HOPE 08
HOPE 08 provided churches of all shapes and sizes throughout the UK with a fresh opportunity to work together across their communities over a twelve month period.
Our Ministry Leadership Team is encouraging all our churches to get involved, and the following events in the area linked in with Hope 08.
Long Itchington was also celebrating St Wulfstan's millennium (he was born in the village in 1008, and became bishop of Worcester); some of the events came under both banners. (See the St Wulfstan website for more details.)
Other events in the area that we knew of are detailed below. Look at the bottom of the page for a prayer and a prophecy!
St Wulfstan Ale was on sale at the Harvester in Long Itchington.
January - Fresh Hope
12th Barn Dance to launch Hope08 in our area, with music from the
Itchen Bishops at Long Itchington School and Community Centre.
This was a great occasion, with a full house, and a happy atmosphere.
Someone was overheard saying they had never seen so many smiling
faces at such an occasion!
Thanks to the Ministry Leadership team who organised it, and to Dave
Richardson and the Itchen Bishops for the music and calling the dances.
19th St Wulfstan's Day: Mass in Holy Trinity, Long Itchington at 12 noon with
the Auxilliary Bishop of Birmingham, followed by a light lunch in the
church. Over 100 people came for a very inspiring service and enjoyable
fellowship over home made soup afterwards. Click HERE to see some
pictures.
February - Fresh Hope (continued)
7th First Bereavement Coffee Morning from 10.30 am to 12 noon at Jenny
Daniell’s home, Field View, Long Itchington Road, Offchurch. This was an
opportunity for bereaved people to meet each other informally over coffee.
It was felt well worth while, so future bereavement coffee mornings will
take place on the first Thursday of each month. (See DIARY for venues.)
March - The Big Hope
16th Palm Sunday: The Messiah - a performance of extracts from Handel's
famous oratorio, at Bishops Itchington at 7 pm.
21st Good Friday: The Journey - a passion play in the streets of Long
Itchington, with 'St Wulfstan' as narrator, depicting events in the life of
Jesus from his baptism to his crucifixion and resurrection. It was great to
see so many people watching - the church could barely contain them for
the last scenes.
23rd Easter Day: We celebrated the big hope of resurrection!
May - Hope Where You Live
'A million hours of kindness' at the time of Pentecost (Whitsuntide):
Christians across the nation offered practical help to their
communities, especially during the bank holiday weekend (2-5 May).
4th and 5th Free tea and cake were offered at Long Itchington church
and churchyard from 2 to 4pm, as an act of kindness to those taking part
in the Long Itchington Beer Festival.
10th Weston PCC initiated a litter pick all around the village. They met at the
Village Hall at 10 am. Black bin-bags were provided, plus coffee/tea and
biscuits on their return about 11 am. (This act of kindness was supported
by Weston Parish Council and the Village Hall Committee.)
10th ALPHA OUTSIDE THE BOX Day Conference, looking at new ways forward
for Alpha, at Meredith Road Baptist Church, Coventry, was for everyone
involved in helping with Alpha, and those who are interested and wanted
to find out more. Our own David and Johanneke led seminars on small
group Alpha.
June - Summer Activities
7th-8th (St Wulfstan celebration) Flower Festival in Holy Trinity Church, Long
Itchington ending with an ecumenical service on Sunday evening (6 pm),
with Bishop John Stroyan (Bishop of Warwick and Bishop William Kenny
(Auxilliary Bishop of Birmingham). Click HERE to see some pictures.
28th (St Wulfstan celebration) Pilgrimage to Worcester.
Autumn - Hope Explored
We ran an Alpha course with Southam Deanery at the Tarsus restaurant
to explore the Christian hope.
Christmas - The Gift of Hope
We celebrate the gift of hope.
Back to the top
St James, Southam
29th June, 31st August & 30th November (5th Sundays) - Coffee after 8 am
services and bring and share lunches (open to all) after the
morning service.
22nd June: Healing service dedicating the newly renovated 'Holy Well'.
12th July: 2.00 to 7.00 pm Fun in the Sun - celebration and
entertainment on a summer Saturday on the recreation ground.
Entertainers, games, fun fair, stalls, face painting, hair braiding - fun for
all ages, with five hours of live musical entertainment. Bring a picnic!
Organised by Southam Combined Churches, working for the community.
31st August and 30th November: Informal Cafe Church after evening worship,
allowing people to enter the church and ask questions on an
informal basis.
December: a Christmas Activity Day involving local schools.
St James, Southam
29th June, 31st August & 30th November (5th Sundays) - Coffee after 8 am
services and bring and share lunches (open to all) after the
morning service.
22nd June: Healing service dedicating the newly renovated 'Holy Well'.
12th July: 2.00 to 7.00 pm Fun in the Sun - celebration and
entertainment on a summer Saturday on the recreation ground.
Entertainers, games, fun fair, stalls, face painting, hair braiding - fun for
all ages, with five hours of live musical entertainment. Bring a picnic!
Organised by Southam Combined Churches, working for the community.
31st August and 30th November: Informal Cafe Church after evening worship,
allowing people to enter the church and ask questions on an
informal basis.
December: a Christmas Activity Day involving local schools.
Back to the top
Hope08 in Leamington Spa
Click HERE for information about what's on in Leamington.
A Declaration of Hope
With God’s help:
I affirm that in 2008, I intend to bring:-
H armony in place of discord
O pportunities out of challenges
P raise instead of criticism
E ncouragement to replace despair.
We affirm that in our Church, 2008 will be a year of:-
H oliness and wholeness
O ne purpose for many people
P rayer that leads to action
E veryone finding a place to belong.
We pray that for our community, 2008 will be a year of:-
H ealing for those who are broken
O rder where there is chaos
P rotection for the vulnerable
E nterprise for all.
We pray for our nation, that 2008 will be a year of:-
H ealth of body mind and spirit
O pen-hearted attitudes
P assion for justice and mercy
E xpectations and visions fulfilled.
We pray that The God of all Hope will give us the faith and courage to live lives that will release HOPE this year.
I make this declaration and pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
© World Prayer Centre, Birmingham and HOPE 08 Ltd
A Prophecy - Mark Stibbe
In Hebrew, the number eight is rendered by the letter CHET, which is depicted in the form of a GATE
The number eight is related to new starts and new life in the Scriptures –
Eight is the number of the gate… And I sensed the Holy Spirit saying this:
2008 is the year of the open gate. Prepare to pass through the gate. There are new beginnings ahead for those who have been waiting patiently for their moment to come. Obstacles are being removed. The Father is breaking his children out of a sense of captivity to past restrictions. The anointing for new beginnings is on many in this year. The time of frustration and exile is coming to an end. This is the Lord’s time for his people to rise up and follow him through the gates of opportunity. New starts are looming. Many are on the point of experiencing the new life that convergence brings. And the true church – even though it will know many trials - is on the point of experiencing new life, a new season of vitality and creativity, a brand new Reformation. A highway is being built, stones are being removed, and a banner is being raised for the nations.
So get ready… and do not be afraid. Do not be anxious. 2008 is the year of the gate… And there is a BREAKER ANOINTING on those who are pushing up to the threshold of their opportunity:
Click HERE for information about what's on in Leamington.
A Declaration of Hope
With God’s help:
I affirm that in 2008, I intend to bring:-
H armony in place of discord
O pportunities out of challenges
P raise instead of criticism
E ncouragement to replace despair.
We affirm that in our Church, 2008 will be a year of:-
H oliness and wholeness
O ne purpose for many people
P rayer that leads to action
E veryone finding a place to belong.
We pray that for our community, 2008 will be a year of:-
H ealing for those who are broken
O rder where there is chaos
P rotection for the vulnerable
E nterprise for all.
We pray for our nation, that 2008 will be a year of:-
H ealth of body mind and spirit
O pen-hearted attitudes
P assion for justice and mercy
E xpectations and visions fulfilled.
We pray that The God of all Hope will give us the faith and courage to live lives that will release HOPE this year.
I make this declaration and pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
© World Prayer Centre, Birmingham and HOPE 08 Ltd
A Prophecy - Mark Stibbe
Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
Isaiah 62:10
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
Isaiah 62:10
In Hebrew, the number eight is rendered by the letter CHET, which is depicted in the form of a GATE
The number eight is related to new starts and new life in the Scriptures –
Eight is the number of the gate… And I sensed the Holy Spirit saying this:
2008 is the year of the open gate. Prepare to pass through the gate. There are new beginnings ahead for those who have been waiting patiently for their moment to come. Obstacles are being removed. The Father is breaking his children out of a sense of captivity to past restrictions. The anointing for new beginnings is on many in this year. The time of frustration and exile is coming to an end. This is the Lord’s time for his people to rise up and follow him through the gates of opportunity. New starts are looming. Many are on the point of experiencing the new life that convergence brings. And the true church – even though it will know many trials - is on the point of experiencing new life, a new season of vitality and creativity, a brand new Reformation. A highway is being built, stones are being removed, and a banner is being raised for the nations.
So get ready… and do not be afraid. Do not be anxious. 2008 is the year of the gate… And there is a BREAKER ANOINTING on those who are pushing up to the threshold of their opportunity:
One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
they will break through the gate and go out.
Their king will pass through before them,
the LORD at their head
Micah 2:13
they will break through the gate and go out.
Their king will pass through before them,
the LORD at their head
Micah 2:13