Urban Soul 2009, community serving community

Over 180 young people came together for the second year of Urban Soul to live beyond themselves in this missional gathering of faith in action. Staying in Jacob’s Inn, daily gathering for worship, food and then going out to serve alongside communities across Dublin city with the message of hope and love and kindness. There were 15 project teams in all, mixed up with young people predominately from Ireland and Northern Ireland but also from the UK, Nigeria, Sweden, Lebanon, America and Costa Rica, performing acts of kindness throughout the week creating community (through free coffee shops at St George’s and Thomas’), cleaning off graffiti in a playgrounds, painting the outside of a building used for a youth club, creating community gardens, running fun days and passing out lunches to the homeless; all through out D-1, D-2, D-5, D-6, D-8 & D-12. Urban Soul was delighted to be working in conjunction with Dublin Corporation’s Re-generation Project and appreciate their generosity in supplying equipment, like hot dog stands, ice cream truck and rubbish removal for the initiative.

In the evenings we gathered together for dinner and an evening meeting and were opened to the 13+ age group as well. Artists involved included Paul Baloche & Band (“Open the eyes of my heart Lord”, “Our God Saves”, “Above All), DJ Roly Miller, VJ Shakinda, Drive & a special appearance from Foy Vance. With Andy McCourt, Mark Ritchie & Simon Thomas communicating a life lived biblically with our teenagers.

Urban Soul has many to thank and so would fail at thanking them all; so, to all the Churches, NGO’s, Government Representatives, Youth Workers, benefactors and, of course, the volunteers that made this another incredible year…Thank you!

Quotes

“ Love urban Soul (own it)!”
“ A very good Experience, would come back, I believe in what urban Soul is about”
“ The Community is so grateful for us being there and the look in their faces is thanks enough”
“The atmosphere has been amazing”
“ I have experienced God in such an awesome way”
“ Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be tools for God’s Kingdom”
“ Good balance between work & worship”
“Everything was great”
“ I feel we did make a change in the community with the work we did”
“ Thank you very much for the great experience, I would come back!”
“Even though I’m completely knackered, I had a lovely time! It’s been grand, you have a brilliant program going with Urban Soul”
“Worship was good, the bands were amazing”
“I had an amazing time. It’s been a great experience and I can’t wait to return!”
“We’re planning on bringing a team again next year!”
“ I’m definitely coming next year and bringing my youth group!”
“Good food, good people, good times ”
“ Everyone I came into contact with doing the services were very friendly”
“ It was just great to work alongside the locals “
“ I enjoyed planting flowers to see the peoples reactions “
“ Urban Soul has opened my eyes to how important it is to help the community “
“Urban Soul is a good way to meet new people “