2012 Olympics
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not that far away. There will be all kinds of opportunities for churches to get involved. We can offer hospitality to visitors and during the training camps and big-screen events, celebrate our international links with churches and schools, do outreach through sports, community festivals, guest events, creative arts and mission teams.
Thirty per cent of the population is associated with sport and most parishes have sporting facilities within them. The Olympics is an opportunity to engage with them and have a presence in our clubs and venues.
More Than Gold is an ecumenical organisation helping churches engage with the 2012 Games. It aims to help thousands of churches taste the excitement of reaching local communities in fresh and ongoing ways in Jesus’ name - by making connections between the many agencies and thousands of churches that can make this level of mission happen, and by coordinating the production of the resources and action needed.
Ready-made sports quiz
If the idea of a sports quiz takes your fancy, you’ll be interested to know that Christians in Sport has developed a free 2012 Sports Quiz! A team of trained speakers will be available from March to host the quiz and deliver an evangelistic talk relevant to sportspeople. Visit www.christiansinsport.org.uk/quiz
Themes for talks or events
Think about the games themselves and the kinds of activity we will all be watching. Pick up on the bishop’s challenge to ‘Run the Race’ and what that might mean for each of our churches and for us as Christians.
Talk about fitness or practice, about the importance of team, about a good diet and watching our weight and the parallels in Christian living. Athletes talk about having a ‘positive mental attitude’, so could people take up a sport or exercise as an act of spiritual discipline (like fasting – doing something hard sharpens the mind and resolution)? This could be linked to a prayer or worship event and even a Lenten theme.
Olympic Games prayer
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen
Torch Relay Prayers
Loving God,
as this torch travels our nation,
preparing us to celebrate the skill and determination of
those competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games,
strengthen us to love you and serve our neighbour
with all the skill and determination you give us,
through Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
As this light travels our nation,
may your light, O God, shine in the hearts of all
who gather to celebrate the energy, skill and dedication of others.
Send your Holy Spirit
to light up our lives
and set our hearts on fire with love for you;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Resources
Click here for suggested readings, prayers and other resources for use in during the Olympic Games season.
Visit the CofE website for more information about how your church can get involved. There are resources, a video and podcasts.
