|
Initiative enables Church of England churches to rediscover community role
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2003-030-7
Posted: Thursday, February 13, 2003
|
A major initiative to arm parish churches with a fresh vision and to enhance their position at the heart of their communities was announced on February 10.
Restoring Hope, which has the support of both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York, encourages congregations to take a fresh look at their primary calling, namely 'To love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.'
Archbishop of York David Hope, describing Restoring Hope in terms of serving the local community, said, 'The project is not just about restoring hope in our churches, but restoring hope in our communities, helping people to recognize something of the image and likeness of the eternal God in them.'
Under the Restoring Hope initiative, every Church of England benefice is to be sent a free resource pack this Easter. Packs include a 40-minute video presented by Tom Wright, the distinguished theologian and canon of Westminster Abbey, recently appointed Bishop of Durham. The video will feature comments from senior Anglican leaders, including both archbishops, Dr. Christina Baxter, and Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali of Rochester.
Addressing a range of subjects, it will lay out a vision for the church in the 21st century, as well as giving an honest assessment of the challenges facing churches today and a call to reflect prayerfully on the spiritual characteristics of the early church.
A set of booklets accompanies the video, including the two successful Springboard workbooks: Growing Healthy Churches and Discerning Church Vocation. These aim to take churches through a process of evaluation, encouragement and assessment, enabling each congregation to discern together their own vision for the future. The third booklet will point churches toward a range of additional resources where they can find further inspiration and practical help.
Support for this initiative has come from across the Anglican community, including sponsorship from a number of major Anglican mission agencies, such as Springboard, the Church Army, the Church Mission Society, the Church Pastoral Aid Society, the Mothers' Union and the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
|
|
|
|
| © 2004, The Episcopal Church, USA. Episcopal News Service content may be reprinted without permission as long as credit is given to ENS. |
|
|
|
