Projects - Schools Ministry

Assembly Team

Several Aldershot churches are involved in offering assembly presentations for schools.

The team has been supporting school assemblies now for over 12 years and has had this unique opportunity to speak to many young people.

The aims of the team are:
1) To present a practical and contemporary faith in Jesus
2) To make the messages fun and memorable
3) To monitor feedback from pupils and staff and adjust content as appropriate.

The presentations typically take the form of drama, a short talk, a song and prayer, and the content may be based on contemporary or biblical issues.

Typical themes are Christmas, Easter and something relevant in the summer (World cup, Olympics, Dr Who, a recently released film or just a Bible passage).  Props used include camels, water pistols and vases!

Year 6 pupils are presented with a "Its your move" Scripture Union booklet to help pupils moving up to secondary schools - for more details look on line.

General feedback on this ministry has been encouraging with students recognising the team around the town and being prepared to chat with them informally. The school staff encourages the team, welcoming them back and recognising the unique approach used.



Youth Support

This exciting new ministry takes the form of a lunch time drop in alternate Mondays and Thursdays at Connaught School. The team hangs around, mixing with the pupils and being prepared to chat as required. The team offers informal support to pupils.

The team does not express any outward Christian statement or agenda but are prepared to discuss issues of faith if the pupils bring them up. This ministry is about building relationships and subjects already discussed include life issues, Christianity, and living as a Christian.

The team also has an input into selected RE lessons. Topics discussed have included Easter, Jesus's death and ethics issues such as abortion and euthanasia.

The team already knows a good number of students within the school from church and town activities such as youth work and the TCPT and this helps with introductions.

Feedback so far has been encouraging, although this work is still in its infancy.



Town Centre Pastorial Team

ACT has started up an exciting scheme called the Town Centre Pastoral Team (TCPT). This is a natural development from what churches were doing in the town both late at night and during the busier parts of the day. This is in conjunction with the Police and has received funding from them, local councillors and Rushmoor's LSP.

The TCPT provides a visible Christian presence, as often as possible, in the town centre of Aldershot acting pastorally, as people approach them and as they listen and even pray for folk, and evangelistically as they sensitively point people to Jesus.

The team are out some Friday and Saturday nights with a stand offering water, chocolate and leaflets that will be given freely. The Police also asked if we could be around on some other busy times such as after big football matches and during busier days in the daytime.

Volunteers need some training and can opt to do as many or as few sessions as they like and at the times they like. The daytime presence will be in twos and we will need slightly larger numbers in the evenings.

We have uniforms with ‘Town Centre Pastoral Team’ written boldly on the front and back, both for colder and warmer weather.

Initially we need anyone interested to attend at least one introductory and training session to look at practicalities, approach and guidelines. There will be further training offered ‘on the job’.

For further details please contact George Newton on 01252 320618 or at vicar@htca.org.uk



THE MAYOR OF ALDERSHOT'S CHARITIES

The Mayor's Fund Raising Panel is hoping to raise £12,000 for the Charities he is supporting this year.

To achieve this they will be running various fundraising events such as quizzes, barn dances, and the Mayoress's Christmas Afternoon Tea.

One of the charities which the Mayor is supporting is the Town Centre Pastoral Team which is resourced by the churches of Aldershot.

For more information on the Mayor's work, the charities and to donate please see ...

Mayor's Update
Mayor's charities



Vision - Caring and Support

In line with the life of Jesus, the churches of Aldershot are conscious of the need to address peoples' real life issues as well as their spiritual condition. The Town Centre Pastoral Team is a focus of contact between the churches and the people of Aldershot, who are going about their everyday activities.

We are, however, aware that there is a whole section of our society in special need. Obvious examples of this are people in poverty, people who are ill and those who are lonely or sad. The new project which the churches hope to have up and running soon is concerned with addressing this issue.

We are conscious that in our materialistic and self centred society the support for people in real need is minimal and they are lucky if they can even get anyone to listen to their concerns.

We hope to link this new initiative into doctor's surgeries etc, where people might be looking for support. The support will take the form of ...

1. A listening ministry where people can talk to someone who cares and is really listening.

2. Support for people who are going through difficult times (discussion and prayer).

3. Advice on how to deal with issues such as poverty and debt.

4. Indications of how being a Christian can give a totally different pespective on these issues.

The churches hope that this new service will really help people in need and give society at large a glimpse of what our belief in Jesus is all about.