New Beginnings - YMIC SW Summer Party

Youth partaking in Taizé style worship

We (Youth Ministry in Communion, known often as YMIC) are a movement pioneering sacramental and collaborative youth ministry. In London we have been growing steadily since 2021, thanks to a faithful group of founding partner parishes with an injection of funding to form a team and deploy youth workers into multi-parish collaborations. In Southwark we have only just begun, hosting our first independent event in June of this year!

The YMIC Southwark Summer Party was by all accounts a great success bringing together around 60 young people and Adults (around 50 youth) together in the classic triad: fun, faith and food. At 5pm young people started flooding the doors of St Marks Wimbledon where they were greeted by one of the many volunteers who supported the event. There they quickly made their way into the churches garden to be greeted by things that you wouldn’t normally expect in church grounds… A massive inflatable obstacle course, unclimbable ladder (in reality very climbable), demolition ball and a gladiator ring.

For those that were less interested in running, whacking or jumping, there was graffiti art and tie dye, with some incredibly stylish and fashionable tote bags and t-shirts being made by the majority of the young people. Of course, no summer party would be complete without a BBQ. There was plenty for everyone with many having seconds and thirds and also a few sneaky fourths!

After two hours of all that, everyone gathered together outside the church. We were entering into the most important hour, what the whole thing is about, the worship. Rev Jane Andrews led us through worship in what was a powerful display of holding sacred space. Young people from all over Southwest London joined together in Taizé chants eventually building to the eucharist. It was beautiful to watch so many young people share together in the feast.

We saw plenty of smiling faces after the event and heard of lots of new friends being made. So much fellowship between young Christians we look forward to the next one.