Hope 2008 in Exeter
Churches in villages, towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, churches working together like never before.
At its heart Hope 08 is about making Jesus known through positive involvement in our communities. It is about loving and serving people in the name of Jesus; it is about coming alongside our neighbourhoods, listening to their needs and working in partnership with others.
By working in partnership with the police, local authorities and primary care trusts as well as other local churches, your church could help provide services to address issues such as debt dependency, hunger, homelessness and drug and alcohol addictions. There will be many school and university missions, fun days, bbq's, kids clubs, estate clean-ups and much, much more......
Fresh Hope - January & February 2008
As people enter the New Year they are often full of hope about the approaching 12 months and hold New Year resolutions in order to develop new and better habits.
This presents an exciting opportunity for Churches to come alongside people and offer help and advice as to how we can improve or our lives. Fresh Hope is all about your church offering ‘Lifestyle’ Courses which will help people to achieve their yearly goals. Such courses could include Healthy Eating, Exercise Classes, Weight Loss Programme, Marriage/Relationship Courses, Parenting Classes, a Vocational Inspiration Course, Financial Freedom Programme or Recovery Courses.
Maybe you could connect with other local churches to work together to provide such courses.
The Big Hope - Easter 2008
Easter provides a wonderful opportunity to gather the church and the community together to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we find him in.
It’s a key time in the church calendar and we have a fantastic opportunity to allow Easter to become more
accessible to our communities, providing an opportunity for those outside of the church to explore both sides of the story of Jesus’ death & resurrection. A time for us to focus on the sorrow of Jesus’ suffering on the cross, a theme allowing us the chance to reach out to those around us who are in pain. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the new life we find in Him. Easter gives us time to bless and serve our communities and to get the message of the cross in fresh and interesting ways.
Great ideas could include a church fun day, Easter themed events, the Last Supper, Reflective Prayer, Easter Study Groups, Flower Festivals, Films on the Crucifixion, Passion Plays.
Whatever you feel you can achieve, plan something for Easter 2008. Maybe join with other churches?
Hope on the Streets - May Bank Holiday(s) 2008
During May 2008 the plan is for churches all over Britain to provide One Million acts of kindness to people within our surrounding communities. Churches are looking to roll up their sleeves and make a real difference by serving the needs of those around us. Carrying not just a message of words but action.
Projects could include visual clear-ups like rubbish & litter picking or cleaning graffiti, Interactive projects involving local people such as a community clear up or a consultation/listening project which will identify the needs of the community and engage a plan of action.
Maybe you could engage with existing organizations and assist them in serving the aims of local charities, visiting prisons, helping local youth clubs, just offering an extra pair of hands to local community action initiatives. Supporting works within the community which may be struggling.
Initiatives such as Hope on the Streets will always pave the way for people to ask why we are helping the community in such a way. A great opportunity to answer those questions is to host events in the evening which could carry a message of the great news of Jesus such as a BBQ, quiz night, youth events, live entertainment incorporating some form of testimony.
Hope Explored - September 2008
Many people have questions about the Christian faith and courses like Alpha give them an opportunity to hear a bit more about it and discuss their views in a relaxed and non-threatening environment.
Churches may wish to host a variety of Just-looking groups in various locations around the community i.e. Universities, colleges, schools, businesses, leisure centres, house groups, pubs & Restaurants, churches, play groups, book clubs. The possibilities are endless, why not think now about what sort of course you would like to host and what environment you wish to target?
Individuals would be under no pressure to agree, but presented with a genuine opportunity to engage in the exploration of the Christian faith.
The Gift of Hope - Christmas 2008
In 1999 only 35% of the population attended church over the Christmas period, since then the number has steadily increased (2006 saw a reported 46% of the population attend a Christian Service). This is an estimated 27 million people and presents us with a wonderful opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus.
The challenge for the Gift of Hope is to encourage churches in what they are currently doing and to see if they can make it even better, continuing to reach our communities with both word and action.
Idea’s for Christmas are endless from special themed services, carol concerts, social outreach, childrens events for the possibilities are endless. Why not close to celebrate together the year of HOPE 2008?
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