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            What is…  ?

It is an initiative supported by the leaders of the major denominations for the

WHOLE CHURCH  to reach the

WHOLE NATION for the

WHOLE YEAR.

 

In previous generations, we were a Christian country but there has been a steady decline and now only 8% go to church regularly.  In recent years, other Faiths have gained ground.

 

It is urgent that we win back the nation for Christ while we still have the opportunity.   Remember, actions often speak louder than words.

 

HOPE08 will involve the churches in Bexhill working together on local practical projects to help meet the needs of the community. This may be alongside the work of the police, the local authority and other agents and could help to address issues such as debt dependency, vandalism, violence, hunger, homelessness and drug and alcohol addictions. The actual projects will depend on the gifts and talents of our church members.

At certain times of the year there will be special events which will give us an opportunity to share our Faith with others in an accessible and friendly way.

 

PRAYER 2007

2007 is to be a year of prayer for the plans and contacts that will have to be made in preparation for HOPE08.  

Prayer opportunities are:

At St. Peter’s in the Ivens Room:

            Mondays 2.30-3.30pm

            First Saturday in the month  8 - 8.30am

Every Tuesday:

            At the Coach House, Manor Gardens, Bexhill,

            in Prayer Room  Come any time 10am - 12.30pm

Every Friday:

            At Ashburnham Place, Friday Focus -

            24 hours of prayer.   Led Prayer 1-2pm

 

Dear Minister / Church Leader / Friend, January 2008
 
During 2007 we have had a great deal of prayer in various groups and in our Prayer Walking from different church venues, together with monthly meetings at which various suggestions have been made about our involvement in the community in 2008 and beyond.
 
We have recently devoted a good deal of time in prayer and discussion about the idea of a drop-in centre for the teenagers which has culminated in the starting of the HOPE Cafe.  Whilst this will continue to need on-going prayer, we feel sure that God also wants us to be involved in other aspects of work in the area. Those of our church members who do not feel called to be involved in the work supporting the HOPE Cafe, could be involved in other ways.
 
The next monthly meeting will be on 17th January 2008 at St. Peter's Community Centre at which we shall be able to discuss further some of the other ideas that God has given over this year and seek His guidance as to which ones we should take up.
Please pass on the details of this meeting as appropriate so that we can have all our churches represented.
 
Perhaps I can also remind you of the Evening of Prayer & Worship for HOPE 08 events in the area. It will take place in the Great Hall at Ashburnham Place on Monday, 7th January at 7.30pm.
 
Many thanks and may you have God's Blessings in the New Year.
Yours in Christ,
Peter Ewen
 
For more information, please contact any of:
Peter Ewen  (tel: 214780)
Michael Ensor  (tel:  225918)
Menaka Simpkins  (tel:  736287)

 

      UPDATE  Oct/Nov 2007

 

During 2008 we are aiming for the churches in the town to worship and witness together more

High Points of the HOPE08 programme planned so far:

 

Fresh HOPE (January)

Ashburnham Praise Festival on January 7th in the Great Hall

The Big HOPE (Easter)

Palm Sunday procession with donkey leaving from St Peters

at 12 noon 

Good Friday March of Witness leaving from Town Hall square at 9.30am

Easter Day Dawn Celebration at Galley Hill at 7am

Easter Day Open Air Service on DLWP lawn 

HOPE on the streets (May Bank Holiday – Pentecost)

Open Air Service in Egerton Park at 3pm, supported by Churches Together

HOPE Explored (September)

Various courses in all of our churches  (e.g. Alpha, Exploring Christianity, etc)

The Gift of HOPE (Christmas)

Celebration in various ways in our different churches

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Practical involvement in the community being considered:

 

The HOPE Revolution – for the youth

Creating a “drop in centre” in Bexhill for teenagers.  We shall need the older generation to support by providing a presence each evening (e.g. Friday or Saturday nights 8pm to Midnight on a rota basis) and for others to provide prayer cover.

 P.T.O.

 

HOPE in schools and colleges

Working with schools, in assemblies and RE classes

 

HOPE over the summer –

Re:Act Urban Saints, (formerly Crusaders)  running a family day in Bexhill in August.

Some of our young people could be trained as part of the group going round to different venues in the country

 

HOPE – filled prayer

Continuing the Saturday “prayer walks” throughout 2008

Continuing prayer meetings, various times, various locations.

 

Also the possible use of Devonshire Square throughout the year on Saturdays; and working with the police, local government, and media.

 

Please join us for:

 

Prayer  in the Ivens Room every Monday 2.30-3.30pm

Prayer & Planning on Thursday 15th November, 7.30pm

at  St. Mark’s, Little Common

and for Prayer Walking each Saturday 8.30am to about 10am starting from the following venues:

3rd November,  St. Mary Magdalene’s Church

10th November, Bexhill Community Church,

                                    Hamilton Hall, Eastwood Road

17th November,  St. George’s United Reformed Church,

                                    Cantelupe Road

24th November,  St. Peter’s Community Centre, Old Town

1st December,   Beulah Baptist Church,

                                    Buckhurst Room, Buckhurst Road

 

More information from Peter Ewen (214780)

 

 

UPDATE August 2007

Representatives of the churches in Bexhill have been meeting

regularly on the third Thursday of each month to pray and discuss

how we can work together on practical projects to help meet the

needs of the community.

We have also started Prayer Walking on Saturdays 8.30-9.30am

starting at a different church venue each week with 15-20 minutes

of worship before we go out in 2‘s or 3‘s to pray/bless the area, the

homes & people around.

One of the practical projects that has come to the fore is that of

running a drop-in centre. This would be to provide facilities for the

younger element in the evenings but could also be for all ages

during the day. We are looking out for a suitable property in the

centre of the town and our prayer walking during August will be

concentrated in that area.

Other ideas include:

Having Street Pastors

Music Festival Weekend for all ages

Litter collections

Graffiti removal/ mural painting

Keeping some toilets open

Town pancake race

The actual projects we take on will depend on the gifting and talents

of our church members.

There will also be opportunities at certain times of the year to share

our Faith in an accessible and friendly way.

Peter Ewen has more details (tel: 214780) P.T.O.

PRAYER for HOPE08

PLEASE JOIN US FOR PRAYER

that God will guide us to make the right decisions.

Every third Thursday of the month 7.30pm

Meeting for prayer and planning for 2008. A different church venue

each month.

Every Monday: 2.30-3.30pm Prayer in the Ivens Room at St.

Peter's

Every Tuesday: 10.00-12.30 Prayer at the Coach House (come any

time)

Every Friday 24 hours of Prayer at Ashburnham Place with led

prayer from 1-2pm

Every Saturday: 8.30-9.30am Praise and Prayer Walking starting

from a different church or prayer centre in Bexhill each week. Short

time of worship then praying in 2's or 3's in that neighbourhood.

The venues for the next few weeks are:

August 4th St. Andrew’s Church, Wickham Avenue

11th Sackville Road Methodist Church

18th St. Andrew’s Church, Wickham Avenue

25th Sackville Road Methodist Church

September 1st St. John’s United Reformed Church

8th Sidley Baptist Church

15th The Coach House, Manor Gardens

22nd St. Mark’s Church, Little Common

29th Bexhill Community Church,

Hamilton Hall, Eastwood Road

Palm Sunday Procession 2008 (Sunday 16th March)

You will know from information sent to you about HOPE 08 and also from CTiB that the Palm Sunday Procession with Daisy the donkey will start this year a little later than previously and follow a slightly different route.  This is so that members of more churches can join in with us. 
 
It will start from St. Peter's Church at 12noon and go down Sea Road to St. Mary Magdalene's Church (about 12.15pm). It will then go along Station Road near to Beulah Baptist Church (nearing 12.30pm) and then on through Town Hall Square to turn down Sackville Road (passing by/near St. Andrew's Church and Sackville Road Methodist Church) and on to the sea front.
 
Please encourage your church members to join us at any appropriate point.
 
Many thanks and God's Blessings.
Yours in Christ,
Peter Ewen