Micah Wins Competition

Micah Russell of the Andros Circuit won the Bahamas Primary Schools Speech Competition on November 18, 2008 in Nassau. Micah represented his school Nicholls Town Primary School as well the Andros Island Community in this competition. The BTCIC youths congratulate Micah on his win. Micah will later represent his school in the island's Spelling Bee Competition in the new year, 2009. We wish him all the very best.

Christmas Greetings!

The Youth celebrated Advent and Christmas in grand style as many hosted concerts, group parties, participated in Candlelight Services and Christmas morning worship. The children, youths and young adults wish all a Merry Christmas! Felix Navidad! Joyeaux Noel!
We pray that 2009 will bring you all success in Christ and many blessings.

MCCA YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WEEKEND

In celebration of the MCCA Youth and Young Lord's Day, the Andros Circuit will host a MCCA Youth and Young Adults Weekend. The weekend will begin with a Youth Leadership Training Seminar on Friday 14th November and the full participation of the Youth and Young Adults in the morning worship experiences in our congregations on Lord's Day, 16th November . Happy Youth and Young Adults Day to all our MCCA youth.

New Executive

The Mount Zion Methodist Church, Nicholls Town Youth Fellowship had its first election of officers on October 10, 2008. The new executive members are Mr. John Curry Jr.-President, Mr. Angelo Dorset-Vice President, Ms. Shaquille Bowleg-Secretary/Treasurer, and Ms. Danisha Bagot-Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer. The elections was done by Rev. Mark Christmas, Superintendent Minister of the Andros Circuit. The BTCIC youth network wishes the new executive every blessing in the work of Christ's Church.

Prayer for Turks and Caicos Islands

Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike devasted the islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We remember the people on the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos where many of them have lost their homes and are without electricty, clean water and food. Our ministers and members need our help and prayers at this time. Let us open our hands and hearts to give, as this would benefit even our young people on these islands.

Let us pray to the Lord!

Back To School

It was an exciting time for the children of our congregations to celebrate back to school. On the first Lord's Day, September 7, the children in the Andros Circuit dressed up nicely in their school uniforms and entered the Wesley Mount Zion Methodist Church for worship. The worship service was filled with hymns, choruses, scripture reading, prayers and reflections by our youth and teachers. The melodious music of the drums filled the room. This was led by Bro. Vincent Rolle, a steward and Acting Vice Principal of the North Andros High School. Johnte Curry shared in reflection on " My Exchange Experience" and Leroy Woodside Jr. shared on "My Youth Gathering Experience", which were two summer experiences. Sis. Terrice Carey-Curry then highlighted the achievements of our students, both academically and non-academically. We must say that we do have some high achievers like Leanne Woodside who achieved 6 BJCs, Micah Russell who achieved 3.7 gpa in grade five and is now the Head Boy of the Nicholls Town Primary School, and other children with 3 point plus gpa in their academics. We also celebrate with Kadisha Scott, who represented her school, Nicholls Town Primary, in the Primary Schools track and field games in Nassau, and the list continues..... However, we cannot forget our teachers, as mention was made of Sis. Terrice Curry (Principal) and Bro. Vincent Rolle(Acting Vice Principal). These are new appointments on the administrative staff of North Andros High School. The mediation was given by Rev. Mark Christmas.

We thank God for our teachers, children and youth. As they go back to school, we pray God's richest blessing on them for a successful school year. Keep up the good work , Methodist young people.

Commonwealth Youth Exchange Programme

The Commonwealth Youth Exchange Programme(CYE) began with the visit of eleven (11) young people from the Liverpool District of the Methodist Church in Britain to the Bahamas. They were led by Rev. Alistair and Sarah Lowe and Ms. Ruth East. The group visited the Nassau Circuit, August 5-16, Andros Circuit-August 16-26, and the Grand Bahama Circuit-August 26-Sept 2. While they were visiting these circuits they participated in various activities which covered tourism and social outreach. These included visit with the Governor General and the Minister of Tourism, Atlantis, Pirates of the Caribbean, All Saints Camp, Home outreach, Vacation Bible School, Urban Renewal, work on St. Paul's Methodist College, learning authentic craft, participation in worship services and prayer services. The group also found time to relax and enjoyed the sun, sea and sand on the islands, especially on Andros. New friendships were formed, and it is the hope of the youth in the Bahamas/Turks and Caicos Islands Conference (MCCA) to visit Liverpool in 2009 to complete the exchange experience.

We wish the team from Liverpool a safe journey back home. May God bless and guide you.

Youth Gathering

It is a few weeks since our Youth Gatheirng ended. However, I will share some information of what happened. The Youth Gathering was the first after 16 years in our District Conference area. It started on July 25 and ended on July 31, 2008. It was held at the St. Paul's Methodist School in Grand Bahama under the theme, "We are the Branches: Abiding in Christ.". The youth were all excited as they gathered together from four of the five circuits. Oh, what an exciting feeling as they arrived one by one, two by two, three by three. The boys so graciously assisted the girls with their luggage and everyone began getting to know names. Down to St. Paul's Methodist College we went. The airbeds were opened, persons suffered from cultural shock but all knew that they had to adjust only for one week.
The daily sessions began with Keep Fit and yes, it was hard waking up the young people at times. Meals were made available, breakfast, lunch and dinner-you would think that you entered a restaurant. Informative and soul searching sessions took place, such as Bible Studies, Puppet Making, Dance, Tie-Dye, Crime and Violence, Anger Management, HIV/AIDS and STI's and Etiquette. The Youth Concert was the highlight as many of the campers gave their lives to Christ. What a moving experience that was when a christian drama group " Pages of Life" did a powerful drama of youth issues.
All work and no play make Jack and Jill a dull person. Yes indeed, there was much play as the campers were placed in groups- Roots, Fruits, Trunks and Branches. They were judged on duties for the day and the sports. Oh the sports! The young people had fun as they kicked off their shoes, ran with water leaking out of a cup, had horse rides around chairs and played basketball. The bond fire was a smash as hotdogs and marshmallows caused the bin to blow up and fly a few feet across the basket ball court. Well, well, the water fights( fun) and the face pacing with toothpaste, cream and cake or even anything the young people got their hands was a night for no sleep for counsellors, but it was all worth it.
In the end, with all the drama at the start and the dancing at the end, Youth Gathering 2008 was a success. Praise God!

Thanks to all we assisted with this ministry.

Bahamas/Turks and Caicos Islands Conference Youths on the move

Bahamas/Turks and Caicos Islands Youths are on the move. Finally, our blog is set up and we welcome comments and the sharing of information. The Youth Department of this Conference area is seeking to develop good relationships among youth, plus encouraging them to share activities that are happening in their circuits. It is hoped that many of our young people would take advantage of this opportunity to meet new friends from across the waters and to grow in Christ in 2009 and beyond. Youth leaders, ministers and the youth themselves are invited to share in this journey of blogging important information and exciting adventures.
Persons outside of our District are invitied to share. Do not be afraid to post your name as this will be a beginning of a long lasting friendship in Christ.
Please pray for the youth arm of our church. May God bless you as we share.

Stacia