All over the synod area our churches, often working alongside others in the community, have seen Hope 2008 as an opportunity to be grasped. Not only have they been encouraging friends and neighbours to join them in swelling the numbers at J John's Take 10 series at Stockton and Gateshead, but they have been giving account of the hope that is within them through a whole series of one-off-events.
These are just a few of the reports that have come in to our Synod Office during the month of May:-
At Redcar on May Day Bank Holiday over ninety volunteers from churches across the town set to picking up rubbish from litter ‘hot spots’ in an attempt to bring hope to the communityr. URC minister Catey Morrison commented, “We were really surprised that many areas of the town were cleaner than we expected. However, considerable effort was needed in some areas – but we accepted the challenge!”
In Guisborough the same weekend the Bridge Association played its part in the national Million Hours of Kindness scheme. Members of the URC were involved in a community tidy-up along the dismantled railway line and odd jobs in people’s gardens who requested them. Around 35 people who came along to help reckoned to have notched up 260 hours of kindness between them!
St John's Kingston Park organised a "Party in the Park" at the end of May - a family-friendly community fun day on Kingston Park Green with refreshments, games, fairtrade stall, live music, church tent, etc.They were supported by the Community Association, Friends of Kingston Park Green and Kingston Park Primary School.
Glanton held a holiday club over the Easter school Holidays under the Hope 08 banner. This was the first holiday club for many years - 29 children were involved, and the week finished with a celebration Ceilidh. The churches of the pastorate are currently rehearsing the Wild Fire musical about the life of Stephen to be performed on Friday 20th June, 7:30 at Felton URC, then Saturday 21st June, 6.00 at Longframlington URC, and finally on the 22nd June at Glanton URC, 6.00.- all under the Hope 08 umbrella.
Pentecost weekend saw St Andrew's, Marton & Nunthorpe Boys' Brigade, along with others, washing cars for the community whilst tea, coffee and biscuits were served. It was intended to be a free, reaching-out to the community event - but people wanted to pay! And since it was the beginning of Christian Aid Week there money was gratefully accepted for that cause.
And there's more to come....
In Belford an environmental improvement scheme using Hope 08 volunteers is scheduled for one day in August.
Our central Sunderland congregation will be involved in their local Churches Together group in a litter-pick in the Gilley Law Area of the city, hopefully to include a barbecue and some entertainment.
Oxclose Local Ecumenical Partnership in Washington have had help from a diocesan grant to run a number of community events, and to set up an After-breakfast Club from September, to be held every Wednesday morning from 8.45 to 9.30.
Amble through their Churches Together group will be supporting a group of young people who will be involved in a similar project in that area later in the summer.
And Trinity Gosforth are currently talking with the local authority about setting up projects in the spirit of the 'Hours of Kindness' initiative, hoping to begin small with something like a 'litter-pick' or 'garden tidy', and also hoping to take it beyond Trinity.
No doubt there's much more to come - Send in news of what's happening in your area!
Go on Make a Disciple!
A half day of discipleship training for churches in the North East to help us follow up contacts and new Christians from Just 10: Sat. 28th June 2008: Emmanuel School, Gateshead. 9.30am-1.00pm. Cost: £3.50 to cover materials.
To book your place email: janmccuin@blueyonder.co.uk