Young People

Rachel Crowe is part of Encounter, a registered charity working with churches in Eastbourne and Seaford to support voluntary school-based Christian groups, contribute to Collective Worship, RE lessons and other curriculum areas, and to run house parties, camps and out-of-school events. Rachel says that the ambitious aim of Encounter is to ensure that every young person under the age of 18 in the Eastbourne and Seaford area has the opportunity to hear and understand the Christian message and, should they wish, to learn to follow Jesus in their daily lives with the help and encouragement of the local Christian community.

In the last couple of months Rachel has been getting young people together from a number of local churches to discuss how to get involved with Hope 2008. Forum members have come up with a variety of ideas, and over the coming year they aim to mobilise more than 200 young people in and around Eastbourne to assist in current projects within the community - and to initiate new ones. Ideas include organising a litter-pick in a local school, helping older people with their gardening, and supporting existing community fun days. The long-term aim is to provide sustainable community work through the churches.

Rachel says: "The enthusiasm of the young people involved is infectious and my hope is that their ideas and excitement will inspire the church and community to work together in all kinds of ways in 2008 and beyond."

For more information about Encounter, see their web site at www.bigencounter.com, or call 01323 647764.