For the first time ever the Diocese of Gloucester is organising a youth forum with young people from across the world visiting our diocese for over 10 days. This forum ties in with the Lambeth conference and is an opportunity for young people to come together and learn about different cultures and have fun!
It takes place from 18th – 29th July 2020 and will include small teams of young people from our partner dioceses – Dornakal, Karnataka Central (both India), Western Tanganyika (Tanzania), El Camino Real (USA) and Vasteras (Sweden) – plus Gloucester.
The theme will be ‘Liedentity‘ This campaign raises awareness of the fact that many young people are sourcing their identities from social media and advertising, and in the process losing their self-esteem. Bishop Rachel who heads up the campaign said. “I long for every young person to discover their worth as a unique individual created in the image of God and to find happiness as they go on becoming who they have been created to be.
“We are bombarded with messages of what the ‘perfect body image’ is, and for many this undermines true identity. We know that for these young people having negative thoughts about how they look can impact on their entire life, causing deep unhappiness and contributing to poor mental health.”
This theme gives participants an opportunity to explore their own identity and discover how different countries and cultures effects their peers self-esteem and confidence.
The first part of the programme will be in our diocese, based at the Christian Adventure Centre at Viney Hill and will include group work on the theme, as well as team-building activities and visits, including a day at Alton Towers.
The second part of the programme will be based in Kent and will include a full day visit to London and a day at the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, which will include being part of an exhibition, where the young people can show what they have been doing and highlight the theme.
The accommodation at both venues will be in dormitories and all meals will be provided.
Would you like to be part of this forum?
From Gloucestershire we are looking for:
- A team of three young people aged between 16 and 22 at the time of the Forum. There will also be a youth leader attached to the team;
- This is a great opportunity to meet with young Christians from different nationalities and cultures;
- Must be willing and able to be resident for the whole of the programme from 18th to 29th July;
- Must be willing to participate fully, including in preparation session for the Forum;
- The application form will ask for a reference from the applicant’s vicar, youth leader or school/university chaplain;
- Accommodation and all meals, transport etc. will be provided;
- Applicants will be shortlisted and interviews will be held (likely at the end of March). The closing date for applications is Monday, March 2nd.
For an informal chat you can contact David Bowers on or Gary Grady on
Get involved
Apply online using the form below:
Itinerary 18th– 29thJuly
| Sat 18thJuly | Youth teams arrive at Viney Hill
Link Officers pick-up groups from airports |
| Sun 19thJuly | AM – Lunch at local churches
PM – Introductions EVE – TBC |
| Mon 20thJuly | AM – Introduction to Theme of Liedentity
PM – TBC EVE – TBC |
| Tue 21stJuly | ‘Gloucester Day’
– Meeting with Bishops – Visit to Cathedral – Free Time/Shopping |
| Wed 22ndJuly | Alton Towers Day
|
| Thu 23rdJuly | AM – TBC
PM – TBC EVE – TBC |
| Fri 24thJuly | Activity Day @ Mallard’s Pike
Arranged through Viney Hill |
| Sat 25thJuly | AM – Leave Viney Hill
PM – TBC EVE – TBC Overnight at Tewkesbury |
| Sun 26thJuly | AM – Worship & lunch at Tewkesbury Abbey
PM – Travel to Kent/Lambeth EVE – TBC |
| Mon 27thJuly | London!
Visit to 3 sites + London Eye |
| Tue 28thJuly | Lambeth Conference
Bible study, stall at Resource Exhibition |
| Wed 29thJuly | Teams depart from airports
|
