Give it up for a new crew in town who are here to spread the word of God - with rap.

Take note Eminem, a group of youngsters is using rap music to show the church is in touch with youth culture.

So spiritual crew - members of Kelvedon's Youth Alpha Cristian group who came up with a Christmas rap instead of hymns

At a time when gangsta rap is being criticised for fuelling gun culture, Kelvedon's Youth Alpha Christian group decided to find an alternative to traditional hymns and carols.

The group, which has 27 members aged between 11 and 14, created its own Christmas rap and are now working on other raps to sing in church.

Sarah Openshaw, the group leader, said: "The focus of the group is to make things fun and accessible to young people. I believe the message of Jesus should be given to people in a way they can understand and I thought rapping might be a way to get people engaged with that message.

"There are so many negative things being written about rap at the moment, but rap doesn't have to be negative, it can be used for a very positive purpose."

The group attracts youngsters from three Kelvedon churches, St Mary's, the United Reformed Church and the Roman Catholic Church, St Mary's Immaculate.

John Driffield, warden at St Mary's Church, said: "It has an obvious plus in that it encourages them, but this activity will only achieve its objective if it goes beyond a Christmas rap to teaching something deeper."

Youth Alpha meets at the church halls, St Mary's Church, Church Street, Kelvedon, on Sundays between 7pm and 8.15pm. To find out more, call Mrs Openshaw on 01376 570381.

Published Friday, January 10, 2003

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