wfn.org | Cheerleaders brighten morning press briefing

["Lambeth98" <storm@indigo.ie>]

ACNS LC074 - 31 July 1998

Cheerleaders brighten morning press briefing

By Nan Cobbey
Lambeth Conference Communications

"S - P - I - R - I - T."  The 52 short-skirted, pompom-shaking
young girls 

shouted out the letters in a rhythmic chant, then sang "We've got
the Spirit! Woo!" as they advanced down the steep steps of the
Lambeth Conference pressroom amphitheater Friday morning (July
31). 

The exuberant entrance, both a shock and a success, made the
60-odd journalists and bishop-presenters break into grins after
40 minutes of serious business.

The Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders, who would take part in the
plenary on youth later in the morning, ranged in age from seven
to 18. They included one boy-the "mascot," it was explained-as
part of the team and one purple-suited bishop at the end of the
line. The bishop also carried a pom-pom and showed tremendous
zest, but slightly less rhythm. 

"Did he look cool?" asked one of the journalists, now quite
awake, referring to the accompanying bishop.

"He is a really good representative," said Dominique Tipper, a
diplomatic teenager.

"What do you call those things you have in your hand," she had
also been asked. "Pom-poms," she said. "P - O - M - dash - P - O
- M - S." 

Charmed, the crowd laughed and applauded.

The ethnically diverse cheerleaders, champions in both Britain
and Europe, train twice weekly at Ascension Church Center in
Newham in the East End of London. While many come from unchurched
homes, the cheerleading experience provides the directors "an
opportunity to share our faith," and the young participants a
strong connection to Ascension, which one cheerleader called "our
second home." 

The church connection posed a problem when this year's
cheerleading championship fell on Easter Sunday. Mrs. Shara
Brice, director, said the team considered withdrawing. Instead
they prayed about the situation. They made a decision.

"Our teenage cheerleaders led worship on Easter Sunday morning at
the World Cheerleading Championships," said Mrs. Brice.

For further information, contact:

   Lambeth Conference Communications
   Canterbury Business School
   University of Kent at Canterbury
   Telephone: 01227 827348/9
   Fax: 01227 828085
   Mobile: 0374 800212

   http://www.lambethconference.org