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Young people present graffiti-style art to Archbishops’ Council at exciting ‘Dare To…’ event in London

8 December 2008

Dare to Do

Enthusiastic young people from dioceses all over England showcased the ambitious new ways they are doing mission at the ‘Dare To…’ event on 6th December at Church House in Westminster - whilst an artist captured the spirit of the day in a new piece of graffiti-style art.

The young project leaders welcomed an invited audience of 80 young people from various dioceses - including some of the 10 dioceses that will qualify for pump-priming grants of up to £3,000 from the Church of England’s Youth Evangelism Fund (YEF) in 2009 for the creation of more exciting new projects in their areas.

Launched in 2006, the YEF grew out of a report presented to General Synod in 2002 entitled Good News for Young People: The Church of England’s National Youth Strategy, which included proposals for a Youth Evangelism Fund. It aims to enable more young people to connect with the Gospel and develop faith within the life of the Church by allowing the young to share faith with friends in ways that make sense to them. Each year for five years, eight to 10 dioceses are to receive YEF support to resource their dreams in mission.

At the ‘Dare To…’ event on Saturday in the Assembly Hall at Church House, some of the young people who received YEF funding showcased their projects either by interview presentation or by demonstration; a puppet theatre group, stand up comedian and drummers appeared live. Mark Russell, the CEO of Church Army and the youngest member of the Archbishops' Council, spoke and inspired all to be "daring in mission".

All attendees were encouraged to speak about their reflections on reaching their generation in a diary room chair and in other creative ways, including assisting Sarah Hicks, a graffiti artist, who was commissioned to work with the young people on the day. The resulting graffiti wall was presented to Mark Russell, Katherine McPherson and Dr Phillip Giddings of the Archbishops’ Council at 4pm for display at Lambeth Palace.