Do more together, in word and action
Welcome to the monthly HOPE update for June
Imagine all over the country in communities large and
small, churches working together, bringing Jesus’ story alive through word and
action. Imagine lives turned upside down and despair turned inside out.
Happy Birthday Church
This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, giving thanks
for the gift of the Holy Spirit and it is regarded as the birthday of the
Church. Christians everywhere will be having a party to mark the moment when the
spirit came upon the people. There are huge festivals, local expressions, public
praise meetings and fun days – spending time in our communities and engaging
with people.
Hundreds of areas will be part of the Global Day of
Prayer and spend time being part of something bigger – the Church uniting to
pray together. The Pentecost
Festival is a
massive expression of Church ‘leaving the building’ across London and is a week
full of events that sees the Church being present across the capital.
Norwich and Norfolk are holding a festival which will
Celebrate the county and the Christian presence within it. Towns like
Northampton, Barnstaple and Spalding are holding outdoor activities. Roy Crowne
will speak at Northampton and to Premier
Radio Sunday 8 – 9am. It is all go!
Local Story: Churches supply Solace to Rockers
While Kings of Leon and the Foo Fighters let rip with high-octane rock, local
churches are soothing some of the 60,000 hungry hearts with tea, cake, – and a
smile – at the Isle of Wight Festival, 10-12 June. The team will offer food,
prayer, chat and even foot washing at the church-run ‘Solace’ tent, hailed as “a
feast of hope” by Roy Crowne. An army of cake bakers from all the churches get
behind the team.
Full
story: Churches Supply Solace to Rockers
The Queen announces the Big Lunch central to Jubilee 2012
Churches across the country should get geared up to be at the hub of
community celebrations ahead of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations next year.
That’s the call from HOPE and the
Evangelical Alliance, following Buckingham Palace’s announcement that the Big
Lunch would be part of the official royal programme for the four-day national
holiday. The aim to see a million people celebrate together on their streets has
caused HOPE and the Evangelical Alliance to encourage churches to prepare for
the party. “The scale of the recent Royal Wedding celebrations all over the
country proved that the public love street parties,” said Steve Clifford, Chair
of HOPE. “Communities really come together over a national celebration like
this. Christians can be at the heart.”
Read
the full release: Queen’s Big Lunch
Local Story: HOPE Swansea
Members of Swansea council were amazed to see the dedication of volunteers from
local churches who gave up their Bank Holiday weekend, and came despite the
rain, to get involved in work on some long neglected estates. Project
Hope hosted eight projects. Each one was overseen by a member of the local
authority and this has really strengthened relationships between the churches
and the council.
Watch
the Project Hope video
Full
story: Council wowed by volunteers
Making HOPE happen
“We long for the whole Church to be meeting the needs of our whole community.”
says Becky Coster . Building on our 90 second interview series we talk with
Becky, a HOPE Practitioner and children’s leader from Bedford. We ask what the
area is like and what’s next in the vision.
90
second interview with Becky Coster
Big Church Day Out
The Big Church Day Out was
held 28-29 May was all about Christians coming together to celebrate our faith,
no matter what church or background. It was about people and faith, music and
worship, activities, families, and just being together. They seek to provide a
relaxed environment to introduce friends and family who have little or no
experience of church. HOPE was there and a grand day was had by all!
New HOPE staff
Out of our ongoing partnerships and discussions with agencies, churches and
denominations it has become apparent that there are two areas which would
benefit from a particular focus.
Pastor Yemi Adedeji – Associate Director
Pastor Yemi Adedeji from Jesus House has been appointed as Associate Director
and will be consulting with us in the short term in order to build a strategic
leadership team for the Black Majority Churches. He will currently spend time
with HOPE for 2 days a week, building on HOPE values and promoting relationships
and unity in mission across denominations.
Phil Timson – Youth Director for HOPE
As a result of discussions with Youth Agencies and denominations it was felt
there was a need for someone to co-ordinate the youth branch of HOPE. We are
delighted to announce that Phil will join us full time in July and will
hold organisations and groups together and deliver the youth strategy over 4
years. More info about him later.
Prayer
We would appreciate prayer for the new members and the team as a whole that
we will have vision, wisdom and ability to bring people together for the sake of
the Kingdom.
Please pray that through local mission and all the events and festivals that
people will hear about Jesus and see Him in ordinary Christians.
Big Church Day Out
The Big Church Day Out was
held 28-29 May was all about Christians coming together to celebrate our faith,
no matter what church or background. It was about people and faith, music and
worship, activities, families, and just being together. They seek to provide a
relaxed environment to introduce friends and family who have little or no
experience of church. HOPE was there and a grand day was had by all!
Local Story: HOPE Frome – Coffee Van
Somerset Police have requested a HOPE-backed coffee van for Glastonbury town,
following the success of one used in Frome. The Frome initiative has reduced
anti-social behaviour so much that the authorities asked for a similar scheme in
Glastonbury, where the problems on the streets are said to be more severe.
Freebies, fairy lights and a chill-out gazebo are the attractions that accompany
a Frome parishioner’s caravan which masquerades as a refreshment van.
Full
story: Police ask for coffee van to help Glastonbury youth
What are you up to?
We are already moving into summer and that means local festivals, celebrations
and area-wide events. Spring and Summer action projects are really kicking off,
many braving the unpredictable weather of May and June. Have you got something
planned? Please think about finding someone to film good quality video footage
of your event or project and take lots of people-focused quality photos. Your
stories and media will encourage others and
show
that Christians are being Good news. Whatever you are involved with,
whenever it is happening - please
tell us about it.
God bless you in your efforts to declare and demonstrate the Gospel,
The HOPE team.
HOPE exists to equip and support local churches to speak and live its mission,
effectively using word and action outreach to share the gospel. The desire is to
see long lasting spiritual change in the lives of individuals and whole
communities transformed. You have been sent this email because you have provided
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HOPE. If for any reason you wish to discontinue receiving HOPE email updates
please reply to the email with ‘unsubscribe to general updates’ in the subject
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