To show and share God’s love in word and action – that is the purpose of Across Hemel 2012, a partnership of over 20 churches from around the town that will deliver a week’s worth of activities next summer linked to the Olympics.

In 2009, around 30 churches came together to run Across Hemel 2009. Approximately 8,000 people from the town attended some part of that event. The goal for the event in 2012 is for over half of the town to hear something of God’s good news, that’s 40,000 people!

Across Hemel 2012 will run from 21-28th July 2012 (The first week of the school holidays and the week leading up to the Olympic Games). Each Church has up to two representatives on the planning committee and together we are discussing, planning, sharing, praying and working towards an event that will glorify God and communicate his love to the people of Hemel Hempstead.

Details of events are still being worked on. However the plan is to have a central ‘Hub’ on Gadebridge Park throughout the week with additional events running alongside it and/or at other venues across our town. We will be planning to share God’s love as widely as possible with events aimed at youth, men, ladies, elderly, disabled, families and children – there really will be something for everyone.

The week long mission will start with a joint Church Service on Sunday 21st July where all churches are invited to join together on Gadebridge Park to worship together, to pray together and to be filled with God’s spirit as we embark on our mission – in 2009 there were over 1,000 people at the joint Church service.  What an incredible witness of unity to our town that was!

The Olympic Games will create a real sense of wanting to be together in our communities and so we have joined forces with Dacorum Borough Council to show the Opening Ceremony on a massive screen in Gadebridge Park on the Friday of our event (27th July).  We anticipate thousands will come together for this.

Linking with the theme of the Olympics our events will also include a Sports Quiz, a fun run, a children’s sports day and musical performances  just to name a few ...... at each event the Christian message will be shared.

Alongside the events of the park each church is being invited to plan a social action event in our location – we will need to think of ideas for how we can best serve our surrounding area so if you have any suggestions please do come and talk to us – could we have a tea dance for the elderly, could we tidy people’s gardens locally, perhaps we could litter pick around our local shops?

We will bring you more details about all these events as they are confirmed, but for now, may we invite you to book these dates in your diary, maybe even book the week off work so you can be fully involved, and to consider how you will use your gifts, strengths, abilities and passions to work with us to show and to share God’s love in Hemel Hempstead.

We are delighted to be your reps for Across Hemel 2012 and we look forward to seeing how God is going to use us all for his glory.

Justin Thacker & Angela Such

www.acrosshemel.co.uk