Games opportunities

This page is a work in progress - started on 17.01.12.

Following on from the amazing opportunity of the Jubilee weekend, the world will be arriving on our doorstep for the Olympic Games. Who would have thought that two of the most significant community events one could imagine, both rare, could come together just 8 weeks apart!

It is January 2012 , and even the date has significance for us. The 2012 Games is constantly in the news for one reason or another. Ticket sales were a a phenomenal success, and although some wish it were not happening, most people eagerly await the arrival of the Olympic Flame and the Games proper.

'The Games' is a helpful phrase, used by the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), to mean both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is helpful if the churches use the same phrase and emphasize the inclusive nature of the Paralympic Games which may be media and commercially overshadowed.

Celebrating all faith communities
The international Olympic movement is proud to represent all faith communities and to bring them together. The central activity of LOCOG in relation to faith, is that all major faith communities have a contribution to make to the well being of the human race. For the Christian Church, Rev Duncan Green has been appointed to work with LOCOG alongside appointed representatives from other faith communities.

A significant event too place when the 'Faith Pin' badge was launched by Faith Community leaders, represented by the Christian Church by the Archbishop of Canterbury. To read a report of the visit click here.

Christian contribution
Among the Faith Communities, the Christian Church (generic) has a particular contribution to make, as Christians are followers of Jesus Christ and pray 'Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven' - as Jesus prayed and taught us to pray. Christian theology of the 'Kingdom of God' motivates the present day followers of Jesus to seek the values of God's kingdom 'on earth as it is in heaven'. This is based on God's love and further motivates Christians to love. We are charged to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to a world which often ignores God's love, forgiveness and new life.

The Games provide an unprecedented opportunity - perhaps only matched by the Queen's Jubilee and the prospect of 6 million people at The Big Lunch - for the churches to engage in mission, and to 'be' good news, as well as to 'bring' good news. To read more about the basic principles of mission, especially when we work together, click here.

More than Gold
The churches response to the opportunity of The Games is formally represented and coordinated by More than Gold who have three key aspects in all they help the churches to do:

• Outreach - reaching beyond the walls of the church
  
• Hospitality - a generous welcome in Jesus name
  
• Service - putting the love of Christ into action

Much of the material produced by More than Gold is aimed at the churches, to help them get involved.

At Churches Together in England we work closely with More than Gold. The CTE General Secretary, Rev Dr David Cornick is a trustee and CTE staff member, Captain Jim Currin (Church Army) is a member of the Executive Committee. Our key contribution is to help the churches work together in mission and unity.

This web area on the CTE website is one means by which we can help churches work together. We shall not replicate all the information provided by More than Gold, but use, interpret, and add to it, drawing on the wider resources of the Churches Together movement.

So, we encourage all churches in England to get involved in the opportunity of The Games - in partnership with other churches and community groups. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few examples for established Churches Together groups and informal churches together groups (upper and lower case CT/ct), to get involved in 2012 mission together.

• Festival - well developed resources are available
• Local Games - the modern Olympic Games started in a small Shropshire market town!
• Community arts - including Gospel music during the Torch Relay. One church plans a 'Band on the roof'!
  
• Linking schools together - most schools will have major Games theme - some are having their own torch relay!
• Residential homes for the elderly - churches can host a 'holiday at home' with a Games theme
• Network of homes for athletes families to stay - many of whom might not afford London hotel prices
• Profiling social issues - the Games highlight environment, trafficking
  
• Celebrate the Olympic ideal of peace - some church networks are highlighting this eg no gun crime campaign
• Prayer networks - as we think of the Olympic flame for the light of Christ to be seen in what we do
• Partnership with sports clubs - and special events being planned
• Torch Relay - Traidcraft have produced a resource book of ideas
• etc

On the More than Gold website you will find a myriad of possibilities and many resources - here we shall highlight that resource with material for churches working together in mission during the Games.