There are two major national events happening in 2012 and each and every church could get involved: large or small, town or rural. All the headlines will be about London but each community can be led by its local church, if it wants to take part.

These events provide wonderful opportunities for local churches to get involved in their communities, and show what welcoming and friendly places churches are. It’s a chance to welcome more people to coming to your church and grow the influence of the church in the community.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated over a long Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 5th June. Sunday will be an opportunity to include special prayers for the Queen but also to hold a BIG LUNCH after the service to include the church family or the wider community. See www.thebiglunch.com. Organisers are also hoping for 2012 beacons to be lit on Monday 4th June see www.churchbeacons.org.uk.
Olympics and Paralympics. During June and July, the Olympic flame will pass through many communities and there are opportunities for churches to open up with hospitality as the flame passes through; see www.london2012.com.

On the day the Games begin, at 8am on Friday 27th July, all the churches in the UK are being encouraged to ring their bells for 3 minutes as part of a unique Martin Creed composition – see www.allthebells.com Find out more about the Cultural Olympics at www.morethangold.com.

Roy Thompson, Vice-President