prime minister applauds hope 2008
December 18, 2008 at 3:26 pm | In Hope 2008, News, Updates | 1 Comment
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and national church leaders have joined in honouring the Hope08 movement in a meeting with local Hope08 volunteers and board members at 10 Downing Street this week.
Mr Brown paid tribute to the efforts of thousands of Christians who have reached out to their local community throughout 2008 in a bid to restore hope and demonstrate the Gospel.
“People of faith have been at the heart of just about every social movement that has transformed society in this country, from the abolition of slavery through to Make Poverty History. I applaud all those involve d in Hope08,” said Mr Brown.
Stephen Timms MP, the Vice President of Faith in the Labour Party, said there was “no doubt that Hope08 has succeeded in offering hope to people”.
He went on to say that this hope was “not the wishy washy maybe everything will get better kind of hope but the roll up your sleeves and actually do something about it kind of hope”.
Steve Clifford, Hope08 chairman, describes the event as “absolutely fantastic – I had no idea that Hope08 would have such a high profile as it did”.
All the Hope08 community activists invited to the reception are part of Hope08 projects that are carrying on into 2009. During the reception they were given the opportunity to tell meet their local MP and share their plans for next year.
Caroline Williams from St Albans has put in many hours of kindness through social action projects, one of which offers free water to people outside the local nightclub. She said, “There’s an awful lot going on into 2009, people can really see Christians in their community.”
christmas hope
December 7, 2008 at 9:46 pm | In Hope 2008, News, Resources | Leave a Comment
the main hope 2008 website is bursting with loads of great Christmas ideas to help you bring hope to your commuity – why not try it out?
hope explored
September 19, 2008 at 5:19 pm | In News, Resources, Updates | 2 CommentsTags: autumn, harvest, hope
harvest
Hope explored is the name we have given to an Autumn focus on inviting friends and colleagues in our local communities to discover more about Christian Hope, possibly by using one of the many resources we have listed. Why not click on the link to find out how you can bring hope to your area this autumn.
royal visit for hope 2008 leaders
June 26, 2008 at 9:09 am | In Hope 2008, News | 2 CommentsTags: Hope 2008, News
On June 12th over 80 Hope08 participants gathered at Clarence House, attending a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales.
His Royal Highness paid tribute to Hope08 – and those involved – for their ‘devotion and ability to motivate people’.
He said that he was ‘fascinated to hear about how Hope08 started and what a marvellous response it has received all over this country.’
‘It’s so encouraging to hear how it seems to have struck a chord. It’s wonderful to witness the fact that so many denominations are working together and overcoming possible suspicion – you are helping to overcome all that, and display that kind of witness which is so incredibly valuable.’
The full text of the princes speeech can be found here.
All the delegates present are taking part in the Hope08 ‘million hours of kindness’ scheme – serving their communities in word and action.
For example, the team of delegates from Hull have been working to help those around them, especially those who were victims of last June’s flooding. They have been working with the local councils to tidy and improve local streets and green spaces, encouraging young people to engage actively in community improvement activities, helping 13-19 year olds access education, training and employment. Other projects they are doing include clubs for elderly people, refugee groups and numerous community action events. The ‘great plant give-away’ was an excellent example of churches from outside the city (Driffield) linking with a church in the city (New Life) to support flood victims whose garden plants had been ‘drowned’ by the flood waters.
Bob Duerden – the chairman of Hope08 in Hull – said that Thursday was ‘a very good day that was most encouraging’.
The next high point of Hope08 activities nationally is ‘Hope Explored’, a chance for churches to invite those they are serving to find out more about Christianity. Events planned so far include town wide banquets, street parties and courses in churches throughout the UK. In the Hull area we are inviting people to ‘Try Praying’ over the summer and then to ‘Try Church’ in the autumn – linked to Back-to Church Sunday in late September
great plant giveaway
May 9, 2008 at 7:04 am | In Hope 2008, News | Leave a CommentTags: Hope 2008, plants
A large group of churches in Driffield have been preparing a massive gift for the people of Hull, and it will be unveiled on Saturday 10 May at New Life Church in Hull.
Realising thousands of gardens had been hit by last summers floods, Church goers in and around Driffield decided they did not want Hull to remain a “forgotten city”, so began a journey that has now led to thousands of plants being grown and bought in preparation for a Great Plant Giveaway.
On Saturday 10 May thousands of plants and trees will travel down to Hull, and New Life Church, on Bridlington Avenue in Hull will be turned into a garden centre, complete with cafe, for the day. Owners of all flood hit gardens in Hull are invited to come along and take 20 plants each, free of charge, as a gift of solidarity and hope between Driffield churches and the people of Hull.
Driffield Churches Together have chosen Hull’s New Life Church as a base for the venture after hearing of their work to take luxury food hampers to those in caravans over Christmas, and their endeavours to cheer up Hull through the winter through free concerts, pamper days, Valentines meals, Fun days and free studio photographs for flood victims.
The Great Plant Giveaway will take place on Saturday 10 May, 10am-3pm at New Life Church, Bridlington Ave, Hull. Owners of all flood hit homes in the region are invited.
For further information:
Jarrod Cooper
New Life Church
Bridlington Ave
Kingston upon Hull
HU2 0DU
t: 01482 610705
f: 01482 221090
e: jarrod@newlifehull.org
w: www.newlifehull.org
what you have been doing…
April 15, 2008 at 3:07 pm | In Hope 2008, News | Leave a CommentTags: Hope 2008
we asked you to et in touch and tell us what you have been doing, or what you plan to do as part of Hope 2008 in the local area. Here are some of the responses we have received:
Hornsea Churches Together
Just to inform you of some Hope 08 events going on in Hornsea through Hornsea Churches Together in case no-one else has told you. Yesterday, Saturday April 12th, we had a big litter- picking clean -up in the town. Morning and afternoon sessions of 2 hours each with around 40 people involved, some or all of the time. We had comments like ‘what a good job you’re doing’, ‘do you work for the council?’, (even though we wore big badges saying who we were) & ‘do you get paid?’. Some of the teenagers stopped to help; one man commented when he realised who we were ‘most people think church is just for Sundays’. We had the local press there taking photos and the ‘Hornsea in Bloom’ committee were pleased at what we were doing.
We have a host of people making bags from fabric which has been donated. One lady has made around 40! On Tuesday morning we have a coffee morning when the bags will have Hope 08 labels fastened to them ready to be given out freely to those who want them.
Next Saturday morning, April 19th, we have a ‘Spring Sing’ down Newbegin, our main shopping street when we will sing well-known hymns and songs and have Bible passages read in the open-air. We had an ‘Autumn Sing’ last year and people really appreciated it, some stopping to sing with us, others surprised that members of different churches could stand together. We are offering folk our eco-friendly hand -sewn bags, instead of using plastic ones.
I think everyone involved is enjoying what we are doing and we have more events at the planning stage. The offshoot of all this is that we are getting to know and make friends with Christians from other churches. Can’t be bad!
Willerby Methodist Church
Just to let you know that here at Willerby Methodist Church we are joining in the literpick/clean up by offering the use of our coffee shop The Square Well to provide tea, coffee, biscuits to any volunteer litter pickers. The Square Well will be manned from 10.00am to 2.00pm. We are Hoping for a good response.
New Life Church
We had over 500 at our Family Fun Day for Flood Victims, with free family portraits, sumo wrestling, endless food fair ground games and fun. Went awesome, despite a power cut!
We are hoping to hold a Free Plant Give Away, as Churches Together in Driffield are growing thousands of plants for flood hit gardens. We’ll turn New Life into a Garden Centre for the day and promote that all flood hit families can come and get 20 plants free. Hopefully 10 May. Will keep you posted.
We did a billboard campaign in Hull West for 2 weeks recently. 5 big boards, for £150 each per board, per 2 weeks. If central committee are interested in how/what then we can get these discounted prices through our TV agent. let me know if you want it for a HOPE promotion later in the year and I’ll explain. We can also get bus stops for about £90 a throw. v good prices. Good interest raised too from BBC and individuals getting in touch.
Cottingham Churches Together
Cottingham Chrches Together gathered on Good Friday at Holy Cross RC Church for a meditation on the Passion and a short discussion on “The Passion” (BBC) We then did a walk of Witness through the village ending off at Zion URC for a short meditation. Finishing at 12.00 noon. Maybe around 80 people did the walk. A good witness of what th Churches are doing together.
Voice of Hope Community Church, Market Weighton
We are holding a series of ‘Who is my neighbour’ coffee mornings/afternoons/evenings. Wherever church people live they are holding these times when the neighbours are simply invited to gather together and find out something about each other and put names to faces etc. The aim is to create a community spirit, draw people together and find out what needs are on our very doorsteps.
As part of Church Together our youth are involved in Rural Impact – making a difference to the community by tidying an elderly person’s garden, doing some painting or clearing up a neglected area of the community.
Also as Church Together we are having a family treasure hunt followed by free hot dogs and drinks and then a family games time in the park.
funding available now!
April 15, 2008 at 2:53 pm | In Hope 2008, News | Leave a CommentTags: funding, Hope 2008
Pru Todd of Hull Community Voluntary Services is seeking to set up a number of community-based projects across the City for the on-going and longer-term support of flood victims, especially the older and disabled residents – many of whom had no insurance and need assistance with such things as decorating (and gardening).
This looks like a marvellous opportunity for churches engaging with Hope 08 community action projects within the Hull City area. Your church could help by:
a) finding volunteers
b) providing a hall for the event
Pru is proposing an open evening on 17th of April, 6-8 pm, for any interested volunteers to come along and find out how they could get involved. She would really like to hear from as many churches as possible across the Hull City area.
If your church, or anyone in your church, is interested, please would you contact Pru Todd or Jayne Patrick on 324474 or at ptodd@hull-cvs.co.uk
THE DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING! All funds have to be spent by June 2008!
Activities can include such things as:
• Community parties
• Sports events – e.g. EURO 2008
• Arts, crafts, dance and drama events
• Rock Concert for young people…….
• Voices exhibition – people’s stories……
• Trips
• Activities for the over 50’s
• Community awards ceremony…… thanks and celebration…..
Application forms and an information leaflet for groups to use to apply to the CVS social activities fund, are available from Pru or Jayne.
this town
April 2, 2008 at 3:31 pm | In Hope 2008 | Leave a CommentTags: Hope 2008, hull, this town
The launch event for Hope 2008 (Hull) featured a specially written song with accompanying images. This is now available for you to see here (and on You Tube).
young people fast for hope 2008
April 2, 2008 at 3:24 pm | In Hope 2008, News, Updates | Leave a CommentTags: fasting, Hope 2008, hull, young people
One local initiative in Hull saw 8 young people aged 11-17 along with three leaders take part in a 24 hr fast to raise money for Homeless people in Hull. You can read more here.
get involved – plant bank
March 2, 2008 at 12:44 pm | In Hope 2008, News | Leave a CommentTags: Hope 2008, plant bank
The seeds have been sown in Driffield; the harvest can be reaped in your local community. You may have already heard of the plant banks that have been set up in Driffield East Yorkshire. This is the first part of a vision communicated by God to one of His servants. It now requires other saints to join with us in fulfilling God’s promise to your community.
We as a Churches together HOPE 08 team, have currently embarked on a plant a packet of seeds initiative which could result in thousands of plants of all manna of varieties being donated to the seed bank. We have already collected some generous donations from members of the congregations in Driffield and members of the public.
The next part of this vision requires willing participants with a local knowledge and a desire to plant the seed of HOPE into the households of flood victims, by delivering bedding plants and perennials into the affected areas.
The majority of flood victims will not be covered on their insurance to restock their gardens. So to bring some colour back into their lives and community, and we now require servant hearts that are prepared to partner with us in this vision, by undertaking the local distribution within their locality.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to share the goodness of God and present the gospel in a real and meaningful way.
Your church has an opportunity to be a blessing to the flood victims in your area and consequently be blessed beyond measure. To take up this opportunity and help fulfil God’s vision for your area please contact Angela Train on 01377 252230 or e-mail angelatrain@hotmail.co.uk
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