Welcome to the Refine Youth Website

Welcome to the REFINE site

WHO

What is it…?

Refine is the name for 14-18 Youth Ministry at Christ Church.

Refine is all about teaching, community, worship and honesty, accountability and applying what we learn 'in the real world'.

There are two parts to Refine: large and small group meetings. No aspect of Refine is compulsory although we always suggest that attending both types of meetings is the best way to fulfil Refine's Aims.

Refine welcomes new members at any time and actively encourages those who come regularly to bring their friends to any and all aspects of Refine.

Those who attend Refine come because they want to - we'll never hassle anyone to come to either of Refine's meetings.

When does it take place…?

What takes place when changes each term! Each term can have most or all of the following…

Teaching …is a central aspect to Refine and Refiners tells us it what they want! Whether given during large group meetings or small group meetings, teaching sets the direction of the small group meetings. We always aim to keep the teaching of as high a standard as possible. Often the teaching is given by one of the Refine leaders although sometimes is given by known guest speakers.
Large group meetings …are for teaching, community… and cookies and fun ice-breaker games!
Small group meetings …are for honesty, accountability and applying the teaching.
Visits …to youth-focussed services such as Soul Survivor or Burn.
Worship …often but not always sung worship, takes place either at youth-focussed services or during Refine's large or small group meetings.
Socials …and a yearly weekend away are also central aspects of Refine. They're the ideal place to invite friends and build on community. Socials come in many flavours! They range from bowling to black tie balls; from a chip crawl to a week at Soul Survivor.
Events …range from the 24 Hour Fast or the December Sleepout… or an afternoon of games with the elderly… or a dawn march on Downing Street for to promote Trade Justice. There's often an aspect of mission regarding the events Refine supports and events often also act as socials.
Servant evangelism …which we sometimes call SING ('Soul In New Greens') is where we give something back to the community in which Christ Church is based. We might sweep leaves, clear out sheds or paint a fence. We take our lead from what people in New Greens say they like to see done. Being a part of Christ Church's 'Noise' weekend, including its fun day, is another central way Refine strives to serves its community as is the annual 24 Hour Fast.
Open forums …provide the opportunity to ask questions and debate hot topics, sometimes in special dedicated sessions. Refiner's are always welcome to ask us any questions at any time and we'll do all we can to help them find answers.

Refine changes term on term, year on year, as we receive feedback to the end of year questionnaires and as we learn to try and best suit the needs of those who attend, so the emphasis of each of the above aspects changes each term.

To find out where and when Refine is happening please see the term timetable in the 'Happenings' sections, see the youth notice-board in the Christ Church foyer and check the back of the weekly service sheets.

How does it run…?

How Refine runs changes each year, sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. Although our aims remain constant, we're always learning and so how we fulfil them is rarely the same any two years running.

Each term has a theme. It could be studying a letters or St. Paul; it might be about key life issues such as suffering, other faiths or sex; it might be centred around personal identity. Whatever we're focussing on, our lead has been taken from the Refiners and what we believe their needs are… and it's always fab stuff!

Large groups help build community and have fun, and provide an opportunity to learn and worship together. Refine has never been just about large group meetings but also consists of small group meetings.

Small groups aim to give the opportunity to work out how to apply God's word to real life situations: what's God saying to you about this and is there some way you need to change or respond? They're usually run along the cell group '4W' lines ('welcome', 'worship', 'word' and 'witness') and have the five key values of youth cells: Jesus at the centre; a community of care; everyone maturing; everyone using their gifts to help others grow and reach others; everyone making God known. Small groups are seen as dynamic structures, designed for growth with changing memberships, changing and multiplying.

Both large and small groups aim to encourage trusting, open relationships, where everyone feels able to contribute and use the gifts that God has given them.

So some terms there might be two weekly meetings. Typically the first is a large leader-led group meeting on Sunday nights for worship, teaching and community, led by Refine leaders. The second weekly meeting is for smaller groups, usually peer-led (with a structure of adult supervision) and held mid-week. These are for honesty, accountability and applying the teaching.

There are times when this isn't the right mix though. So during other terms there'll be fewer large group meetings and instead the emphasis will be on smaller groups with a greater input from Refine leaders, as well as having the 'usual' socials, visits and events.

To find out how Refine is run this term please see the term timetable in the 'Happenings' section, see the youth notice-board in the Christ Church foyer and check the back of the weekly service sheets.

No matter how Refine is run and regardless of whatever aspects of Refine are attended, we value every member of Refine equally.

Who runs it…?

A team of between six and eight adult leaders produce the structure and content of each term, taking our lead from Refiners. This is a process that usually starts with reviewing feedback from end of term questionnaires through to brainstorming and ending in prayer. The programme is available at the start of each term.

Currently, the Refine leadership team are: Gillian & Oliver D, Susie & Séan R.

The Refiners themselves take an integral role in running Refine too: helping set up equipment; running worship sessions; organising socials; helping to lead small groups; creating this website!

If you would like to know more about any aspect of Refine then please browse this site or email us or contact Susie R or any of the Refine leadership team.


	Welcome to the REFINE site
central who we are our aims happenings groups news forums contact susie's blog members links	What is it…? Refine is the name for 14-18 Youth Ministry at Christ Church. Refine is all about teaching, community, worship and honesty, accountability and applying what we learn 'in the real world'. There are two parts to Refine: large and small group meetings. No aspect of Refine is compulsory although we always suggest that attending both types of meetings is the best way to fulfil Refine's Aims. Refine welcomes new members at any time and actively encourages those who come regularly to bring their friends to any and all aspects of Refine. Those who attend Refine come because they want to - we'll never hassle anyone to come to either of Refine's meetings. When does it take place…? What takes place when changes each term! Each term can have most or all of the following… *Teaching* …is a central aspect to Refine and Refiners tells us it what they want! Whether given during large group meetings or small group meetings, teaching sets the direction of the small group meetings. We always aim to keep the teaching of as high a standard as possible. Often the teaching is given by one of the Refine leaders although sometimes is given by known guest speakers. *Large group meetings* …are for teaching, community… and cookies and fun ice-breaker games! *Small group meetings* …are for honesty, accountability and applying the teaching. *Visits* …to youth-focussed services such as Soul Survivor or Burn. *Worship* …often but not always sung worship, takes place either at youth-focussed services or during Refine's large or small group meetings. *Socials* …and a yearly weekend away are also central aspects of Refine. They're the ideal place to invite friends and build on community. Socials come in many flavours! They range from bowling to black tie balls; from a chip crawl to a week at Soul Survivor. *Events* …range from the 24 Hour Fast or the December Sleepout… or an afternoon of games with the elderly… or a dawn march on Downing Street for to promote Trade Justice. There's often an aspect of mission regarding the events Refine supports and events often also act as socials. *Servant evangelism* …which we sometimes call SING ('Soul In New Greens') is where we give something back to the community in which Christ Church is based. We might sweep leaves, clear out sheds or paint a fence. We take our lead from what people in New Greens say they like to see done. Being a part of Christ Church's 'Noise' weekend, including its fun day, is another central way Refine strives to serves its community as is the annual 24 Hour Fast. *Open forums* …provide the opportunity to ask questions and debate hot topics, sometimes in special dedicated sessions. Refiner's are always welcome to ask us any questions at any time and we'll do all we can to help them find answers. Refine changes term on term, year on year, as we receive feedback to the end of year questionnaires and as we learn to try and best suit the needs of those who attend, so the emphasis of each of the above aspects changes each term. To find out where and when Refine is happening please see the term timetable in the 'Happenings' sections, see the youth notice-board in the Christ Church foyer and check the back of the weekly service sheets. How does it run…? How Refine runs changes each year, sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. Although our aims remain constant, we're always learning and so how we fulfil them is rarely the same any two years running. Each term has a theme. It could be studying a letters or St. Paul; it might be about key life issues such as suffering, other faiths or sex; it might be centred around personal identity. Whatever we're focussing on, our lead has been taken from the Refiners and what we believe their needs are… and it's always fab stuff! Large groups help build community and have fun, and provide an opportunity to learn and worship together. Refine has never been just about large group meetings but also consists of small group meetings. Small groups aim to give the opportunity to work out how to apply God's word to real life situations: what's God saying to you about this and is there some way you need to change or respond? They're usually run along the cell group '4W' lines ('welcome', 'worship', 'word' and 'witness') and have the five key values of youth cells: Jesus at the centre; a community of care; everyone maturing; everyone using their gifts to help others grow and reach others; everyone making God known. Small groups are seen as dynamic structures, designed for growth with changing memberships, changing and multiplying. Both large and small groups aim to encourage trusting, open relationships, where everyone feels able to contribute and use the gifts that God has given them. So some terms there might be two weekly meetings. Typically the first is a large leader-led group meeting on Sunday nights for worship, teaching and community, led by Refine leaders. The second weekly meeting is for smaller groups, usually peer-led (with a structure of adult supervision) and held mid-week. These are for honesty, accountability and applying the teaching. There are times when this isn't the right mix though. So during other terms there'll be fewer large group meetings and instead the emphasis will be on smaller groups with a greater input from Refine leaders, as well as having the 'usual' socials, visits and events. To find out how Refine is run this term please see the term timetable in the 'Happenings' section, see the youth notice-board in the Christ Church foyer and check the back of the weekly service sheets. No matter how Refine is run and regardless of whatever aspects of Refine are attended, we value every member of Refine equally. Who runs it…? A team of between six and eight adult leaders produce the structure and content of each term, taking our lead from Refiners. This is a process that usually starts with reviewing feedback from end of term questionnaires through to brainstorming and ending in prayer. The programme is available at the start of each term. Currently, the Refine leadership team are: Gillian & Oliver D, Susie & Séan R. The Refiners themselves take an integral role in running Refine too: helping set up equipment; running worship sessions; organising socials; helping to lead small groups; creating this website! If you would like to know more about any aspect of Refine then please browse this site or email us or contact Susie R or any of the Refine leadership team.