Category: Newsletters

Spring 2024 Newsletter

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Our Spring 2024 newsletter is now available for download by clicking here, or see the text below.

It is my pleasure to contribute to this Newsletter for the first time with a GROW worker in place. Fiona Tucker has had a terrific start with her past work experience and approachable manner allowing her to become quickly familiar with her current tasks working alongside the Ministers, Congregations, Youth Groups and Primary and Secondary Schools in the town. As a management Group we were thrilled to see new S.U. Groups starting and Fiona becoming a recognized Youth Worker in the area and are very grateful to all who have helped make this possible whether you are a Trustee, Committee Member, Financial Supporter, or Prayer partner. Through your help you are making it possible for God’s Word to go out in Glenrothes and touch lives in the name of Jesus and therefore help make real what Jesus said in Matthew 25 vs. 40 – “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Thank you again,
Sandra Davie
Chairperson

 

Hello,

After a hiatus of 3 years I was appointed as the youth worker for GROW and it has certainly been an exciting time and a busy time. I am so thankful to God for the many opportunities He has provided and the doors that have been opened to me.

It has taken time to build up relationships with the schools but I am regularly visiting a number of primary schools in the town and also running Scripture Union Groups in both Auchmuty High School and Glenwood High School.

As part of the chaplaincy teams within the town, I am a regular visitor in Caskieberran Primary School, and they are looking to start a new SU Group in their school after the Easter break. They are also signing up to have Walk through the Bible delivered to their P6 students which is very exciting.

I have worked alongside Sandra Davie and Chris Beattie in delivering Walk through the Bible to both Carleton Primary School and Pitteuchar East Primary School. This drama based presentation gives students the opportunity to learn about the stories of the Bible in an engaging and interactive way.

Over the last six months, assemblies have been delivered to both pri-mary schools and high schools and giving students time to reflect on topics such as respect, kindness and the Christmas and Easter events.

We had a few volunteers and some of the committee of GROW de-liver the Christmas journey to some students from Carleton Primary School– this was great fun for all involved and certainly was an en-gaging way to share the story of Christ’s birth.

I have been a regular visitor to Lendrick Muir as I join with others during the camps to share the Good News and help them explore the Bible. I have also attended training with Scripture Union for events such as Magnitude and the been part of the youth workers’ confer-ence.

This is just a wee snap shot of the last few months. How wonderful it is to see God moving and answering prayer.

Please do keep updated with our monthly prayer letters and do follow us on facebook to see regular posts about what is happening within Glenrothes.

Thank you for all your support and faithful prayers.
Fiona Tucker—GROW Churches and School’s Youth Worker

Spring 2023 Newsletter

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Dear friends,

Our Spring 2023 newsletter is now available. Please click here to download the PDF version, or see the text below.

Dear Supporters and Partners,

The GROW Committee wish everyone a season of opportunities, health and happiness, and fulfilment in our efforts to spread the Gospel in the Glenrothes area.

We were greatly disappointed that our 2022 recruitment drive for a new full time GROW Worker did not bear fruit. However, the year was not wasted as we concentrated on getting our video out (refer June 2022 Newsletter) in an effort to bring GROW to the attention of more people to support our work, and to enrol additional board members and trustees.

The committee members have maintained prayer and board meetings with resolve and commitment each month, via zoom prayer meetings and meeting at various churches for committee meetings. It is important to us that we maintain this essential contact between local churches, and within Christian outreaches and local schools. This includes using our promotional video to strengthen the vision and presence of GROW through hosting a brief presentation at local Churches.

The Video has already been shown in St Margaret’s, St Ninian’s and at The Salvation Army.

With few outgoings our financial situation is that we have sufficient funds to employ a GROW worker for at least two years.

We continue to work closely with Scripture Union Scotland and join with them whenever we can to take young people to residential events (suholidays.org.uk) such as a recent weekend in February and to promote activity days.  The activity days are for children linked with churches in the town as it is our passion to encourage young people in their faith and to give them encouragement to share it with others.

Our annual general meeting was held at St Ninians Church of Scotland, on Thursday 15th September 2022.  We are grateful for the enthusiastic support from friends and supporters who attended.

If you would like further information, please contact  www.grow-trust.co.uk

We value your support and are grateful for your continuing, prayerful, input as we work towards strengthening our Board and re-advertising for a GROW Worker next month.  We would appreciate hearing from you should you consider putting forward suitable nominations for these roles.

Yours in Christ,

Davina Saunders,

Secretary, GROW Management Team

On behalf of The Board of Trustees and Management Team of GROW

June 2022 Newsletter

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Dear friends,

Our June 2022 newsletter is now out. Please see the text below, or click this link to download in PDF format.

Dear Supporters and Partners,

As you are aware, we have been unable to enter schools during lockdown. This, coupled with the fact that we have been unsuccessful in our recruitment drive to find a replacement for our previous worker, Oskar, has caused a temporary halt to our outreach activities.

The committee members have maintained prayer and board meetings with resolve and commitment each month, via zoom and now in person.  The previous success of the programme, together with the enthusiasm and dedication of the management board, have convinced us that we should continue to regain this essential contact between local churches and schools.

Not having to pay a salary for the past two years, our finances are such that a GROW worker could be employed for eighteen months. However, to sustain the work, we seek additional management committee members and trustees as well as financial supporters. To this end, we are planning a promotional campaign over the next three months. This includes recording a promotional video to strengthen the vision and presence of GROW in the Glenrothes area. Our desire is for each church to allow us a brief presentation with video.

During this campaign GROW will be running an activities day in Glenrothes with support from Scripture Union. The activities day is for children linked with churches in the town as it is our passion to encourage young people in their faith and give them encouragement to share it with others. We greatly value your support and ask that you might stay with us over the next few months as we regroup and work towards re-advertising for a GROW worker in the autumn.

Our annual general meeting will be held at St Ninians Church of Scotland, at 18h30 on Thursday 15th September 2022.  An invitation will be sent to you prior to the event.

We thank you for your continued support of GROW.  Your confidence in this work and prayer support is greatly appreciated.

Yours in Christ,

 

Davina Saunders,

Secretary, GROW Management Team

Christmas 2021 Newsletter

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Dear friends,

Our Christmas 2021 newsletter is now out. Please see the text below, or click here to download it in PDF format.

Dear Supporters and Partners,

We are happy to present a final update for the year 2021.

Although the year brought more Covid 19 restrictions, the management team are optimistic regarding the future of GROW and trust God that a way will be made for us to have, once more, a GROW worker in the area. The past two years have been especially difficult for children and young people and we earnestly pray that restrictions will lift and that we can again reach out to our schools.

A recruitment campaign for a new GROW Worker will commence during the first week in January 2022 with the closing date being at the end of February.  Allowing time for interviews, the proposed start-up date for the new worker will be after the Easter holidays.

The Board of Trustees and Management Team of GROW convey their thanks and appreciation for your continued support and take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Yours in Christ,

Davina Saunders,

Secretary, GROW Management Team

COVID-19 Update

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Dear Supporters and Partners,

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis the ministry of GROW has become severely restricted. With the indefinite closure of all schools and social gatherings Oskar is unable to continue to perform the majority of tasks that he undertakes on a regular basis.

The GROW Trustees and Management Group met via conference call to consider the situation, bearing in mind the welfare of Oskar personally and that of the future and longevity of the Trust and its work. We were able to take advice from the HR and legal department of Scripture Union with regard to the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and how it might impact GROW.

Continue reading “COVID-19 Update”