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On Wednesday 22nd July, young people from the Bradford Episcopal Area and the York Diocese began helping to strengthen the bonds with the Area and Diocese's overseas links in the first event of its kind!
Going on an eight day residential at Scargill, Kettlewell, these young people were joined by other members of dioceses from all corners of the globe, specifically South-western Virginia, South Africa and Erfurt, Germany.
Below are regular updates sent to the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales by those attending the event while they take part in a large variety of activities and trips, particularly focusing on group work to strengthen the relationships between these young people and between the dioceses.
Steve Grasham, Children and Young People's Adviser for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, says, “The programme is for young people to explore their Christian faith together, to challenge one another and learn from one another.”
Ablaze will be holding an Open Day at Scargill on the 25th July from 12:00 noon to 18:00 for anyone interested in seeing what the project is about, with opportunities to get involved and meet the young people from the various dioceses.
Update 1: Thursday 23rd July, 16:00pm
“We now have everyone gathered at Scargill and the programme is underway!
Ablaze 2015 is up and running. Young people arrived from SW Virginia, USA, Erfurt in Germany, Cape Town in South Africa and across Yorkshire to take part in the first youth event of 
this kind!
Arrivals began at 11am yesterday and we have been busy ever since getting to know one another and starting to think about what having ‘Hearts on Fire’ means for each of us.
Yesterday we heard from Andreas and Jackie from the Scargill community, who shared with us a little of what living in a community is like, and the importance of community in general. We also had a game of Human Hungry Hippos, a 'would you rather' debate and ended the day with some chill out time watching a film and playing card games.
Today's theme is Hearts on Fire for Jesus, and we heard a bit from Steve this morning about Jesus setting hearts on fire with scripture (Luke 24: 13-32). We've also formed small groups within which we have already had some discussions about how each of us see Jesus, as well as playing some team games. This afternoon we are off on a walk up Coniston Pike and then there are optional activities this afternoon before our International Evening.”
From Steve Grasham, Children and Young People's Adviser for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
Update 2: Monday 27th July, 15:30pm
"Yesterday we hiked in the Dales behind Scargill House as a group. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I think we would all agree that doesn't even begin to describe it! We definitely felt God’s presence there.
“At the International Night everyone told stories, sang or showed something for their country. Not many eyes stayed dry when the young people from Germany sang Silent Night in German. It was moving to see and hear youth from all over the world coming together in a song like that.
“Saturday - today was a sort of open house where visitors and guests could see Scargill and experience what Ablaze is all about.
“Sunday was a day of rest, which many of us did. It was the first day that it rained. We had a Eucharist in the morning based on the theme of ‘Hearts on Fire for Love’ which was officiated by Revd Fran Grasham and assisted by Revd Connor Gwin in the beautiful chapel. Sumo suit wrestling provided great fun in the afternoon. For dinner we had a very British affair with Yorkshire pudding and sticky toffee pudding. This culture is so confusing – two dishes called puddings, one sweet the other not! An indoor campfire finished the day."
From our American contingent
Update 3: Tuesday 28th July, 12:00 noon
“Sunday was an incredible day!
“After communion, Jason Mains, one of the Ablaze team, gave a talk on Love from a very personal point of view that was at times both hilarious and very intense, thoughtful and sad. Challenging stuff for all of us to reflect upon.
“The afternoon was very relaxed, to allow us all some space.
“Yesterday we travelled to York visiting Bishopthorpe and The Minster. History and beauty combined. We got pretty wet but nothing seems to dampen the enthusiasm of the young people here.
“Our evening finished with a Taize service back at Scargill where languages of the world were heard in prayer and praise.
“To continue the challenge our focus today is Peace.
“More to come...”
From Steve Grasham, Children and Young People's Adviser for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
Update 4: Wednesday 29th July, 22:30pm
“As the end of Ablaze approaches there is so much to reflect upon.
“Stunning times of worship, a range of guests and visitors to make the event very special including a final evening concert by Jonny Walker and his band.
“Young people from across the world, having fun together, exploring their faith together and being changed by the encounters with Jesus that happened during times of deep joy and profound sadness.
“The prayer wall [see picture on the right] is just one example of the creativity and depth of thought throughout the week. As our Hearts were set on fire for God.
“There is no better place for Ablaze to have been than Scargill, a community of faith that embraced us welcomed us in.
“The date is set for 2017 when we hope young people from other countries will join those that were present this time (Germany, USA, South Africa and the UK).
“Further musings to come over the next couple of weeks...”
From Steve Grasham, Children and Young People's Adviser for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
Update 5: Monday 25th August, 10am
Will there be a second Ablaze?
Steve Grasham said, “The dates have been agreed with Scargill for 2017 (26 July—3 August) and I hope that we will also be joined by young people from dioceses and churches linked with the wider Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, especially Skara in Sweden and Mara in Tanzania.”
The image on the left shows everyone who was present at the Ablaze Open Day, including The Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford.
What did everyone think of the Ablaze programme?
“Through sharing meals, playing games and worshipping in many di?erent languages the youth from Diocese of South-western Virginia have grown closer to each other to new friends and to God” - Revd Connor Gwin, Canon Missioner for Youth, Diocese of South-western Virginia
“An amazing experience I’ve had in the UK that is built on friendship… I have a new family from all over the world now” - One of the young people from South Africa
“To see South African, British, German and Virginian young people get on so well and share spiritually, it is truly God at work” - A visitor to the Abaze Open Day
“What an awesome week, what amazing young people! The week ?nished with a bang thanks to Jonny Walker and band. There was so much dancing going on the chapel windows were steaming up” - A member of the Scargill Community
Read a full report of the Ablaze programme avaiable from the Overseas Links page of the Diocese website here: http://www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org/sites/default/files/files/ablazereport2015.pdf