Rock the Cathedral

Salt 'n' Light

Salt ‘n’ Light began by combining elements of both Rock the Cathedral and Walk the Walk. On a Saturday in September, The Old Palace and St Helen’s church were transformed into joint venues for the Worcester Diocesan Youth Council’s new event Salt ‘n’ Light. The young people of the youth council had a busy morning setting everything up and ready for everyone to arrive at 3pm. After some fun and games to get the afternoon going, the youth council organised three workshops for the other young people who came.  The workshops were linked to the theme of the day: Light of the World, In Yer Faith and Firm Foundations.  The Youth council wanted to help other young people in the diocese to live out their faith not just on Sundays but all the time, being salt and light in their schools and communities.  The workshops involved making a prayer wall, prayer wristbands, and glass candle holders using pebbles, sand and salt. These encouraged them in prayer, in living out their faith and being sure of the foundations they have for their lives. Joe, Char and Alice, three of those involved in running workshops talked about the workshops they helped put together in a video which was shown as part of the Worcestershire Council of Voluntary Youth Services AGM. Bishop John also took part in the day to reconnect with the young people who have made their personal commitment to faith before him during the confirmation services around the diocese. After sharing a meal together, an important part of any Christian community, the young people then moved to St Helen’s church for an evening of music and worship. The local youth band Formal Affair kicked off the evening and then Jon Pedley, chair of the youth council spoke about the way William Wilberforce had been an excellent example of someone who was Salt and Light to those around them. He encouraged the young people to do the same, saying, “May the Wilberforce be with you!” The evening was rounded off with a chilled out set from the band Til We Have Faces, who featured at last year’s Rock the Cathedral (as The Relentless Craving). For many young people in small youth groups around the diocese, both rural and urban, these diocesan events have had a powerful impact whether they have already made a commitment to faith or have seen the difference that faith makes to those around them and been encouraged to live out that faith for themselves. I think the mix of those who have already been confirmed with those exploring it at these events have meant they have been important steps in the journey of faith for many young people, be those the first tentative steps or leaping bounds in God’s service