Flame of Hope - Chippenham & Corsham Deanery Mission - May 2013

Flame of Hope was billed as ‘a festival of events celebrating faith in Jesus Christ as a source of hope for the communities of Chippenham and Corsham’. This way of ‘packaging’ the programme enabled the churches to make some useful additional links to the community as well as putting on events where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be shared with individuals. There was good input in the schools (slightly lessened by the fact that primary schools had exams) and with local government. Here are some reflections on some of the main events:

• Bishops in mission. It was good to have Bishop Mike and Bishop Lee with us again. Mike spoke at a men’s breakfast – ‘From bouncer to bishop’ – and challenged men with the question: what kind of life are you building? On what foundation? Lee was involved in a panel about Christian Aid. Both preached on Sundays. Mike played a big part in the leaders’ consultations (see below).

leaders

• Community leaders. ‘Releasing the energy’ brought together Christian and secular leaders in consecutive meetings in Chippenham and Corsham. I heard councillors speak positively of the role of faith communities who are often more in touch with the neediest in society than the statutory authorities. Street Pastors, a night shelter and food bank in Chippenham have shown that the churches genuinely care about the wider community. Each meeting looked to build on this for the long-term. Lack of time meant it was hard to fully discuss the complex issues, often relating to poverty, but there was a sense that an important beginning had been made. This was not direct evangelism but … ‘walking the walk’ needs to accompany ‘talking the talk’; sometimes our mission focus can be too narrow, with the result that outsiders feel we have nothing to offer. Another event saw Steve Webb answer questions about the challenge of being a Christian and an MP.

• Roughshod Theatre. This branch of Riding Lights contributed powerfully at a number of events, did a lot of work in secondary schools, and gave two full evening performances of their i-witness production. Many gospel themes came across powerfully on the two evenings.

food

• Food. As ever, food played a major part in the mission and not just for the teams! Three BBQ events took St Peter’s into different areas of their parish (though, ironically, the really wet day forced the event back into church). People came, stayed around, played games and chatted. The inflatable church made a good focus and people were genuinely touched and surprised that the burgers and sausages were free. St Andrew’s coffee shop is a fantastic town centre presence but again was boosted by team members actively inviting people in to chat, do surveys, etc.

• Any Questions. I had a couple of excellent events – the first in a coffee bar, The Century, in Corsham and the second in a pub in Marshfield, The Crown. On both occasions we had a couple of hours on a number of issues and the time seemed to fly past. I was heartened to hear that one guest described me as ‘generous in debate’; it’s a good reminder that it’s as important to win the person as to look to win the argument.

Quotes

‘Lives have been touched, and people have been changed. Lots of people have had good conversations with you from which they have learned and grown. Eyes have been opened, fresh possibilities are being grasped. The buzz that you experienced at some of our events continues’.
Rev Simon Tatton-Brown, St Andrew Chippenham.

‘Thank you for your visit to Marshfield last Friday – it was really helpful to both committed Christians and to the few unsure folk who came’.
Rev Sally Wheeler, Marshfield Benefice

‘Thank you for being part of us for ‘Flame of Hope’; you were great!’ Ron Pool, coordinator at St Paul’s, to the team based there.
He also included a summary of the visiting: ‘Total visited – 2369, engaged in 533 conversations at the door (22.4%), 300 survey forms were completed, 174 KGP booklets were accepted, 36 potential call backs.’

'There was a great mixture of events sustained throughout the 11 days. Afterwards, one comment was of a lasting image being 'a dry sponge overflowing after immersion in water', for us the living water of the Holy Spirit. John Hibberd had demonstrated this image at Pentecost.

Revd Andy Gubbins' lasting impression as co-ordinator of 'Flame of Hope', was of 'testimony'. It came from locals, from TFM, from other guests, as well as in dramatised form by teenagers and The Riding Lights Roughshod Theatre Co. Such stories were about issues of health, community service, vulnerability, forgiveness and vocation and they all got people talking.

Prayers of commitment came through Roger's ministry in church and pub, while John brought alive the words of 'When I survey' for all who attended a Songs of Praise. During Flame of Hope, the space at Peter's was converted in various ways to provide a great welcome at occasions such as: an impromptu after school BBQ, a lunch-time launch, a reception for teachers and workshops to help infants understand 'The Church's Birthday'. The TFM team and locals proved to be just as open and flexible too.'
Andrew Gubbins St Peter's Chippenham

Brief comments from team members:

•   ‘There must have been over 100 people in the church’ (about the BBQ on the wet Tuesday that ended up inside St Peter’s church)
•   ‘The giant coffee shop was impressive’ (at St Andrew’s)
•   ‘Friday lunchtime … two God-incidence encounters’ (in Corsham)
•   ‘Six teenagers responded at the youth event with Roger’ (at St Paul’s)
•   ‘The Pentecost labyrinth in St Peter's reached around 150 children and staff. This is something St Peter's could offer again’
•   ‘For me it was a privilege to "let down the nets" and I'm happy to leave the results to God’ (Emma Whittick, speaking about an event for about 90 ladies at St Paul’s)