A Million Acts of Hope
This is a suggested parish magazine article to promote this new initiative, A Million Acts of Hope – do adapt as you wish.
In Christian Aid Week (13-16 May) community and faith groups, plus charities big and small, are being encouraged to come together to celebrate and inspire “A Million Acts of Hope” across Britain.
Our news overflows with fear. All around us we see the stark failure to find peace and justice. But every day, across our global neighbourhood, people step up and show up for each other. There is far more that connects us than divides us. Christian charities such as Christian Aid, CAFOD, Church Action on Poverty and Green Christian are urging churches to take hope-filled actions to tackle pessimism. They are asking us to share our stories and shine a light on the love lived out in our communities.
Hope is an action – this is about the things we do, not just talk. It’s the un-glamourous, everyday stuff happening locally. This is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those who live and act in hope and to do something hopeful ourselves. Why? Because hope always counts. From litter picking in parks to donating stuff to food banks, coaching the kids’ football teams to working together to make our streets safer – acts of hope and kindness happen all the time.
In addition to what is already happening, “A Million Acts of Hope” suggests we plan something special for the week: a group action such as hosting a nature walk or a litter pick. Celebrate the natural beauty of your area and encourage people to get outside. Create a bake sale. Encourage people to bring and share food. Run a thank you event to celebrate volunteers. Bring together local volunteers to celebrate their work and say thanks. Host a “Hope Happens Here” event. Run a street party or picnic in your local park centred on hope, fun and celebrating where you live.
Replace this paragraph below with news of your own church community:
In our parish we are hosting the Diocesan Environmental Day during that week on 16th May. Many people in our own church community carry out small acts of kindness like having a cup of tea and chat with a neighbour, or making an effort to talk with someone over coffee we might not have spoken to before. Others help with the Brownies and Beavers, or are part of the Highwoods working parties keeping that area of natural Bexhill woodland in good heart.
Can you share any ongoing acts of hope you know about? Or maybe plan to do something special for the week? Please let me know what hopeful acts you know are happening in our church community and I will share them on the Green Christian notice board. I will also send the list of hope-filled acts to “A Million Acts of Hope” to go on their website. To find out more go to https://millionactsofhope.org/
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