Drum Roll, Please

Where will you be living?  What will you be during your year of service?  These are the questions that I have been asked since the day I accepted the call, and until this day I had no concrete answer to give.

So, after several discussions with my placement and weeks of contemplation, I have been offered and accepted the placement as… drum roll, please… the Youth Ministry Assistant at St. James Church in Gerrards Cross, England.  Now, I’m sure many people are thinking “That’s great to hear.  But what exactly will you be doing as a Youth Ministry Assistant and where is England is Gerrards Cross?”

Well, the basics of my position will to assist and plan youth events, such as weekly Bible studies and weekends away, and to support the general life of the church.  That’s a vague description of what my duties will be.  It means that I will be a part of helping children, young adults, and older adults grow in their faith in whatever way they need, so I may be planning and leading a Bible study, leading worship, or simply setting up chairs for one of the church programs.  I will also be a part in creating new service opportunities for the youth, and preparing the youth for their mission trip, as my church did for the youth group in which I was involved.  I am still learning what all of my responsibilities will be, so what I have described to you may change.  However, I am positive that each day in this role will be a new challenge, and I am looking forward to discovering what all God has in store for me with this new community.

St James Church, Gerrards Cross, England

Okay, so we now know what I will be doing, but what about the faith community I will be living and growing with?  St. James Church is associated with the Church of England, so I have many new terms to learn, such as rector and vicar.   St James worships in a contemporary style with three services a Sunday, including an evening youth worship, which serves 60-80 youth a week.  During the week, they also host and facilitate a variety of small groups for all ages and service partnerships with the larger Gerrards Cross community.  During the duration of my service, I will be living in a house that is located within a five minute walk from St James with the Children’s Ministry Assistant, who is a woman from Germany.  This will allow me to be able to participate in all the opportunities and services this faith community provides.

England

The other question, “Where in England is Gerrard’s Cross?” can be answered in two different ways.  The detailed, concise answer is Gerrards Cross is a suburb located just outside the west side of the M25 London Orbital, but, considering my English friends do not understand that description, I shall give you a simpler one.  Gerrards Cross is a suburb located about 30 minutes west from London.  (Yes, Mom, this means I’ll be able to go to the London museums during my time off.)  
 

Gerrard's Cross, England

Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will respond to you in a timely manner.  Thank you for all your support.

Peace,
Elise