Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Just what is HOPE 2008? It is a national network of
Christian organisations who are wanting to encourage evangelistic
effort on the part of church people in villages, towns and cities
anywhere in the UK next year. The slogan is: ‘Do More, Do it Together,
Do it in Word and Deed'. There are suggested guidelines for the year
but also the freedom to ‘do our own thing'. The colourful HOPE logo is
national.
And Hope4Chesterfield 2008? It is a meeting of
representatives of quite a number of Chesterfield congregations who
responded to an invitation in November 2006 from Revd. Debbie Hopkinson
and the Good News team of the Methodist Circuit.
So what is to happen? So far, there are few definite
commitments, but lots of ideas. Cliff College in the Hope Valley has
been asked to come and work with us for a week in March, leading to
Palm Sunday. There was a Prayer Walk on 30 June 2007 and a booking of
the Winding Wheel Ballroom has been made for 31 December 2007 -
designed to prepare the way. There are regular prayer occasions for
leaders and others. There has been a brainstorming session for ideas.
There are to be educational and social action projects as well as
evangelism. These are being ‘worked on' and will be announced as and
when they are ready and as finance becomes assured.
Where will events happen? Some centrally and for
everyone, some more locally. We aim to affirm what happens anyway, to
make those things better known, but also to enrich the usual routine in
a variety of ways.
What will it cost? So far, the only definite outlay is
£3600 fee for Cliff College's services and £200 rent for the Winding
Wheel booking, and these have been covered by promises. A treasurer,
Barbara Holbrook, has been appointed and a bank account will soon be
opened, a budget drawn up and further outlay planned. Yes,
congregations will be asked to subscribe pro rata within their capacity.
Who's running it? A steering group, consisting of Debbie
Hopkinson (Methodist), Barbara Holbrook (Church of England), Jenny
Murphy,(Methodist), Peter Topliss (New Life Church), Paul King
(Methodist), and Adam Ruskin (Acorn Christian Ministries). But there
have been many reps from 20-odd churches at general meetings, and their
names and addresses are in a directory. If you wish to contact any of
the above persons, please use the contact menu on the left
