The Guardian reported again on Saturday with regards to the rising number of violent incidents among London’s young people. This morning on the news we hear that the number if call outs of the police to tackle violence in or around London schools has risen.

A survey of 11-16 year olds this year asked them for their favourite things about school. A resounding number of them noted that school was a place where they felt safe.

The significance I guess if that, is that schools are not the safe place I recall. With incidents ranging from being cut with a razor blade in PE to requiring stitches after being hit by a flying baguette from the canteen, things happen. They happen regularly. So how bad is it outside school? That us the worry.

School holidays always worry me a little bit as the children teachers can attempt to keep a handle in during term are suddenly not there for monitoring purposes.

Can we pray today . . .

For those teenagers who have ended up with the wrong crowd and now have a fortnight to sink deeper in with them.

For those teenagers where home won’t be a happy place filled with love, warmth and safety.

For those teenagers who see Christmas as just a period if time where you can demand the latest games console.

Bee mentioned finding a ‘one thing’ for 2009. Steve pointed out how great it would be if we all at church got ‘one’. If anyone thinks theirs might be involvement with local teenagers then let me know. There’s much to do.

Happy Christmas eve eve!

[Jayne Welburn]