The Games are coming our way and only 388 days to go

For most of us London 2012 will be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to experience the world’s greatest sporting event on home soil here in the UK. - something we're not likely to forget. It’s been a year since I started the role as Diocese of Oxford Chaplain to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, initially for three days each week and then full time from September 2011, and so much has happened in that time. My first task was to meet Canon Duncan Green, the Church of England Chaplain and Faith Advisor to LOCOG. It was then important to meet others doing similar roles as well as other organisations and agencies getting ready for the Olympics and Paralympics. I soon realise that there was already quite a lot of work going on. In fact More than Gold a Christian organisation with experience of helping churches to engage with the Games was already years ahead. It was a pleasure to meet members of the team at More than Gold, their enthusiasm and insatiable appetite to share the good news of Jesus was a joy to behold. I was somewhat relieved that I wouldn’t have to work on this mammoth and challenging project on my own. The next task was to put together a committee who would support the role and assist with driving the project forward but first we needed someone with the right credentials willing to act as chairperson. I was delighted when Bishop Alan contacted me with the news that David Brodie, a Professor of Cardiovascular Health at the University of Buckingham and a member of St James’ Church Gerrards Cross had been invited to head up the committee. David and I met in August 2010 and soon realise that our passion for mission and a common interest in sport made us ideally suited to work together on a project of this nature. We set about planning our first committee meeting which took place in September 2010. An exciting meeting where Bishop Alan spoke to the group about the opportunity for the church to re-connect with our communities and the need to be intentional about mission. The challenges have been many but one of the most difficult came about when we had to change our logo ‘Challenge 2012’ when it was discovered that LOCOG forbids use of the numbers 2012 from any activity associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Going back to the drawing board however proved all was not lost and The Race

Before us’ our current logo proved to be a blessing.

For me the last 12 months has been a huge challenge but the joy and privilege of serving God in this way is even greater. The London 2012 Games will surely be an amazing event in all sorts of ways. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone in our communities including visitors across the UK had the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel message? We hope that as many churches as possible will run all sorts of activities to coincide with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The opening ceremony is a little short of 12 months to go and if we haven’t already done so we need to start planning in earnest now.

Current members of Challenge 2012 are:

Revd Charlotte Bannister - Parker -  The Bishop's Adviser for Overseas Programmes

Revd Dr Michael Beasley – Diocesan Director of Mission
Revd Janet Binns – Diocese of Oxford Olympic and Paralympic Games Chaplain.
Revd Andrew Blyth – Vicar St Mary’s Church Aylesbury
Prof David Brodie – (Chairman) Professor of Cardiovascular Health - University of Buckingham
Revd Simon Cansdale – Vicar Great Chesham
Steven Dass – Secretary
David Gambier – Diocesan Advisor travel and tourism
Canon Duncan Green – C of E Olympic and Paralympic Chaplain and Faith Advisor to LOCOG

Revd Lucy Holt – Vicar of Eton Eton Wick & Dorney
Sarah Meyrick – Diocesan Director of Communications
John Underwood – Head teacher Chalfont St Peter C of E Academy
Steve Ward – South East area Co-ordinator  ‘More than Gold’
Bishop Alan Wilson – Bishop of Buckingham

Please join with us in praying for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012, and watch out for news and information about ways in which you might get involved. For information simply log on to The Race Before Us or More than Gold websites and register as a gold champion for your church or to receive up to date information. Look out for year to go events.

Websites: www.racebeforeus.org.uk and www.morethangold.org.uk