Statistics released by the Church of England show an increase in the number of young people attending weekly church services in addition to a rise in adult and child baptisms. The number of people attending Christmas services also rose by 14.5 per cent between 2010 and 2011, reaching a total of over 2.6 million. A growth in church attendance was recorded in a total of 20 of the Church of England's 40 regional areas, while nationally there was a 1.2 per cent increase in children and young people attending to 216,928. The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham James, said: “The attendance figures are heartening, especially the very strong growth in Christmas day attendance. “The encouraging news of further growth to come even on these high figures is very welcome and points to a growing trend. “Also welcome is the stabilising of the numbers of those who attend church services on a weekly basis.

Pray: for this trend to continue and that the Gospel will reach out to an increasing audience. (Heb.10:25)

More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/latest-cofe-figures-heartening-says-bishop

An awful lot of planning has taken place for the security of the Olympic Games. The planning started before we won the bid in 2005 and it has carried on. Last week a mock July-7-style terror attack took place in London, to test responses to attack during Games. Behind the scenes the Government Police and the Church are working together with full programmes of
planning, training and extra recruitment. For insights into how to pray during the months leading up to the Olympic Games go to the ‘More’ link below. For further insights into the pagan roots of the Olympics go to: Click Here

Pray:for Olympic prayer rooms and prayer events to grow in power and number in the coming months.(2Ch.7:13-15)

Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=51&Itemid=93

Fusion is bringing people from 15 countries to take part in a Pilgrimage of Hope during the Olympic Games. From 22 July, 75 people from South America, Africa, Europe, China and Australia will be helping communities in the UK to enjoy the Games. After three days of training in community transformation, the pilgrims will head off in teams of 10 to work alongside local Christians in running community events, such as youth cafes, kids clubs and festivals. The outreach draws its inspiration from the legacy of small groups of Christians that many years ago made a huge impact, such as the Clapham Sect, which included William Wilberforce and campaigned successfully for an end to the slave trade. After eight days of mission, pilgrims will travel to Iona and Lindisfarne to retrace the steps of some of the heroes of the Christian faith. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fusion.focuses.on.communitybuilding.during.olympics/30239.htm For a handy resource to aid churches, homegroups and houses of prayer to intercede for the Olympics use the INSIGHT article (pdf download).

Pray: for all those participating in these events that they will bring community transformation. (Gen.28:3)

Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=393&Itemid=93

Murderball, which followed the United States wheelchair rugby team during their 2004 Paralympic campaign, gathered a string of glowing critical reviews from the movie critics. The film centres on the USA and Canadian teams, following their fierce rivalry from the 2002 World Championships to Athens two years later. It gives an insight into the ferocity of the sport in which wheelchairs often collide at high speed. The Academy Awards Committee nominated the film for its prize as the best documentary of 2006. Empire Magazine said it ‘strips away the layers of delicacy with which the able-bodied treat the disabled’ to reveal ‘the spirit and joie de vivre of those to whom disability is their making, not breaking. When Murderball came out, everyone in a wheelchair saw the movie and wanted to play the sport, but you have to have limitations in all four limbs. Murderball really changed how people thought about people in wheelchairs. People now look at those in wheelchairs and see them for what they can do rather than what they can't do'.

Pray: that the abilities that wheelchair users will have may not be restricted by the perceptions of those more able. (Dt.8:18b)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19484847

A delegation of more than 40 church leaders from 12 of the nations where major sports events will be taking place over the next few years met this week in London to learn from the valuable lessons learned by More Than Gold over the past three years. It included a dozen from Brazil who are getting ready for the World Cup in two years time and the Olympics two years
later. The week-long in-depth briefing included representatives of churches, missions and Christian sports organizations from Brazil, Scotland, Canada, USA, Korea and Russia. The representatives visited churches in action and were briefed on areas ranging from running community festivals, sports outreach, mission teams, social action and prayer to finance, operations and communications. The Brazilians have already been in the UK for some months receiving hands-on experience in running community festivals. Carla Mendes, one of the More Than Gold Brazil team, said ‘We breathe sport in Brazil. It’s in our DNA. So we are already starting to train people how to use sport to engage with their community and are encouraging more than 10,000 churches to work together for 2014.’

Pray: for increased international Christian contributions into sporting events to grow from seeds sown by More Than Gold and other Christian agencies. (1Cor.3:6)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12080089.htm

Four Paralympic flames have been kindled at the top of the highest peaks of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland ahead of next week's Games. They were created on Northern Ireland's Slieve Donard, Snowdon in Wales, Scotland's Ben Nevis and on Scafell Pike in England's Lake District. Four teams scaled the highest peaks of the home countries to spark the flames which will come together at Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday. The Games start the following day. The flames are being carried down in lanterns ahead of celebrations in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast over the Bank Holiday weekend. A 24-hour relay will leave Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Games, to arrive in Stratford in time for the opening ceremony in London.

Pray: that the flames will once more unite the nations.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19333610

Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, is to host the world's first Paralympic opening night community festival. According to a news release, the event will feature adults and children of different abilities having fun together. The free event, from 6pm to 10 pm on Aug. 29 marks the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Between three to five thousand people will experience huge inflatable games, opportunities to try Paralympic sports, a multi-sensory zone, art and craft activities, puppets and giant bubbles. The news release said the opening ceremony will be shown on a big screen, accompanied by a free barbeque. The organizers are the Aylesbury Churches Network, comprising 14 churches of different denominations. The group is also underwriting the costs and providing at least 200 volunteers on the night. The Aylesbury churches are working with More Than Gold, the agency helping churches use the Games to serve its communities and visitors.

Pray: that the festival will bring a wonderful spirit of unity with those of different abilities sharing together. (Php.2:1-2)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12080166.htm

Four years ago Ellie Simmonds burst into public consciousness amidst an eruption of tears which followed her historic 100m freestyle victory in Beijing. Great Britain's youngest-ever Paralympic champion at 13 went on to claim another gold in the 400m six days later and the teenager returned to the UK as the new superstar of her sport. Simmonds though is not someone who craves the limelight and she admits that her journey from China to London has not been an easy one. ‘I loved every moment of Beijing and when it finished I was on such a low,’ Simmonds told BBC Sport. It has also taken the swimmer time to adjust to her near celebrity status and frequently being stopped in the street by members of the public requesting photographs. ‘Sometimes you think 'can you just leave me alone' and I can become a bit agitated, but you just have to roll with it.’

Pray: for all athletes that they would be an inspiration to other participants and to those who will watch. (2Cor.3:13)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19361665

Jon Burns, UK director of More Than Gold said other nations have picked up ‘real gems’ from their London experience. Countless churches have used the Games as opportunities to serve communities. One church in the East End hosted a holiday club that’s been packed with Muslim children, and parents were saying they want their children to ‘hear this stuff.’ Mr Burns commended cross-denominational groups for working together and gave the examples of five churches in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire who attracted crowds of 6,500 to watch the opening night on big screens. Volunteers operated on a ‘traffic light’ system - working in a LOCOG or ‘red area’, they simply served the community - working in a church area ‘green area’ they talked openly about their faith.

Pray: that the Christian legacy of unity will continue long after the Olympic and Paralympics finish. Pray also for even more success as churches build up towards the Paralympics big screen and holiday club events. (Jn.17:20)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.see.incredible.results.in.outreach/30463.htm

Weymouth’s Bayside Festival for the Olympics has gone into liquidation. But churches from the area are helping shocked stallholders and security staff. Festival organisers closed their gates on Friday, blaming poor attendance. The Rev Anni Douglas, co-ordinator of Weymouth and Portland churches Refresh 2012 said, ‘We sent our volunteers round the site to see how people were feeling, listening to them and providing refreshments. They really appreciated it and we had a good response,’ she added. Refresh 2012, set up by the local churches to provide activities, youth events and exhibitions at the Olympic sailing site, were also hit by the closure. Refresh 2012 had offered to meet with the festival organisers Mainsail Ltd and the borough council on Friday to try to rescue the event. But their offer to mobilise an army of 300 local church volunteers to run the site and keep it going fell on deaf ears.

Pray: that the Christians in Weymouth will still be able to serve the community with offers of God’s love. (1Pet.4:10)

More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16898