money for a homelessness charity of their choice. We were delighted that 23 Churches took up the challenge by raising money or collecting goods for a number of homelessness charities. A big thank you to all churches that participated!
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