Faith, HOPE and love in action
“In the Bible love is always practical,” said Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale. He was taking part in HOPE Sandylands when he took a break from helping local church members to paint over graffiti on a Kendal housing estate. He explained: “Jesus didn’t love us so much that he just thought nice thoughts about us… he loved us so much, he died for us. When we show love for the people of Kendal, we do it in a very practical way.”
The HOPE Sandylands Easter event was the brainchild of Sandylands Methodist Church in partnership with St Thomas’ Church, Southlakes Housing, and the local Residents’ Association. Students from Derbyshire’s Cliff College, local residents and church members worked together painting over graffiti, litter-picking and making local residents’ gardens brighter.
Local residents were thrilled the churches had come together to make a difference in the town. Cllr Sylvia Emmott, the Mayor of Kendal, who attended one of the HOPE events said: “I think it is amazing what they are doing for the community.”
The highlight of the 10-day venture was a Big Breakfast where residents were invited to explore the meaning of Easter. Local businesses had donated sausages, eggs and bacon. Cliff College students performed drama and gave talks about Easter in the open air. Jonny Gios, HOPE Event Coordinator said: “The week has been amazing: to see churches coming together with local res- idents has been heart-warming. But to see the church out in the community thrills not only me but I’m sure God is thrilled too!”
Brent and the rhythm of mission All over the country Hope14 mission activities are seeing churches putting their Christian faith into words and action together in a rhythm of mission through the church calendar.
Easter, Pentecost, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas are the key mis- sion moments that form HOPE’s rhythm of mission. The goal of Hope14 is to leave a lasting legacy of mission-minded churches serving their communities putting faith into words and action – particularly at these calendar moments.
Churches in the London Borough of Brent are getting into the rhythm of mission with five gospel café events planned for this year. Yinka Afuwape, Associate Pastor at Joy House London, is bringing together the local churches to stage the events. He says: “The rhythm of mission makes it easier to follow up contacts with the community – it helps to keep the momentum going.”
The first café event ran for three hours on the forecourt of Harlesden Methodist Church, which opens onto the High Street. As well as serving refreshments, young people were dancing, singing and giving their testimonies, offering facepainting and craft activities for children and praying for passers-by.
As well as the Methodist church, the churches involved include the local Anglican church, Salvation Army, Baptist, Elim and independent charismatic congregations. The network of churches has been developing for several years, with Hope14 and Crossing London being a catalyst to mission.
Nottingham’s Big Lunch Nottingham is one of the cities where churches will be holding Big Lunch parties on 1 June. HOPE Nottingham Director, Nigel Adams, says: “We plan to have churches all over the city hosting Big Lunches either alone or in collaboration with other churches. We’re also encouraging members to host street parties and invite people into their homes for the day to enjoy a meal together.
“The whole purpose of the initiative is to provide our church members with the chance to put their faith into action and serve local residents. We want the whole weekend to be an opportunity to help build relationships with our neighbours, to reach out to those so often overlooked, and, most importantly, to be good news for our city.
“Everyone who attends a Big Lunch will be invited to a banquet in Nottingham’s Market Square, Nottingham on Sunday 22 June, which will feature music from an open invitation Gospel Choir led by gospel music leader Freddie Kofi.”