| Good News for Norwich | Harvest 2004 |
| By John Breeze
Norwich Christians are being called to pray for the city at a huge event being held at Norwich Aqua Park on Saturday September 25.
Prayer in the Park, at the Norwich Sports Village, aims to gather up to 2000 Christians from around the city and county to fast and pray for God's blessing on Norwich. |
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Many local churches have backed the call as well as Christian organisations including Good News for Norwich, Hebron Trust, Magdalene Group, Matthew Project, YMCA, Friends Ministry, FGBFI, Aglow International, Pregnancy Crisis Centre, Salvation Army and the SOS Bus. "I see it as a significant, even a historical event for Norwich," said the Mount Zion Family Life Centre's Trevor Pimlott, one of the organising team, which also includes David Adams (Baptist), John Betts (New Hope), Dianna Cooke (NECT), Martin and Maureen Down (Living Water), Nigel Fox (Methodist), Madeline Light (First Friday Prayer), Philip Thorne (City Church) and John Hindmarsh (Living Word International). "We had an inter-church meeting at the Family Life Centre in Norwich way back in May with David Davis of the Carmel Centre in Israel, a church of both Israelis and Palestinians," said Trevor. "David challenged us to do something about praying for Norwich. He had a great burden for the city and its surroundings. He said that we should call for a time of fasting and prayer according to Joel chapter two - which is about blowing the trumpet and bringing the whole family together. We should get together to call upon God for His mercy and favour on Norwich. "David said that the event should be held in a park or other such venue so that it could not be associated with any particular church or denomination," said Trevor. |
"It was very powerful. At the end of the service several church leaders came to me - it was really incredible - and said that we must do something about this!" In response to this a group representing the wide spectrum of churches and church groups in Norwich and Norfolk got together to do just that and Prayer in the Park was born. "We considered several venues," said Trevor, "and eventually decided to use the 2000-seat Wherry Hall at the Aqua Park in Norwich's Sports Village on Boundary Road." The evening, from 7-10pm, will be based on Joel chapter 2 with a trumpet call, sung worship and a time of preparation for what God will do through His people and how they are to respond. There will be times of prayer for pastors, ministers and other church leaders, for families, mothers, babies, children and other young people. "We are encouraging everyone where possible to fast, whether it be all day or for just one meal in order to show our obedience to the Lord for this time," said Trevor. "We expect this to be the first of a series of twice-yearly events - the next being in May 2005." John Betts, chairman of CTiGN, said: "This event has caught the imagination of so many people in the city. It is the first time anything so ambitious has been planned and I feel that the season is right for it." Posters, the story of Prayer in the Park and a promotional video are available from the Family Life Centre on 01603 462200. |
| By Keith Morris
John Betts, the new chairman of Churches Together in Greater Norwich (CTiGN), has called on city churches to work together and co-ordinate their actions to show the power of God's love to those who live and work in and around greater Norwich. John, leader of the New Hope Christian Centre in Lakenham, was elected chairman on July 5, replacing Rev Andrew Tyler, vicar of St Mary Magdalene in Silver Road, who retired after four years in post. John aims to take churches further in their rapidly growing work together in the urban area of Greater Norwich. His first plan is for a "Big Thank You" to Christian volunteers, at 7pm on Friday October 1 at St Andrew's Hall. "The City Council and Churches Dialogue revealed how much Christians contribute to the needs of Norwich as a whole and it is time we said thank you to Christian volunteers in Norwich," said John. Over 400 volunteers have been invited along with the Lord Mayor, both Bishops and the City Council chief executive Ann Seex. Videos, exhibitions and debate will all feature during the evening. |
John Betts, the new chairman of CTiGN, outside New Hope Christian Centre in Lakenham |
| On Saturday, October 2, from 9.30am to noon, volunteers are invited to specialist workshops at Mount Zion Family Life Centre, to pool ideas and share best practice to even greater effect. CTiGN is an umbrella for the more local ecumenical groupings, such as Norwich Central Churches Together and the Heartsease Forum. In four years, membership of CTiGN has risen from 32 to 46 churches and groups of churches, representing more than half of some 100 Christian congregations across Greater Norwich. CTiGN has adopted a strategy which encourages congregations to come together for worship, service and evangelism. More localised co-operation between churches is encouraged where there is none. CTiGN is also a focal point for all churches in Greater Norwich, in matters which cross denominational boundaries. John said: "My passion is the Church in Norwich, and my aim is to build on the work so effectively done by Andrew Tyler. "I would like to identify common goals so that together we can build a network to inspire and enable Christians in Greater Norwich. |
"We are all united in our love for God, and our desire to love our neighbour. That is our common mission. So, how can we empower each other to be more effective in our various and different ministries? And how can we listen to each other more effectively and so understand the strength that lies in the diversity which exists among us? "I would love to see us committed to working together to achieve that which we could not achieve on our own. By co-ordinating our action we will be able to show the power of God's love to those who live and work in and around Greater Norwich. "I want to re-energise the city churches with CtiGN and really make it go places," said John, who will be organising a summit of local senior church leaders to help set an agenda. Contact John on 01603 861181, or e-mail 2john@johnbetts.fsnet.co.uk Keith Morris |
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