Good News is a hit with readers

Good News for Norwich is a hit with its readers according to a survey conducted in the Harvest ‘99 issue.
All those who responded to our questionnaire said that they read either all or most of the Good News and 92% said that they preferred it in its current tabloid newspaper format to any other style.
Local church news is the most popular topic in the paper among readers followed by national church news, longer feature articles and testimonies. Competitions and diary dates are also well read.
Good News is currently published three times a year and 42% of respondents said they would like to see it

quarterly with three-quarters saying that they would pay a nominal sum to see the paper on a more regular basis.
Currently 8000 copies of the paper are distributed free to the vast majority of churches in greater Norwich every Easter and Harvest. And each Christmas over 80,000 copies are printed and distributed to every home in greater Norwich and beyond for free, all paid for by our advertising support.
Thank you to all who responded to the survey and we will be taking many of your ideas on board as we develop the newspaper into the new Millennium.

Christians take to city streets

Phillip Thorne at the March for Jesus in Norwich 1992..

More than 2000 people are set to take to the streets of Norwich on Saturday June 10 as Christians all over the world take part in a massive global celebration.
March for Jesus will bring together church-goers from around Norwich and Norfolk in a colourful, lively show of faith.
Four separate processions will converge on Chapelfield Gardens at the start of a busy two days of worship, music, prayer and fun in the sunshine.
Philip Thorne, pastor of City Church in Norwich and one of the organisers of the event, said this year’s March for Jesus promises to be the biggest and best ever.
“We are expecting more than 2000 people to take part and they will be representative of every denomination of Christian church in the area,” he said.
“The march will declare that churches are alive and well and involve people of all ages moving out from their church buildings in active testimony and celebration of 2000 years of Christianity.”
In an exciting echo of the Millennium celebrations, Christians across the world’s time zones will be holding a March for Jesus in their own countries as the day goes on.
The banner-waving joyful processions have been around for 12 years but the 2000 event will be something special.
“It is particularly important in this year 2000 that Christians come together across the globe in celebration and clear display of unity,” said Philip.

“This is very much the case in Norwich where churches relating to Churches Together in Greater Norwich and the churches identifying with Together for Jesus have joined forces for the first time to organise this event, and all at the beginning of an opportunity-full new era.”
Marchers will set off from four points in the city - St Luke’s C of E on Aylsham Road, Norwich City Football Club’s car park, Town Close Preparatory School in Newmarket Road and Wensum Middle School in Waterworks Road, all at 11am.
Music to accompany the march will be played by a special radio station, set to broadcast to the city from Thursday June 8 until Sunday June 11.

The marchers will arrive in Chapelfield Gardens after midday, just before a two-hour celebration gets under way in the open-air. Speakers will include Stuart Bell, of New Life Christian Fellowship in Lincoln and Ground Level, and nationally known Methodist minister Rob Frost.
Live bands and link-ups with the radio station will keep the crowds entertained while the Matthew Project’s Tackle Express, the Proclaimers’ Bendi-Bus and the Norwich Youth for Christ bus will also be on hand, along with a number of Christian organisations hosting stalls and displays.
The evening session kicks off at 6.30pm with Norwich Youth for Christ’s youth prayer event.
Sunday’s programme includes Pentecost Praise at 2pm and the Together for Jesus prayer event at 6.30pm.

Factfile

March for Jesus 2000 will take place in up to 200 countries around the world.
Churches taking part in the Norwich event should register with Philip Thorne, pastor of City Church in Norwich, on 01603 632904.
Preparations for March for Jesus include a worship event where many of the newer songs used over the weekend will be taught in an atmosphere of worship, to be held at Mount Zion Family life Centre, Heartsease Lane on May 12. Details from Mark Watson on 01603 614755.
Marchers should assemble between 10.30am and 10.45am at one of the following four points around the city for a special prayer time up to 11am.
1 At St Luke’s C of E on Aylsham Road (car park is around the back). Marchers will pray together for the region’s churches.
2 At Norwich City Football Club car park. Marchers will pray together for the football club.
3 Town Close Preparatory School in Newmarket Road, co-ordinated by Norwich Christian Fellowship. Marchers will pray together for schools.
4 Wensum Middle School in Waterworks Road, co-ordinated by Dereham Road Baptist Church. Marchers will pray together for city businesses.
For anyone unable to take part in the walk, the Salvation Army will be playing music from 11am to 12.15pm in Chapelfield Gardens ahead of the marchers’ arrival.
From 12.25pm, there will be a two-hour celebration including music, dance and live creative worship. Details from Philip Thorne (01603) 632904.
From 2.45pm, live bands will perform and there will also be link-ups with radio presenters. Details from Andy Hopley (01603) 891749.
At 6.30pm Norwich Youth for Christ host a Youth Prayer event. Details from Paul Cracknell (01603) 620678.
On Sunday at 2pm, Pentecost Praise will include six 20-minute slots of different styles of worship. A children’s evangelist will present a five-minute feature in each act of worship. In the event of rain it will be moved to St John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Details from Hereward Cooke (01603) 624827.
At 6.30pm the Together for Jesus city prayer event for churches to pray together for the welfare of the city will take place in the open-air. Details from Philip Thorne (01603) 632904.

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