I and others from YFC joined up today with some people from Samaritan’s Purse at Mulberry House to look at developing a resource on HIV/AIDS to be used in school. It’s quite an exciting project; so watch this space!

Today Nigel said something that really made me think. Nigel is our schools specialist as well as being Director of Fosseway YFC. He reminded us that the church used to be the centre of the community, where people looked for support on issues, where things happened etc. The church lost that position and in many communities has now been replaced in th centre by the school. The school is now the centre of the community where people look for support and activities; and as the concept of extended schools becomes a reality I think schools will increasingly become the centre of the community.

If this is so, I think it is vital that the church is involved in, or at the centre of, the school. I think it is unrealistic to expect to be able to regain that central position of history; but we can certainly be an influencing presence offering support and guidance in an appropriate and welcomed way. We can still be friends of the community with something of value to contribute.