Methodists@Madness 2026
“Summer Madness is a festival that brings together young people and groups from across the island of Ireland and from every background, giving them an opportunity to celebrate, connect and explore the meaning of faith in their culture and community.”
For many years, Methodist youth groups have made Summer Madness a significant part of their journey together. It has become a place where friendships deepen, faith grows and young people encounter Jesus some committing their lives to Him for the very first time.
This year, IMYC had the privilege of building on the faithful work of those who have gone before us. We supported leaders from Glengormley Methodist, Seymour Street Methodist and the East Belfast Youth Group as they joined together to create the Methodists@Madness community.
Summer Madness embraced the heart behind the idea and helped us provide a marquee where the groups could gather as one community. It quickly became much more than a practical meeting space. It was a place of welcome and belonging somewhere to share meals, talk, laugh, pray and experience what it means to be part of the wider Methodist family.
Thanks to David and Lydia’s wonderful culinary skills, we ate extremely well! Adam brought unrivalled enthusiasm to the afternoon activities, becoming our number-one supporter at dodgeball, football and volleyball. Whether taking part, cheering from the sidelines or simply enjoying time together, we had a blast.
Of course, no Summer Madness experience would be complete without the challenges of the weather. Soggy tents, black and muddy socks, and very early mornings all became part of the adventure. Yet even the rain and the mud helped to create memories, strengthen friendships and remind us that joy does not depend upon perfect circumstances.
The worship was lively and passionate, the speakers were challenging and thought-provoking, and the crêpes were fantastic. Most importantly, our young people threw themselves into the experience and loved every minute of it well, mostly!
Throughout the festival, many people with Methodist connections visited the Methodists@Madness marquee. It was wonderful to welcome them, share stories and enjoy being together. The hub became a visible reminder that Methodism is not simply a collection of individual churches; we are a connected people, united by faith and called to encourage one another as we follow Jesus.
At the heart of the weekend were our remarkable youth leaders. Their servant-hearted leadership was youth work at its very best. They offered their time, money, energy, creativity, and experience to bring young people to a muddy field so that they might connect with one another and with their Creator.
These leaders are truly “living letters”. Through their words and actions, they demonstrated the love of Jesus and showed young people that they are seen, valued and deeply loved by God. Their faithfulness created space for questions to be asked, prayers to be shared and seeds of faith to be planted. We celebrate them and thank God for every leader who continues to invest in the lives of young people across the Methodist Church.
The leaders are already praying, reflecting and dreaming about what Methodists@Madness could become. At the centre of that vision is a desire to grow this community and offer young people from smaller churches the opportunity to join something bigger—a place where they can belong, worship and discover that they are part of a vibrant family of faith stretching across the island of Ireland.
For IMYC, it was a genuine privilege to come alongside these leaders and young people to support them, learn from them and share in a few days of wholehearted discipleship. Amid the worship, laughter, sport, conversations, crêpes and mud, God was at work, drawing people together and reminding us of the strength and beauty of Christian community.
We cannot wait for Summer Madness 2027: to see what God will do next and how He will continue to shape and grow Methodists@Madness. The story has only just begun!
