“Send your Holy Spirit to light up our lives”

ia Centre

Torch Relay prayers released

18 May 2012

Two new prayers, released today at www.olympics.churchofengland.org, are to 'accompany' the Torch Relay on its tour of England. They will be used by many of the CofE's 16,000 churches publicly as the Torch makes its 70-day tour of the nation, travelling within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

Composed by the Liturgical Commission, the new Church of England prayers read:
 Torch Relay Prayers

Loving God,
as this torch travels our nation,
preparing us to celebrate the skill and determination of
those competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games,
strengthen us to love you and serve our neighbour
with all the skill and determination you give us,
through Christ, the light of the world. Amen.

As this light travels our nation,
may your light, O God, shine in the hearts of all
who gather to celebrate the energy, skill and dedication of others.
Send your Holy Spirit
to light up our lives
and set our hearts on fire with love for you;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

They are available alongside a free pdf download of liturgical resources for use during the 2012 Games, containing suggested Bible readings, prayers, collects and litanies.

The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton, and Cornwall Methodist District chairman, Revd Steve Wild, will be the first to use one of the new prayers at a special event marking the arrival of the Torch at Land's End on the evening of Friday, May 18. Bishop Tim and Revd Wild will be kindling a second Prayer Relay torch from a beacon being lit close to Land's End, at Chapel Carn Brea, to symbolise the Gospel coming into Cornwall via the first Celtic missionaries. Twelve lamps will be lit from the Torch (one for each deanery), and churches from all denominations will then be invited to use the lamps to light an Olympic prayer flame for their own church. Bishop Tim and Revd Wild will conduct a ceremony of blessing for the Prayer Relay's baton, which is to be handed over from community to community over the following 70 days. Among those involved with these exchanges are the Bishops of Durham, Newcastle and Whitby.

The Prayer Relay is an initiative of More Than Gold, an ecumenical initiative set up by all the main Christian denominations. More Than Gold has released a free guide, Praying During the 70-Day Prayer Relay, to inspire Christians and churches to contribute to a 'cascade' of prayer and praise as the Flame travels around the nation; it is available at www.morethangold.org.uk/prayerrelay.

Many churches are planning Torch Relay and Prayer Relay-related events and services. For example, churches across Cornwall will be serving a record number of free cream teas in their local communities; and St Johns Church, Greenhill, Weymouth, will be open for coffee/tea and bacon sandwiches to on-lookers on the morning of 13 July.

Bishop Tim Thornton said: "It is a great privilege to be first in the chain of events and to be able offer a Christian perspective on the passage of the Olympic torch across Cornwall. We are trying to help even the most rural of communities feel part of the action. 

"These specially composed prayers are the ideal way to celebrate the Torch relay as we prepare as a nation for the 2012 Games. I encourage people to pray them over the next 70 days."

The Modern Olympics

 The Modern Olympics

An illustrated talk

Friday, May 18, 7.30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Palmeira Square Hove

Former BBC correspondent Paul Legg, who writes about sport for The Times, takes us on an action-packed journey from Athens 1896 to London 2012 with special emphasis on the early 20th century.

The presentation includes archive footage of the early Games, including London 1908, extracts from “Chariots of Fire”, Leni Riefenstahl’s controversial film of the Berlin Olympics and revisits the “Austerity Games” in London 1948.

Get ready for London 2012 by recalling the sporting dramas which paved the way.

Admission free Donations welcome





The running track at Athens in 2004

(a re-creation of the 1896 track)





Atheletes prepare to run the 100 metres at the first Modern Olympics in Athens in 1896



So - how are you getting ready for the Games?

In Eastbourne…

Ten different Eastbourne churches are partnering together to offer holiday clubs for 5-11s. Each church will offer a programme of between 3 and 6 days which will teach through Luke's Gospel, involve sports and craft activities and plenty of fun and games. On the final day - Saturday 28th July - we converge on the local running track. There, 300+ children will compete in child-friendly track and field events and we will bring our gospel teaching to a climax. The parents will be invited for a medals ceremony and then the town is invited to a BBQ, bouncy castle and other fun events.

In Wivelsfield…

Their Village Day was reinstated a few years ago and the Parish Church has always played a prominent role in both the organising and on the Day itself. St Peter and St John the Baptist always carry the festivities over to the next Day with a Sunday Morning Café Church Service in the Village Hall. This year they have picked up the Games 2012 and are getting ready for their 'Olympic themed' Village Day to be held on Saturday 14th July 2012 from 10am. As part of the lead up to this exciting event they are preparing to begin the Village Day Torch Relay in May. The Village Day Torch will begin its journey at the church and then from there pass from family to family and will also visit the local school, playgroup and many businesses within the village. Along with the torch will be a Blessings Book in which the current torch bearer/holder can send their blessing, kind thoughts and/or prayers for the receiving bearer/holder.

On your bike…

Revd Richard Jackson Diocesan Missioner is to travel the Torch Route on his Harley through the diocese a month ahead paving the way with a Pilgrimage of Prayer.

In Patcham…

All Saints are once again making preparations for their Community Fete and this year it will be having a ‘Going for Gold’ theme – including scarecrows!

Diocesan Youth Camp (normally in May) 1st – 4th June 2012 Plumpton Racecourse .
Has the title ‘Run the Race’ and will feature amongst other things ‘Wacky Races’ download all the information you need to book in your youth group here: http://www.yesonthenet.org.uk/events/runtherace/

And at both ends of the diocese at Petworth and Hastings plans are being put in place to engage with the Torch Relay as it passes through

Ahead of all of this a special Boat, part of the Cultural Olympiad will be Blessed by Bishop Mark at a special Celebratory Service at Brighton Marina on the 27th May

SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

More Than Gold Social Justice Programme

Think Olympics and Paralympics and probably you will soon be thinking ‘sports.’

It is then an easy step to thinking that because I/my church are not ‘sporty’ then there is not a role for us and a relevant way for us to engage with the London 2012 Games.

However there is a whole raft of social justice issues that More Than Gold is encouraging churches and individuals to engage with. (Hover over title for direct link to the MTG social justice site.

The issues that MTG focus on are:

1) Peace When students in secondary education in London were asked what lasting legacy they would like to see arising out of the Games they said ‘peace’ Historically the original Games were marked by an Olympic Truce, 50 days before the Games and then 50 days afterwards so that people could travel in safety. The idea of a Peace legacy extends well beyond the Metropolis and there is a whole range of resources to help you in your area work for peace and link up with other networks of peace initiatives across the globe.

2) Homelessness Concern has been expressed that London will be ‘swept clean’ of rough sleepers leading up to and during the Games. However homelessness is an ongoing issue that affects larger communities and often smaller ones where it is often hidden, ‘sofa surfers’ for example. There is an opportunity to monitor the response to the idea of London being ‘swept clean’ – if there is incontrovertible evidence that this is happening then this could be challenged, if not and if it is mainly anecdotal then we can seek to speak for truth. It may also be that people will be cleared out by unscrupulous landlords wanting to gain a quick financial return when rented property will be in demand with an increase in visitor numbers. Again the MTG social justice programme offers a good number of links and agencies seeking to address the issue of rough sleepers and homelessness.

3) Fair Trade Imagine the 500 meters when half the competitors had to wear one large and very heavy boot. That you would rightly say is manifestly unfair – which is exactly the driving force behind Fair Trade. Getting behind Fair Trade during the Games could be anything from as simple as ensuring your coffee/tea it fairly traded to getting deeply involved in the issues whilst the world gathers to engage in sport on a ‘level playing field.’ If your Local Authority has an event planned you could campaign and ensure they use Fair Traded goods.

4) Environment The Games have been pursuing a ‘green’ agenda and the main site has been radically transformed from a former industrial wasteland with poisoned soil and polluted river. MTG are encouraging churches to run their own ‘greening’ maybe set themselves a target of achieving Eco-congregation awards.

5) Anti-Human Trafficking/Prostitution It is a sad fact that whenever large crowds of people gather for an event like the Games the sex trade increases in its activities. There is evidence to show that this can include men, woman and children being exploited and trafficked and then enslaved in the sex trade or as a source of cheap labour. Away from London individuals and churches can raise the issues, campaign, pray and raise funds to help the numerous agencies engaged in helping those caught up in this modern form of slavery.

Shine out in your community!

Shine as the Flame travels
An Invitation to join a 70-day Cascade of Prayer

The Olympic Torch is to be run throughout the UK for the 70 days leading up to the opening of the 2012 Games.
The route takes it through more than 1,000 communities and within ten miles of almost the whole of the UK’s population.
More Than Gold long to see –
• The Olympic Torch Relay used as a catalyst by hundreds of churches to mobilise united and creative prayer for their communities and the Nations
• This cascade of prayer preparing the way for all the service, mission and hospitality taking place in thousands of communities during 2012 and beyond

Prayer Relay -
• When the Torch starts its journey, from Lands End on Saturday 19th May, Christian leaders will launch the cascade of prayer. They will then travel to the next main Torch stopping place (Plymouth). Here they will bring prayers of blessing and hand on a symbolic prayer baton to Christian leaders there.
• That simple process will continue day by day. That means, the next day, Plymouth leaders will travel to Exeter – and so on through the 70 days.
• This means each community receives and releases prayers of blessing.
It will up to the churches in each place that receives the Torch to decide when and how the prayer chain of blessing is moved on. We ask for the focus to be on praying for the release of God’s blessing and light among our communities and the Nations.

Plus - as the Torch Relay passes through communities they are encouraged to mark the event with prayer. This can be by –
• Individuals and small groups - praying outside homes, offices, along streets, in parks and in workplaces
• Churches or groups of churches - holding short prayer times in public spaces along or near the route and praying during the 70 days

With the needs of our communities and the Nations in mind, there is good reason to pray even when the Olympic Torch is not in the locality and this could involve –

• Prayer walking on every street
• Holding prayer vigils, evenings, days or weeks of prayer – some churches are organising weeks of prayer ahead of the Torch Relay in their deaneries.
• Be creative - one denomination has set up a ‘design a prayer baton competition’

In addition, there is a free 48 page publication to help churches engage with the Torch Relay and the period of the Games. It has –
• Ideas for large screen festivals, barbecues, street parties, picnics, breakfasts, children’s games, sports quizzes and competitions.
• Resources for church activities, including an all-age sermon outline sketches, prayers and outlines for small groups. To help churches publicise their activities there is a sample press release and a church magazine article.
Details of this and other free resources from More Than Gold can be found at www.morethangold.org.uk/free-resources

Hover over the title for direct link and more details…

Community Live Sites

Live Sites are big screens and event spaces in urban centre’s offering live information, video, news and community events.

Get down to your local Live Site for all the latest news, interactive events and live coverage of the London 2012 Games.

There are 22 big screens operating at locations across the UK. Working with the BBC and local authorities, they feature all the latest action and news from London 2012. They also feature a broad range of UK-wide and local content, events and partnerships with community, arts and media organisations.
Celebrations across the capital

London Live 2012 is the UK’s biggest free celebration of the London 2012 Games, taking place at three of London’s most iconic locations: Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square.
There will be live coverage of all the medal events on state-of-the-art screens, a variety of entertainment including live music and outdoor arts, plus opportunities to try out Olympic and Paralympic sports.

There are also two special Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park which will coincide with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Ticket prices and headline acts for these will be announced in early 2012.

Find out more and register your interest at the London Live website http://www.londonlive.uk.com
London Live is a partnership with the Mayor of London, The Royal Parks, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and international event promoters Live Nation.

The screens are erected and run in partnership between the London 2012 Organising Committee, the BBC and the various cities, in association with London 2012 partners BT and Lloyds TSB, supported by Cisco and with funding from the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor.

There are currently no registered Community Live Sites in Sussex!

Why not ask if your local authority is interested in establishing a Community Live Site, read our Community Live Sites Celebration Guide. Hover over title for link or go to... http://www.london2012.com/documents/general/community-live-sites-celebration-guide.pdf

The guide takes the form of a toolkit, and has been developed to answer the enquiries from bodies across the UK wishing to find ways to offer Games-focused activities. It provides guidance and advice on what you will need to address if you are planning a Community Live Site, and how to go about setting one up. As a Church/Churches you could offer to help set up and run a Community Live Site.

Get Set

Get Set – a day to get ready
This is the day every church needs so as to be ready for the 2012 Games
You’ll leave with new ideas, strategies, skills and resources. All so your church can make the most of the 2012 Games.
• Each day is a Saturday from 10.30 to 4.30. With the cost is only £10 per person.
• Advance registration is essential to secure your workshop choices.
Who should attend?
Churches are encouraged to bring a team to Get Set. It is for all who play a key role in children, youth, outreach, events and more.
The skills and insights learned will be of benefit long after the 2012 Games dust has settled.
The workshop subjects
Choose 1 of 3 all-day sessions or 4 from the list of 8 electives.
The full day choices:
• How to run a community festival that has an enduring impact
• Using sport to impact children, youth, adults and sportspeople in ways that last
• How to be a Games Pastor and develop your ongoing ministry
Choose up to 4 from:
• New to More Than Gold? – how your church can make the most of the Games
• How to reach and minister to children through the 2012 Games
• How to impact young people through the 2012 Games
• How to use the Torch Relay to impact your community
• How to build a strong prayer foundation for mission in your community
• How to make the most of an international Mission Team during your Games outreach
• How to do mission through the Paralympics
• How to take action over Games-related issues of social justice
When and where is Get Set?
To book at the venue in the Diocese on 4th February 2012 at Crawley Baptist Church, Crabtree Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 7HJ Hover over Get Set above for direct link