Hello! This, as ever, is the livesimply eNewsletter for those working with young people or young adults.

It's a monthly resource for sharing news, resources and ideas on how to bring the livesimply challenge alive for young people. If you'd like to subscribe to the enewsletter, or share news or highlight any aspect of your work please contact us.

livesimply:promise

Summer is the perfect time for thinking about how to make the small changes in our lives that can have profound impacts on other people's lives. Whatever you choose to do, share it and get other people involved.

Meanwhile here are two Promisers we're inspired by this month! They're stressing solidarity; why not join them?

"I will take short showers instead of long baths and turn off lights behind me but I want 10 other people to join me."

Calypso, 13 years old

"I will wear my livesimply 'I've promised' badge but I want 10 other people to join me."

Ariel, 13 years old

Don't forget that there are "I've Promised" badges for young people who put their promises online. You can download the form here.

In-depth stories (get inspired and good ideas here)

Living Simply in Weoley Castle, Birmingham

Young people in Our Lady and Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Birmingham, lead by Rosemary Fitzgerald have been leading the parish in livesimply since their young people danced down the aisle to launch the challenge on National Youth Sunday. Read more here.

Leeds braves the Great British Summer!

Middleton Grange, Ilkley, welcomed the Leeds diocesan livesimply picnic this month. The weather wasn't quite what they expected, so the picnic happened indoors, with the Mass, celebrated by priest of the diocese and Tablet contributor Daniel O'Leary, in the chapel with music lead by young people. You can see the photos here.

Loaves and Fishes Pilgrimage in Hallam

Young people in Hallam Diocese held a 'loaves and fishes' pilgrimage on Sunday 15 July. They used the livesimply picnic liturgy, which reflects on the Biblical story of the loaves and fishes. Despite the wet weather (and see the photo if you don't believe us), the pilgrimage went very well.

Youth Festivals!

It's been a month of festivals up and down the country, and livesimply was there too. Here are three we heard about, and what they did…

Middlesbrough Youth Spring to Action

On Sunday 8th July 350 young people gathered at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire for Springboard, the Diocese of Middlesbrough's main annual youth event. Naturally, we were there with a few ideas for the local young people - read more here.

Brightlights

Brightlights in the Westminster diocese embraced livesimply this year, through prayer, a stall at the festival, cards in the participants' goody bags, and in a workshop in which jewellery was made out of 'found' items - that's a bit of recycling in action right there.

Aylesford Youth Festival

Over 400 young people gathered from the dioceses of Arundel and Brighton, Southwark, and Brentwood for the annual Aylesford Youth Festival. All morning, young people were invited to write prayers for change which were subsequently tied to balloons and released at the end of Mass. Thankfully someone had called Air Traffic Control, so no planes were downed...

Bitesize News

Yorkshire Martyrs close the year with livesimply Joanne Page rounded off the Academic year over in Bradford with liturgies focused on livesimply and taking responsibility over the summer. We'll run a story (and have photos) next time!

St Peter's, Solihull go Fairtrade! Under the watchful eyes of Rebecca Watson and head of RE Rachel Boyle, St Peter's has a new Justice Group, and has a Fairtrade stall that seems to be going great - good job!

Friend of this newsletter John Honeyands of St Bernard's High School, Westcliff-on-Sea had a whole school Livesimply themed end of year Mass on 20th July, which ended with a giant balloon release, the students prepared livesimply promises on tails which were tied to the balloons.

Resources

Livesimply t-shirts now on sale

Brand new t-shirts for the livesimply challenge are now available alongside the Mandela 'great generation' t-shirts which have been on sale since October. Shopping bags are coming soon! Find out how to get your hands on this year's coolest ethically-sourced clothing by clicking here.

Training

In time for National Youth Sunday, Pax Christi and Catholic Youth Services present three training days on solidarity and peace. All the days will start with coffee at 10.30 and will be finished before
4pm. Lunch will be provided. Email us to book places.

• Birmingham (St Chad's Cathedral): 11th September

• London (St Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, Victoria): 13th September

• Leeds (Cathedral Hall): 18th September
  
  Coming Up
  
  Look out for our member organisations and friends this summer…

Greenbelt will see Progressio talking seeds and Terminator technology. This technology threatens not just the environment, but the livelihoods of 1.4 billion farmers in the developing world who rely on seed saving and sharing seeds that have been developed over generations to thrive in local soils and climates to grow food for their families. Farmers have to buy new seeds every time, making them poorer - and the big seed companies richer.

CAFOD will be at Greenbelt too!

Liveit! the 6th form conference - 14 March 2008 in Manchester. An exciting, participative day of education for global justice! Take some of your 6^th form along. Find out more by emailing 14thMarch2008@livesimply.org.uk or clicking here.

Seeking: passionate individual who loves a challenge. Must be dynamic, caring and ready to put faith into action. Come and meet like-minded others at liveit! Manchester, evening of 14-15 March 2008 to celebrate livesimply. Together we can make the world a better place for everyone. Visit: www.livesimply.org.uk/event08

NATIONAL YOUTH SUNDAY! 25th November. Read more here.

More livesimply events

Work with us!

Event Manager: want to project manage the preparation and running of the livesimply network event in the early spring of 2008? Find out more and apply here

Sign up

Don't forget the livesimply Facebook group if that's your thing. Check it out for photos, stories, activities and discussions.

Subscribe to the young adult livesimply eNewsletter by emailing youth@livesimply.org.uk. It's a bit more irreverent and aimed at those 18-35.