Olympic Spirit?Our Church Related Community Worker Ann Honey, based at Robert Stewart Memorial Church, Fenham volunteered to be part of a United Reformed Church day of preparation for the 2012 Olympics.....
There are times when I wish I had been in this job long enough to be able to say “no”. Over the last few weeks, when I have told people that I was going to a meeting as the northern synod “Olympic Rep” I have been met with guffaws – “why on earth would they send you?” – well, probably because most people had more sense than to volunteer and kept their arms resolutely by their sides!
So it was that I came to be sitting in a “luxury coach” on a Saturday morning being shown the building site that is to become the spanking new Olympic village. Our tour guide Dave was very informative, he knew all the statistics and appeared to be very enthusiastic; he kept saying “when we have finished it will be….” as if he had somehow wielded a hammer and nails himself.
It’s a massive undertaking – I hadn’t even realised that catering and toilet facilities for the builders would have to be thought about first as there are so many of them. A couple of portaloos and a “greasy spoon “van just wouldn’t suffice!
Perhaps I should have been more impressed?
Our next port of call, though, was much more interesting to me. The URC at Bromley by Bow have been instrumental in building a temporary structure on the site known as the “View Tube”. It’s a very nice lime green building made from recycled shipping containers and serves as somewhere local people can go and see what is happening without the security checks (passport and debit card) and waiting list (weeks long) involved in taking a guided bus tour. Its meant to be a more appropriate and accessible place local people will be happy to visit – it is, after all, being built on their doorstep – and many of them don’t want it!
The view tube is one of a number of initiatives to “win over” local communities – there are educational opportunities for local schools, art competitions, exhibitions, a cycleway and a café.
If I’m honest, by the time we had reached the view tube, I was in desperate need of a coffee and sick of looking at scaffolding. We had a very nice lunch and settled down to listen to an afternoon of speakers.
The focus of the day was how as church we can get involved in what will be a huge event in 2012. Already much has been done by faith groups working with the organising committee (LOGOC - London Organising Committee) and it is felt that, as churches, perhaps we can latch on to the enthusiasm generated by the Olympics to reach out to our communities. Certainly there are those who are excited by the thought of the Games being held in England, and the organisers are hoping many will be inspired enough to get involved as volunteers. If this is your fancy the website to register your interest is here. There are a couple of events being held in the North East, but possibly the rest of the games will feel a bit remote.
Speakers from an organisation called “More than Gold” enlightened us further on how we might use the games as an outreach opportunity – they have been helping churches “seize the moment” for over 40 years and firmly believe that sporting spirit and the spirit of the church have a great deal in common.
Listening to Reverend Ashley Evans, minister of the URC at Newham gave me further points to ponder, for instance, could we show events on the big screen in church and offer people big screen sport without beer (for those who’d rather not!)? Could we get on board with the enthusiasm of young people by organising sports events? Could we make new friends in new ways? It’s all worth thinking about! Ashley’s church is offering accommodation to the families of paralympians and much more (though admittedly, they ARE right on the doorstep!)
I have to be honest here, and say that sport has never really been my “bag” – I did the Great North Run, mainly to persuade myself I wasn’t getting old – and I’ve watched the gymnastics and athletics events (who could fail to enjoy watching Usain Bolt?), but mostly sport passes me by. I never pay for the sports option on my BT tellybox. So – I’m wondering whether I’d rather run something in our church for those who, like me, would rather do something else? Perhaps instead of putting sports events on our big screen we could play Casablanca and have afternoon tea?
However you look at it, the Olympics is coming – and it’s going to be BIG! So, if you feel you would like to get involved in some way, take a look at the links in this article and persuade some others to join you in making the most of the Olympic Spirit!!!
Oh, and if anyone would like to join me in being a contact for the URC Olympic Group – let me know!
Ann Honey
September 2010
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