Torch relay
The flame for the 2012 Games will arrive at Lands End and be taken within an hour of most communities in the UK before it finally arrives at the opening ceremony on 27th July 2012.
Here is a map with information of the locations where the torch will stop.
Already churches are planning to work together for the great crowds expected, either on the route as it passes, or in the evening venues where the big celebrations will occur. Here are some examples:
- Mini torch relay around churches and schools on the island of Jersey
- Festivals planned with groups of churches, each providing a different aspect
- Churches Together groups coordinating volunteers to assist Salvation Army refreshment vehicles
- Methodists leading on 'Buns on the Bus' - asking for lots of volunteers to bake
- Choirs, Music Groups and Worship Bands from all churches invited to take part
- Groups of churches coordinating exhibitions and cultural events
- Activities and 'More than Gold' resources to share good news of the gospel here.
Presidents say working together is 'unprecedented'!
At the time of writing this page we have 6 months to go! At the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the 4 Presidents of Churches Together in England, spoke of the churches working together in an 'unprecedented' way. To read the CTE Presidents statement click here.
Festivals
Churches working together will each have something to contribute to the whole. The best way to see this is in terms of a festival. In a festival lots of very different groups contribute to the whole - and the more diverse the better!
Two Christian agencies have developed resources from their own experience of working with groups of churches in organising festivals - each have resource material available for festivals here.
Hospitality
A key contribution from Christians working alongside other faith communities, volunteer groups, and a host of community organisations, will be in the field of hospitality. The Salvation Army are providing vehicles from which hospitality can be given, and local churches togetehr groups are ideal for coordinating the volunteers rota. All churches are encouraged to get involved, as each evening there will be a major torch celebration and it is anticipated that thousands of people will attend. Going on previous experience, it is estimated that a million cups of water will be provided. The Salvation Army will provide the base, and local churches can provide the volunteers, see the web page here.
In addition, local groups of churches will be needed to provide basic facilities on the torch route, from having toilets open to providing chairs and somewhere to park. Have a look at the detailed map of the torch relay route and think what possibilities can be offered, when, and what needs can be met.
Open top 'Praise Bus'
The first chapel from the tip of Lands End (here the flame arrives) is hosting a project that will travel the whole length of the toch relay. An ope top 'Praise Bus' is being provided and local churches are invited to use it. The idea is that the top deck can be used by worship bands, choirs, music groups, of all types and at each stage of the journey. The bus will be a base from which praise of God will be heard, and the prayer of God's peope will be offered.
See this link to make contact for your churches to use the provided Praise Bus when it follows the torch relay and arrives in your area. Click here for details.
To visit the dedicated website of the Praise Bus, click here.
70 days Cascade of Prayer
A network of various agencies are encouraging all churches to pray specifically for local communities during the 2012 Games. The Praise Bus is part of this initiative. A list of suggestions is on a PDF Shine as Flame travels.
Working together
The torch relay will be an amazing event which has already captured the imagination of the nation.
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