Fresh HOPE for 2008

FOCUSED misson in 2008 will transform situations in our communities that have seemed hopeless in the past. This is the message of HOPE 08, an amazing opportunity for church communities to engage with the people they serve, building relationships and inspiring others throughout the UK.

MORE than 900 locations have expressed interest in taking part in HOPE 08 initiatives in their communities. Ideas that are still emerging indicate that churches of all types and traditions can partner with other churches, with various Christian agencies and with local authorities and the police to make a real impact on their communities.

HOPE 08 is equally relevant for urban and rural churches irrespective of tradition. Steve Hancock, PCC treasurer at St Mary's church in Newport near Saffron Walden, is enthusiastic about
the benefits of using HOPE 08 as a vehicle to help the church to work more closely with the local community and grow in influence.

"Our church family makes a conscious effort to be open and
welcoming to people," he said. "But there is always more we can do to bring the church community
and the wider community together.

HOPE 08 gives us an opportunity to forge stronger relationships with our
neighbours and to shape our outreach to suit local needs."

Catching the vision
Churches across the United Kingdom are constantly at work serving and communicating with
local residents and visitors. HOPE 08 will support this work by:

• Facilitating prayer and a year of activities communicating the Gospel through words and actions
• Creating a lasting legacy of both physical and spiritual change in the lives of communities and individuals
• Supporting local churches in their commitment to serve and witness to
  their communities
• Encouraging collaboration between churches and agencies in reaching out to their communities
• Resourcing and training local churches to develop their ability to engage with their communities on a long-term basis.
• Impacting individuals and communities with the Gospel through words and actions during 2008.
  

Register for HOPE 08
You can register yourself or your church for Hope 08 at www.christianity.org.uk/hope
Developing a strategy for mission HOPE 08 is all about impacting the local community with the good news of the Kingdom, and to do so in a variety of ways, using different approaches. Yet many churches struggle to know how to do this in a strategic and effective way.

Andy Twilley, a Baptist minister now working for the Nationwide Christian Trust in High Ongar,
provides training seminars to help local churches understand the Biblical mandate for mission,
understand their local context, and then develop that theory into effective strategies to impact their
community with the good news of the Kingdom.

For more details call: 01527 579785 or e mail atwilley-livinglight@ mulberry-house.com

Resourcing your church
HOPE 08 has launched a new website www.hopeinfo.co.uk There are five short films online that
explore the high points of 2008, spaces for reflection and opportunities to discuss hope with
others. The website offers clear next steps that people can take in terms of getting to know Jesus, and the Christians around them.

Put your church online with HOPE 08
Church Insight have put together a complete website solution, designed to offer locally run HOPE 08 groups the chance to have their own website.

One of the most exciting things the website offers is the chance for people to be put in contact with
Christians around them. They will be able to request contact with someone in their area and get details of local churches.

The package has lots of features, but some of the highlights include:

• HOPE 08 theme - incorporating all the graphic design that's on the national site.
• Easy content creation - which makes editing your website as simple as using a Word document
• Blogging - a great way to keep your local Hope08 community in the
  loop
• Online Calendar - with automatic links to where events are happening
• Partner Directory - providing information on all the churches that
  are involved
• Mailing Wizard - a facility that helps you email out newsletters

Domain name included - they will automatically create you a web address to match your locality: http://hope2008bradford. churchinsight.com is a really good example!
The team at church side are offering this for £25 a month.

To find out more go to www.churchinsight.com/hope

More information For more information on these
resources or on Hope08 in general, contact info@hope08.com or 01273571939, visit www.hope08.com

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