'Spring'ing Into Action: Updates on New Roles, Exciting Projects, and What I've Been Up To
- Kelsea Hunt
- Apr 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Here's a wee update on this year so far, as well as an overview of what the summer will look like!
Firstly, in January I officially ended my sabbatical and returned to work part time (with the goal & plan of increasing my workload as the year goes on). I started taking meeting minutes for our two weekly staff meetings and for a weekly leadership team meeting as well as a few minor administrative tasks that need doing every few months or so, like creating rotas for different community life responsibilities.
I joined a ministry team called the 'program team' that is responsible for the planning and executing of different peacebuilding programs such as online small groups and in-person seminars. We ran our first peacebuilding seminar as a one week in-house project that went very well! In fact, we were so pleased that we took it as a template to create the Foundations For Christian Peacebuilding (FFCP) mini-school! A two week in-person seminar that focuses on what peacebuilding looks like in relationship to God, others, and ourselves and why it is crucial to Christian life. I'm extremely excited to be part of this mini-school, and to continue my own journey of learning more about Christian peacebuilding. I will also be attending a six week, once a week, online peacebuilding small group where I'll be meeting with several others from all over the world to discuss what it means to be a peacebuilder in today's world. If you are interested in either of these two programs, I'm happy to share that from June 12 - July 17 we will be running an online small group at 6pm EST and in November we will be running another two week FFCP. Please get in touch if you have any questions or interest in either of these! Registration is open now for the FFCP and I will share details when registration opens for the online group.
The first few months of the year are often quieter around here as we prep for the summer, our busiest season. That being said, we did have a few events happening. We celebrated Lunar New Year in February; sent out the DTS on outreach to South Africa in January and welcomed them back in March for graduation before bidding them farewell as they head on to new things; we had a YWAM Ireland staff gathering weekend; as well as a few YWAM An Cuan staff days.
In February I went on holiday to Italy! One of my best friends, Nadia, flew over from Hawaii and we went to Venice, Florence, and Corniglia. Nadia and I have talked about going to Italy together ever since we met, so we decided it would be a joint birthday gift to one another this year and off we went! We had gelato eight out of the ten days we were there, and enough pastries to make up the missing days. Saw beautiful galleries and churches, and enjoyed the sunshine!
Heading into the spring and summer, ministries and events start to pick up as we host several different groups, volunteer at youth festivals, run a multicultural camp, contribute to the village putting on the Fiddlers Green music festival, run the FFCP + small groups, and our building plays host to different one off events throughout the season. I also have several friends getting married this year and they're all having part or all of their wedding here at An Cuan which is fun and exciting! In July I will be heading home for a family wedding and am happy for the chance to visit and see everyone, even if it's a quick trip.
As ever, thank you for your interesting in staying up to date with my goings on and for your support! Wishing you all a happy Spring that runs into a lovely Summertime!
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