Last weekend, 28 young people from clergy families across our region gathered at the Mendip Activity Centre near Churchill for the annual Life to the Max residential. The young people aged 11 to 17 came together from across the dioceses of Bath and Wells and Bristol for a weekend of fun and outdoor activities including axe throwing, rifle shooting and climbing. As well as plenty of free time to relax and get to know one another, the young people tried their hand at Archery Active (think bows and arrows with foam ‘marshmallows’ on the end!) and took part in a game of Cluedo that ran throughout the weekend.
On Saturday evening, the conversation focused on one thing they all have in common: growing up in a family where mum or dad (or both) are clergy. The team invited the young people to share with each other one thing that has been good this year and one that has been a challenge before praying for them and encouraging them to spur one another on towards love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Thankfully the rain stopped for toasting marshmallows around the fire (edible ones this time) and for sharing stories and songs late into the night.
Sunday morning was spent zooming down the dry slope on toboggans and flinging frisbees into the woods before sharing a final lunch and heading home.
Asked what they thought of the weekend, one young person said, “It’s one of the best things I do all year!” and another added “It’s been a really fun place to make friends and do awesome activities. And for me personally, I went deeper spiritually with God.”
Ruth Slade from the Bath and Wells Go Team said “It was such a great weekend, seeing all the young people getting on so well, bonding over their unique life experience of living in clergy households, while also doing normal teenage things and having a lot of fun at the same time. What a privilege to be a part of it!”
Now in its’ 22nd year, Life to the Max is made possible by significant financial support from the Clergy Support Trust meaning the cost can be subsidised for clergy families in the two dioceses. More information is available on the diocesan website.