CTE Presidents / leaders back 'Hope' as a gift to the churches

Press release from Hope 23.11.11
 
This week HOPE took a giant leap towards its goal of mobilising the whole Church to spend a whole year bringing hope – in words and actions – to people in the UK’s villages, towns and cities.
 
The Presidents of Churches Together in England, meeting at Jesus House in north London, signed a declaration endorsing HOPE, giving the backing of all the major denominations to the mission initiative.
 
Roy Crowne, Hope’s Executive Director, says, ‘HOPE doesn’t tell people what to do. Churches know what’s best for their communities. But HOPE gives national impact to local mission.
 
‘Momentum is already building towards a whole year of mission in 2014 when thousands of projects will be running to bless local communities as churches put their faith into action, living out God’s love, proclaiming the Gospel in word and action and doing it all in unity with other Christians.’
 
HOPE provides churches of all shapes and sizes throughout the UK with a shared platform to work in mission together. 2012 will see thousands of churches taking a lead in their communities holding a Big Lunch in their neighbourhood on Sunday 3 June to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
 
Describing HOPE as ‘a gift to the Churches,’ the declaration endorsed by the UK’s denominational leaders, was a launch-pad for united action. It was signed by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols; the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams; the Free Churches Moderator, Revd Michael Heaney and Bishop Jana Jeruma Grinberga, the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain who also represents the 'fourth constituency' of Churches Together in England, including the Orthodox, Black Majority Churches, the Quakers and others.
 
The declaration reads: ‘We were pleased to affirm the work of ‘Hope08’ through our individual Churches and as Presidents of Churches Together in England, committed to sharing in the mission of Jesus Christ, we are delighted to commend the on-going work of ‘Hope’ as a gift to the Churches in this nation.’
 
Ends
 
NOTES TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS
 
Media Enquiries: For an interview with Roy Crowne, further information or high resolution copies of the attached photos please call the HOPE Communications team:  Lucy Cooper 07810 183635 or Catherine Butcher 07850 083414.

 
Photo above - Church leaders support HOPE
(left to right) General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Rev Jonathan Edwards; General Secretary of the Methodist Church, Rev Dr Martyn Atkins; National Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, Bishop Wilton Powell; General Superintendent of the Elim Pentecostal Church, Rev John Glass; Free Churches Moderator, Rev Michael Heaney; Associate Director of HOPE and Pastoral aide to the Senior Pastor at Jesus House, Rev Yemi Adedeji; Executive Director of HOPE, Roy Crowne; The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams; Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols; Chairman of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Council and Senior Pastor of Jesus House, Pastor Agu Irukwu; Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga.
 
What makes HOPE distinctive?

Together - churches and ministries, from all traditions, uniting for the purpose of mission
Actions - local churches building community and investing in their town, village or city
Words - sharing Christian hope through words as well as action, in culturally relevant ways

HOPE supports the local church to speak and live its mission, in unity.
 
HOPE calendar
•          The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – churches, all over the UK, thanking God together for the Queen and celebrating in local communities with a Big Lunch on Sunday 3 June, 2012.
•          2012 Olympics – reaching out through sporting events in partnership with More than Gold.
•          Harvest 2012 – demonstrating and sharing the love of God through thanksgiving festivals in schools and churches.
•          And more -- it doesn’t have to be Jubilee or Harvest, as long as it shares faith in words and actions in your community.
•          Building towards 2014 - a year of mission in 2014 with community-focused events throughout the Christian calendar such as Easter, Pentecost, Christmas.
 

Lucy Cooper
Communications
HOPE
London Office: 020 7207 2107
Mobile: 07810 183635
Email: lucy.cooper@hopetogether.org.uk
Hope Website: www.hopetogether.org.uk