CSM Welcomes HOPE2008
A cross-party group of MPs has tabled an Early Day Motion highlighting HOPE2008, a year-long initiative encouraging churches to get more involved in community service.
Running for the whole year, HOPE2008 is empowering and enabling churches across the UK to deepen their commitment to serve their neighbourhood. The project encourages churches to maximise their impact by working more closely with each other and with local politicians, police forces and community leaders.
The Early Day Motion, sponsored by MPs from the official Christian organizations in the main three parties at Westminster, recognizes the ‘valuable work’ churches already do in their local communities and urges them to sign up to HOPE2008. It welcomes the support given to HOPE2008 by local and national politicians, church leaders, police chiefs and other prominent figures, and asks churches to carry its spirit beyond the end of the year.
Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, main sponsor of the EDM and Chair of the Christian Socialist Movement, said: ‘We’ve seen a massive increase in the role of the voluntary sector in recent years, and local churches make a huge contribution to their communities by mobilizing volunteers, befriending people and providing services. HOPE2008 is an exciting and timely initiative to give a real boost to their work and help them to “raise their game” and make an even greater impact for good on people’s lives.’
The other MPs sponsoring the EDM are Andy Reed (Labour), David Burrowes and Gary Streeter (Conservative) and Steve Webb and Tim Farron (Lib Dem).
EDMs are often used to highlight national campaigns, and MPs sign up to them to show their support. Christians are encouraged to contact their MP and ask him or her to sign the EDM supporting HOPE2008.
Email your comments to info@thecsm.org.uk
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