Hope 2 Oban Blog

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2010-05-01T14:28:00.001+01:00

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SSC and H2O clowning around on the beach in Mull - IN WINTER!

2010-03-10T10:21:00.002Z

Some would say we're mad (and we are!), but 26 young folk and leaders from Oban, Lochgilphead recently joined friends in Tobermory for the SSC area 'camp', based at Tobermory Youth Hostel.

The weekends weather was actually superb, with the exception of Saturday afternoon as the group boldly travelled for the almost traditional visit to Calgary Bay, which was all going well until the snowstorm began and the Bay cleared.

Clowning was also the order of the day for the group who spent time at Mull Theatre learning how to be clowns (yes, it was easier for some more than others!).

Saturday evening was spent at the Aros Hall getting to know even more young folk from 'Tob' hoping some will join the SSC summer extravaganza at Strun in July.

The fun-packed weekend was finished off with a relaxing swim and spa at the luxurious facility at Craignuire, before boarding the 'Isle of Mull' ferry back to Oban.

A big thanks to all for a fun-packed weekend - Coming soon - Easter Camp at Dalguise!!!

It's all a bit of a Drama at H2O's GFG Group

2010-03-10T10:07:00.002Z

GFG (Games, Food and God), the Tuesday night group at H2O, are in the midst of 'checking out' the Christian faith, and some evenings, it's all a bit of a drama!

As can be seen from the skit pictures above, t-towel outfits set the scene as the group acted out the story of Zaccheus, the formerly nasty tax-collector, transfromed by the love and acceptance of Jesus.

The group of P7's - S4's have spent recent weeks following the multi-media 'Check-it-out' course with sessions on Who am I? - Who are they? - What's my choice? - What do I believe? - and Where do I go?

The six-session course concludes with the question What now? after which the group will continue to discover more of what it means to be a Christian and to follow Jesus.

GFG meet at the well on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 - 9pm.

Paint Party at Glencruitten Hostel

2010-02-05T13:57:00.003Z

As part of H2O's ongoing youth work in the Oban area, Rachel and Ewen turn up weekly at Glencruitten Hostel, weekday home to young folk from the islands of Coll, Colonsay, Lismore, the south of Mull and outlying rural areas.
Activities include deep discussions around a cuppa, Ewen being pummelled at Pool, games nights and arts and crafts nights. These times are great opportunities to get to know each other and have a lot of fun.
As you can see from the picture, our most recent time was spent producing fine works of Art, some folks producing many more than others (you know who you are!!)
In the plan for the coming months are the annual visits to some of the island communities which are home to hostel residents. These visits provide the ideal opportunity for the H2O youth workers to get to know some of the young folk who will be part of next year's S1 year group, and hopefully a time to meet some parents and relatives from the islands.

Happy New Year at Ardeonaig with Hope 2 Oban

2010-01-11T14:25:00.002Z

From 8th - 9th January, the annual H2O time away took place at Ardeonaig Outdoor Centre above Loch Tay and amidst much snow and freezing temperatures. This valuable new-year oasis away from the busy-ness of the life of H2O is a time to give thanks, review and reflect upon the year that has been, as well as look forward and dream dreams as to where we may be led in the future. In addition to focus on H2O's work in and amongst the Oban community and the surrounding area, the event was complimented with interesting and challenging sessions on defence of the Christian faith led by David Galloway.
A great big thank you to all who attended and to the super staff at the Abernethy Trust Centre at Ardeonaig.

It's party, party in the run up to Christmas with H2O

2009-12-19T21:21:00.006Z

OHS - S6 Students at The Well for Christmas Lunch - 11th December

The Ultimate Christmas Card at Christmas Praise - 13th December

Christmas Praise Band and Singers - 13th December

GFG - Christmas Party at The Well - 15th December

Glencruitten Hostel - Party time 'create-a-snowmen' competition- 16th December

Club H2O - Christmas Party at the Well - 17th December

Xplore Christmas Party at The Well - 18th December

JiM group welcome Fletcher Matandika of Joy to the World Ministries

2009-12-12T22:36:00.005Z

'JiM', the group recently formed at Oban High School to raise awareness and funds for the work in Malawi of former OHS Librarian Jayne Powers, recently welcomed a special visitor.

Rev. Fletcher Matandika, the founder of Joy to the World Ministries, the charity Jayne works with in Malawi, spent the day at Oban High School.

He gave 'JiM' an update on the work of the charity with a deeper insight into the particular work that Jayne is involved in. He particularly inspired the group with his vision to build a new high school in the Dzuwa area, a region which is steadily building in confidence, identity and pride as a community.

Fletcher also spent time sharing the vision of Joy to the World with the high school Senior Leadership Team, and also took the opportunity to speak with S2 pupils in the RME department on suffering and faith, as well as discussing micro financing and community cohesion with S4 geography pupils.

As Fletcher was hot-footing it straight from Scotland to Malawi, 'JiM' were able to ask him to take some of the many kindly donated soft toys and gifts from OHS pupils and staff to Jayne in Kasungu for distribution to children she knows.

A big thank you goes to Fletcher for helping us with this. We look forward to seeing Fletcher in the future in Oban, or even one day in Malawi!

Special day at Club H2O

2009-12-06T17:09:00.004Z

At the most recent meeting of Club H2O, the inter-generational aspect of Hope 2 Oban, young and not-so-young came together to listen and talk.

As part of the OHS Pathways Programme, S6 Student, Vicky Cunliffe, has been coordinating a project on public speaking with S2 pupils. The project culminated last Thursday with 8 S2 pupils making presentations to the elderly about their heroes. These included Sean Connery, Yoda, Michael Schumacher, Rowan Atkinson, Colin McRae and Wiliam Shakespeare.

It was a doubly-special time as, on the day, a local business presented Hope 2 Oban with a donation of £1000 towards the ongoing Christian witness and work of H2O within the Oban area community. Shown in the photo above are H2O Youth worker, Denise Glancy, alongside pupils from Oban High School, John, from Club H2O and the local donor.

H2O Coordinate Oban High School 'Faith Perspectives' conference for S6 Students

2009-12-06T16:32:00.003Z

Around 60 S6 students from Oban High School took part in last Friday's conference falls under the banner of 'Religious Observance', held for the first time at the Scottish Association of Marine Science, SAMS, at nearby Dunstaffnage.

11 invited guests from all over Scotland provided 7 workshops, giving students the opportunity to meet with folks from a variety of faith pespectives including Baha'i, Muslim, Jewish and Christians from a variety of traditions and backgrounds. We also ran an inter-faith workshop. Our Humanist representative had to call off due to ill health on the day, a we wish Mandy a speedy recovery.

Further to our survey of students way back in June, the outcomes directed that we provide as many faith persectives as we could source and that all attending wanted to experience all workshops. With the help of the S6 planning group, and further to asking the students what questions they would like to ask invited guests, the wide and varying list was whittled down to:-

- Is it important to have a faith/ spirituality perspective? Why?

- How did you find faith/ God/ your spirituality?

- What are your views on other faiths, beliefs?

- How are your lifestyle and faith perspective related?

Students therefore experienced a very full day, which included 7 workshops, a time of reflection and an opportunity to quiz the hosts and to take part in a full-on feedback session.

All-in-all a very busy, challenging and worthwhile day.

A great big thank you to all who took part, particularly workshop hosts and SAMS.

First meeting of JiM @ Oban High School

2009-11-28T13:45:00.007Z

As part of H2O's campaign to raise awareness and much-needed funding for the work, the group known as JiM, short for 'Jayne in Malawi', has been formed to support the work of former OHS Librarian Jayne Powers. Jayne now lives and works in Kasungu, and plans to be part of the catalyst to build a much-needed school nearby in Dzuwa.
Pictured above are some of the members of the JiM group at our recent first meeting, proudly displaying some of the gifts for children and young people in Malawi. These were kindly given by pupils and staff from Oban High School further to assemblies focussing on Jayne's work were presented to all year-groups by Rachel and Ewen.
JiM's first task is to work out how to get these gifts to Jayne in Kasungu.
In the near future, within a fortnight, the group hope to meet with Fletcher Matandika of Joy to the World Ministries, the organisation that Jayne is working for. It is hoped that this opportunity will give the group further insight to Malawi and to just what the real needs are, and how both communities can learn from each other.
Watch this space for updates on JiM

SSC Argyll area weekend to Dalguise, Perthshire

2009-11-18T20:25:00.007Z

Young folk from Oban, Lochgilphead and Tobermory spent an action-packed weekend with the SSC and H2O youth workers Rachel and Ewen.
Slightly silly games, dance competitions, Struan Cinema and the SSC tradition of 'sing-song' were just some of the activities.
A Saturday trip to 'Sensation' science centre in Dundee gave the 'campers' the opportunity to discover more of the science of the senses, with 'Mindball' being the main attraction. Competitors challenged each other to find out whose brain could demonstrate the least activity to win. With Ewen demolishing Rachel's attempts, he is still trying to work out who really won the competition!!(bless).

'Check it Out' with H2O at Oban High School

2009-11-12T23:14:00.006Z

What a week it's been so far, and it's not over yet. On Sunday 8th November H2O were joined by the 'Check It Out' team, part of the Essex-based 'Viz-a-Viz Ministries', for a week-long visit to Oban. So far the team have lead year-group assemblies, jammed with the 'Higher Music' group, performed at lunchtimes and lead interactive RME classes on everything from ponderings on creation to the basis of their Christian faith.

As the week sadly draws to a close, the team have spent this Thursday evening performing to 130-plus pupils at the 2-hour gig, with an invitation to find out more about Jesus, to check Him out.

The week ends with the team leading workshops at the S3 'Faith Matters' conference on Conflict Resolution, where they will host two of the ten conference workshops.

Coordinated by H2O, the team's visit to Oban has been organised in conjunction with Scripture Union Scotland, with prayerful and financial support from Oban churches.

H2O Celtic Praise @ Atlantis Leisure, MOD 2009

2009-10-21T12:45:00.006+01:00

Event photographs courtesy of Cameron Harris at Highland Photography

As has become tradition during the Oban MOD, Hope 2 Oban organised the latest Celtic Praise on 11th October at a transformed Atlantis Leisure.

An array of talent, young and old, gathered alongside over 600 people, to worship God through Gaelic and English psalms, hymns and contemporary Christian praise.

Music came from the talented young folk of 'Dealrach', the angelic harmonies of 'Clann Latharna', the rousing skirl of Oban High School Pipe Band and the feisty 'Atomic Piseag', interspersed worship songs from Mary Catherine MacNeill and the versatile H2O praise band.

Gaelic scripture readings were presented by Brigadier John MacFarlane, Father Donald Mackay and Miss Kiera Smith with Rev Angus Morrison leading the final prayers.

All-in-all, a night to remember for some time to come. What's next? Watch this space!!

H2O launch GFG on Tuesday evenings

2009-09-30T08:37:00.006+01:00

GFG has arrived! ('Games Food and God' for the unititiated)

Tuesday evenings at The Well provide a place and space for P7's to S4's to come together, play together and discover more about Jesus, God and the Bible.

Times together are about fun, food and faith, starting at 7.30 until 9pm.

'Who did what where and when in the Bible?', 'What's it like to be a Christian at school?', 'What is a Christian, what is a Christian not?' and 'What about parents?' are some of the themes we'll be finding out more about over the coming months.

Watch this blog space for updates!

H2O Xplore - The journey has begun

2009-09-26T19:46:00.006+01:00

Xplore is a 16 week journey of exploration for Oban area young folk from S5 and S6.(16-17 yrs)

Core to Xplore is the opportunity to dig into the Christian faith, based on the questions raised by the Xplorers themselves. Alongside the faith aspect, Xplorers will also journey through aspects of identity, community and creativity.

The Xplore season began with an extended 'through-the-night' session at the Well from 10.30pm until 7.30am the next morning. The time began with social chill time, and moved into story-telling, the creative way. Paint, clay, woodwork and IT were used by the Xplorers to create visual representations of their life-stories.

An extended 'Nooma' dvd gave the Xplorers the opportunity to consider belief in God, and to start to dig into the Good News message of Jesus, a message of hope and love.

Post-Nooma, Xplorers took time to describe their story creations with each other and continue the journey into the Christian faith.

Xplore now meets on Thursday evenings at The Well, eating together, and continuing on the journey of self-discovery , Christian faith discovery and finding out more about the Jesus factor in our lives.

H2O joins SSC for the 2009 season of summer camps

2009-07-10T22:43:00.003+01:00

It all kicked off with SSC last weekend at Struan. 'Advanced Guard', the biggest ever, welcomed 40 seniors to a very special field in Perthshire to set up the camp.
2 massive marquees, many troop tents, luscious loos, pit-digging opportunities and massive dish-washing sessions all added to the fun challenges interspersed with Struan Cinema, Sing-song and the first visit to Pitlochry of the season.
H2O Youth Workers Ewen Munro and Rachel Stanfield, added to the programme by hosting 'Chat Space', a daily opportunity to consider some life-issues including identity, love and faith.
Advanced Guard will be closely followed by the mixed camps, 1 and 2, with close to 300 young people from all over Scotland taking part.
For further information on the SSC, a club for the youth of Scotland, check out www.thessc.org

SPACEFISH - The Tralee Adventure

2009-07-02T12:09:00.001+01:00

SPACEFISH, the monthly Christian youth gathering for older teens, would normaly get together for pizza, hot-chocolate and lots of music, video and chat at The Well. Not so for our (yet another!) end-of-term thing.

Tralee Beach by Benderloch, was the scene for BBQ, games, music and water-stuff. With the midge count down and the BBQ's up, fun was had all round.
A certain member of the H2O youth work team, convinced his weight would be an advantage, was noted as coming 2nd in the zip-wire race. (re-match please!)

'Normally', SPACEFISH meets on the last Friday of the month, at The Well, from 7-9pm for food, fellowship and fun, music, video, chat and lashings of hot chocolate!

For further details, please contact ewen@hope2oban.org.uk

Our next get-togethr will be in September '09, possibly sooner. Watch the H2O blog for further updates.

Island Girls vs Callander Girls

2009-07-02T11:53:00.000+01:00

It may not be premier league yet, but it was fun. Hope 2 Oban and Callander Youth Project recently worked together to create the setting for high school girls from the islands of Mull, Lismore, Coll and Iona to play football against the girls' team linked to CYP, from Callander and the surrounding rural areas.

Although the Islands team were first to score, Callander, with a wee bit more match experience, went on to win, the Islands scoring 3 and Callander Girls, a few more.

(according to the post-match report at Glencruitten Hostel, weekday home of the Island Girls, the final score was a respectable 5-3)

Much celebration took place post-match, with all involved receiving medals and Callander Girls lifting the trophy.

A great big thanks to all involved. We can't wait for the re-match, to be held in Oban, hopefully soon!

Club H2O - Ganavan picnic for the elderly

2009-07-02T11:35:00.000+01:00

Club H2O, the intergenerational aspect of Hope 2 Oban, had its own 'end-of-term' time together at Ganavan sands recently. Local senior citizens gathered together for tea and cakes, provided by volunteers and served by Oban High School pupils. A splendid time was had by all.

Club H2O meets on Thursdays during the school term times and is held at the H2O centre, The Well, from 2- 3.30 pm.

If you know of elderly folk who would like to attend, please contact Denise Glancy, H2O Youth Worker, on 01631 564 239, or at denise@hope2oban.org.uk

(Transport can be arranged to get folks to and from the club)

TNT - End of Term Kerrera Adventure

2009-07-02T11:15:00.000+01:00

It was a hot summer evening when four of the TNT group headed off towards Kerrera for a BBQ adventure, only to be distracted by -------!!!!! DOLPHINS!!!!!!
Yes, we 'swam' with dolphins in Oban Bay (sort of!) Such excitement all round.
And so off to Kerrera, just over the water from Oban.
BBQ eaten, some went for a swim, some took photos, some just chilled, but fun was had all round.
That was the final TNT get-together of the term, and we look forward to discovering what's in the pipeline for the group when we the autumn season looms closer.
A big THANK YOU to Mr M for taking us in his rib on the evening.

Hot on the heels of Frenzy - The Highland Festival @ Fort William

2009-06-22T10:46:00.009+01:00

Just a week on from the extravaganza that is Frenzy, more excitement for the TNT group who ventured to Fort William to take part in the Highland Festival Christian youth event.

Music and extreme sports were the order of the day, with 'Superhero' providing their very special brand of live music.

Skaters and Bikers provided entertainment and challenges to all who came along with a spectacular daring bike jump over, was it 15?, intrepid volunteers.

Testimony and the Gospel message was shared by Andrew Palau

Over 50 from the Oban area go wild at 'Frenzy 09'

2009-06-22T10:04:00.003+01:00

Organised by H2O, an excited group of young and not-so-young folk embarked on the annual minibus pilgrimage from North Argyll to 'Frenzy', the 10-hour Christian music festival, held on 6th June at Ingliston showground on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

All were entranced by the rythm and the beats of the bands including Third Day, David Crowder and The Band With No Name, all bands and artists who build their foundation on the Gospel message of Jesus.

3rd June '09 - S6 Students win this year's H2O Award

2009-06-22T09:44:00.004+01:00

This year's H2O Award has been won jointly by three S6 Students, Lauren Lind, Ruth Carson and Robert Robertson. All three have consistantly served the elderly at weekly gatherings of Club H2O throughout the 2008/2009 academic term. The awarding of the prize was H2O's way of saying a big thank you for the commitment shown by all three.

Pictured above are Lauren and Ruth with the H2O youth workers, Denise, Ewen and Rachel at the Oban High School Senior Prizegiving on Wednesday 3rd June. (unfortunately, Robert was unable to attend)

Girls from Glencruitten in Fair Trade Football Frenzy!

2009-05-15T16:31:00.003+01:00

Members of the girl's football team from Glencruitten Hostel were put through their paces at Atlantis Leisure this week, as Betsy Reid from Fair Trade Scotland and Sarah Holliday from Edinburgh University joined the team for an evening of football drills and skills coaching. (The hostel serves as the weekday home for young people from the islands and rural areas. )

This enthusiastic team of young ladies, who formed almost a year ago, were also joined by H2O's recent appointment, Rachel Stanfield and 'manager'/ youth worker, Ewen Munro.

The team are shown above with their Fair Trade footballs, presented to the girls prior to the session.

The 'GG's' (Glencruitten Girls) are looking for further friendly fixtures in the near future, and all match possibilities should be directed to Manager Munro @ H2O.

The H2O team go to Perth training (and discover a new friend!)

2009-05-02T21:17:00.004+01:00

Rachel and Denise with new friend Ed, discovered on the banks

of Loch Earn (get it?) on the way to training in Perth

H2O youth work team, Denise, Rachel and Ewen spent fruitful time in Perth this past week attending training seminars hosted by Christian youth organisation Frontier Youth Trust.
Sessions included 'Church on the Edge', 'Responding to Challenging Behaviour', 'Spirituality and Young People' and 'Youthwork after Christendom'.
As well as an excellent opportunity to sharpen youth work skills, it is always a blessing meeting with fellow Christian youth workers from all over Scotland. (and no doubt Ed enjoyed making new friends as well)