YA Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Once again I should like to thank all the churches for their support of Youth Action Dartmouth over the previous years. In some cases the support has been practical, for example the use of premises. In some cases people have given up freely of their time to help. We have been encouraged by the interest generated through the Parish Magazine and by the financial gifts which we have received. Of particular help was the publication in June of the Prayer Calendar. I should therefore like to thank all who pray regularly for the Spanglers or who have contributed in some other way.

Mitch Spangler and I were delighted to have had the responsibility for taking an Assembly at the Dartmouth Primary School towards the end of the summer term. On this occasion, Mitch recounted the Parable of the Talents (Mat 25 v. 14-30) and exhorted the children to use and not to bury their God-given abilities. The Assembly was well received by teaching staff and pupils. We were also given permission to distribute to every pupil a Scripture Union booklet about the Millennium dealing with the 'real reason' for the Y2K celebrations. Please pray with us that they will be read in the two hundred and forty or so homes reached.

One issue concerning us at the beginning of the new school year is that concerning financial support. Our treasurer, Mr. Brian Warmoll, has indicated that the number of independent regular supporters has dropped from 25 to 5. Support was strong for the first three year period but this second term, for various reasons, has attracted little new income. The Scripture, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phil 4.19 is a real blessing as times such as these. Reaching young people for Christ is a definite challenge when there is so much to attract them away from the values and morals that once were so clearly taught within Christian families and at schools. As we move towards a multi-faith society, the YAD Support Group is particularly grateful to Mitch for his invaluable work in the schools, in clubs and at the Well.

It is because we wish to retain the Spanglers in Dartmouth for the next two years, thereby completing the second term of 3 years, that the need for new financial support has become an issue. I have therefore been asked to write to the churches to highlight this. We are asking for 30 people to pledge £5 each month for two years for the sake of the youth in Dartmouth.

This letter is being sent to the Dartmouth churches in order to bring its contents to the notice of all congregations of the Lord's people. I wonder if I could ask you to facilitate this.

The full address for contributions is Mr. Brian Warmoll, 14b Mount Boone, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9PB.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Yours faithfully,

A D Wood, Chairman YAD