Summer 2012 - Olympic and Paralympic Games

Celebrating Summer 2012The Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Olympic &Paralympic Games27 July - 12 August / 29 August – 9 September

The Olympic Games is the world’s premier sporting event with an enormous glo-bal audience. It is anticipated that at least three-quarters of the British population will watch the Games on television, based on similar viewing figures for the Bei-jing Games of 2008 and the Athens Games of 2004. The Olympic Games may be a sporting event but it is one underpinned by the ethos of peace and unity. The Olympic Games arrives in the UK this year for the first time since 1948. It is highly unlikely the Games will visit these shores again in our collective lifetime.

The Paralympic Games follows the Olympic Games and provides a world-stage for elite international athletes with disabilities. The Paralympic Games provides and equal but different opportunity for your churches to engage with the Ol-ympic Movement. For example, a church could re-orientate its Olympic-themed activities in order to address wider social issues within the context of the Paralym-pic Games, exploring and celebrating the achievements of the Paralympians and others who live with disabilities. This Olympic Resources pack, part of Celebrating Summer 2012, is compiled to help your church to embrace the Olympic Games and all that it stands for.

Please check the Celebrating Summer 2012 section of the Diocese of Lincoln’s website for Olympic and Paralympic news and regular updates: www.lincoln.anglican.org/summer

Olympic Facts (From More Than Gold)

10,500 Olympic athletes • 6,000 coaches and officials • 26 Olympic sports 4,000 Paralympic athletes • 20 Paralympic sports • 20,000 press and media per-

sonnel • 200,000 workforce • 9 million tickets • 70,000 volunteers • 216 countries.

CELEBRATING SUMMER 2012 - THE OLYMPIC GAMES - PAGE 2

And here they are:

AfghanistanAlbaniaAndorraAntigua and BarbudaAngolaAlgeriaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBangladeshBarbadosBurundiBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia-HerzegovinaBahrainBotswanaBelarusBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBulgariaBurkina FasoCameroonCambodiaCanada

Cayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaTaiwanColombiaComorosCape VerdeCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCote-d´lvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorArab Rep. of EgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGermanyGhana

Great BritainGuinea-BissauGeorgiaGreeceGrenadaGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandItalyIsraelIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKyrgyzstanKenyaSouth KoreaNorth KoreaKuwaitLaosLatviaSaint LuciaLebanon

LesothoLibyaLichtensteinLuxembourgRep. of MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaRep. of MoldovaMarshall IslandsMaldivesMaltaMaliMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMonacoMontenegroMongoliaMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigerNorwayOmanPakistan

PalauPanamaPapua New GuineaPalestineParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRhodesiaRomaniaRwandaSaint LuciaSt. Vincent & Gr.Saint Kitts and NevisSamoaAmerican SamoaWestern SamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSenegalSloveniaSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSri LankaSlovakiaSwazilandSerbiaSingaporeSpain

SudanSurinamSyriaSwedenSwitzerlandTanzaniaTongaThailandTogoTrinidad & TobagoTajikistanTimor-LesteTurkmenistanTunisiaTurkeyTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesU.S.A.US Virgin IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe


BY

RIC

HA

RD

GILES [C

C-B

Y-SA-2.0 (W

WW

.CR

EATIVEC

OM

MO

NS.O

RG

/LICEN

SES/BY-SA

/2.0)], VIA

WIK

IMED

IA C

OM

MO

NS


Five Great Olympic Moments From ‘Games Changers’, by Andy Walton. Published in Christianity Magazine, August 2011.http://goo.gl/7RG9h

1. Eric Liddell’s 400mOne of the greatest Christian figures of the 20th Century also happens to be one of Scotland’s finest Olympians. Eric Liddel’s gold medal winning 400 metres run in the 1924 Games is one of the greatest performances in Olympic history, but his faith and devotion to the poor are just as inspirational.

2. Jesse Owens vs HitlerIn 1936, Nazi Germany hosted the Olympic Games, which Hitler saw as the perfect opportunity to prove his theory that the Aryan race was superior. No one had given Jess Owens the script. The black athlete from Alabama smashed the opposition to win four track and field gold medals. Hitler was said to be furious.

3. Derek Redmond’s heroic finishDerek Redmond’s career had been blighted by injury, yet he went to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona as a genuine British medal hope. In the semi-final of the 400 metres, disaster struck – Redmond’s hamstring tore. After writhing on the floor in pain, he got up and tried to finish, eventually helped by his Dad, Jim. The stadium erupted as he finally crossed the line.

4. Cathy Freeman takes gold for the AboriginesThe defining image of the 2000 Sydney Olympic was 400 metre runner Cathy Freeman picking up gold in her distinctive hooded running suit being only the second Aboriginal person to win gold, and doing it in Sydney as the world watched was a special moment for her and all Aborigines.

5. Usain Bolt’s record breaking sprintsLess emotive than the other great moments, Bolt makes the list thanks to his supreme performances at Beijing 2008. He obliterated the opposition to win gold in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and the 4x100 relay – setting new World records in all three. Bolt looks like the untouchable sprinter of his generation.

More Than Gold exists to help churches across the United Kingdom to engage with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Your church can appoint a Gold Champion, register with More Than Gold and:

• Take part in all More Than Gold programmes• Access to all More Than Gold communication resources• Use the More Than Gold logo on their publications and events• Access More Than Gold fundraising events to raise money for their church’s own Games-related activities

To register as a Gold Champion, please visit: www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/church-representatives.html

Or, if you prefer not to register a Gold Champion, simply take advantage of the fantastic resources, ideas and information More than Gold provides free of charge through its website: www.morethangold.org

More Than Gold also has many resources, including those specifically aimed at church children and young people, available for purchase from here: www.morethangold.org.uk/resources/web-shop.html


Mission Teams for your ChurchMore Than Gold is co-ordinating thousands of short term mission teams, who are travelling to the UK from around the world during the summer of 2012. They could work with your church.

Each Mission Team will have unique expertise and could help with:• Sport mission - including coaching, playing and demonstrating• Creative arts – music, drama and more• Holiday clubs• Working with youth• Getting stuck in and just helping

They will also be ready to take part in church services, bringing the perspective of their nation to your church.

If you would like to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity your church will need to provide:

• A well thought out programme that uses their time effectively – including some time off• A clear definition as to who they report to.• Ideally - but not essential - somewhere to sleep in private homes or a suitable church/school hall• Basic meals• A thoughtful and caring welcome

For more information about Mission Teams please visit: http://goo.gl/sU855And for an application to host a Mission Team please visit http://goo.gl/BGLhL

The Olympics and the ArtsThere are many ways to engage with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and sport is just one of them! Why not add a little variety to your church’s Olympic programme by hosting an arts event that explores what the Olympic Games is and what it means?A number of arts companies are embarking upon national tours, these include:

Saltmine Theatre Company tour In Their Shoes in collaboration with Ulfah Arts, a Muslim theatre company. The play promotes working together in spite of our differences. To watch a trailer go to http://vimeo.com/ For bookings contact Joanna Bell at [email protected] or on 01384 454807.


Lantern Arts Centre tour Dangerous Journey, the classic Bunyan play. With music by Paul Field. Please see: http://goo.gl/8dUwr

Riding Lights tour Monsieur de Coubertin’s Magnificent Opymlic© Feat! To download full details on a PDF: http://goo.gl/F0u7LContact [email protected] to discuss hosting a performance.

Act 4 have Star Citizen 2012, a games show for children. Details here: http://goo.gl/WLJVG

The Olympics, Peace and Social Justice

The Olympic Truce

Established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC, the Olympic Truce allowed participants safe passage to and from the Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), with the support of the United Nations through the resolution ‘Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal’, maintains the relevance of the Truce today. Through the ideal of the Truce it aims to:

• mobilise youth for the promotion of the Olympic ideals; • use sport to establish contacts between communities in conflict; and • offer humanitarian support in countries at war ; and more generally :• to create a window of opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation.

(taken from: http://goo.gl/0soZs)

The International Olympic Truce Centre was established in order to implement projects associated with the Truce. You can learn more and pledge your support for the Truce here: http://goo.gl/pgCWR

So what does the Olympic Truce mean for your church during the Olympic and Paralympic Games? Your church could use the Truce and the ethos of peace and reconciliation that underpins the Olympics to inspire work in the following areas, as identified by More Than Gold:

• Social awareness and social justice• The environment• Fair Trade• 100 Days of Peace

Please see the More Than Gold website (http://goo.gl/IYTYk) for more information and resources to help your church to respond to the issues that affect the most vulnerable people in our global society.

Olympic Activities For Your Church

Using the Activities section of this Olympics Resources Pack

This resources pack will help you to plan your Olympic events through the provision of ideas, information and further resources. You will find three categories of activity:

• 100m: 1hr – 2hr activities; some maybe even shorter!

• 800m: 1/2 day activities.

• Marathon: 1 day+ activities.

You will also find that each activity has been further categorised:

Faith-sharing and Worship: FS/WHospitality: HOutreach: OFun: F

So, if your church would like to host a half-day Olympic event that is both fun and will give you the opportunity to share your Christian Faith, you should look for activities that are categorised as follows:

(800: FS/W, F)

To help you to ensure your activities are equally accessible to disabled people, the More than Gold Paralympics team has produced this handy checklist: http://goo.gl/tfgLt

If you would really like to get involved in the planning of local Olympic events, you could sign up to be an official Olympic Local Leader: http://goo.gl/vr47OThis website also has more ideas, information and resources for planning Olympic events.

And don’t forget to let everyone know what’s going on at your church by filling in the Diocesan Deanery Diary: www.lincoln.anglican.org/events_form.php


Ready, Set , Go!

100 Metre Activities

1. Work No. 1197: All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes – 27 July

(100: F)

A country-wide commission by Turner Prize winning artist and composer Martin Creed, for the London 2012 Festival to be performed at 8am on 27 July 2012.

“On 27 July 2012 at 8am all the bells across the UK will be rung for 3 minutes to ring in the first day of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and welcome the 206 Olympic and Paralympic Nations to the UK.

“As bells across the UK are rung on this day they create a unique performance entitled ‘Work No 1197: All the bells in the country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes,’ which is part of the London 2012 Festival the finale of the Cultural Olympiad. You can be a part of this performance.”

(Press Release, 4 November 2011- The London 2012 Festival brand © 2007-2011 The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games

and Paralympic Games Limited.)

Work No. 1197: All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes © Martin Creed, exclusively represented by Novello & Co. Ltd, part of the Music Sales Group:

http://www.chesternovello.com

Many churches have bells. This national event requires that those bells are rung for 3 minutes

at 8am on 27 July 2012. It is an opportunity for churches to invite members of the local community to join together at the church to ring hand-bells in unison with the church bells.

Register your participation and get further information here: www.allthebells.com/home/

2. Sports Quiz Night

(100: FS/W, F)

Everyone loves a quiz, right? OK, so why not host a sports quiz to coincide with the Olympics? Christians in Sport have produced an ‘off the peg’ DVD you can use for your church sports quiz. It contains all the requisite sports quiz challenges, such as ‘Spot the Ball’ and ‘What Happened Next?’ And it even concludes with a faith-sharing talk. But if you’d rather Christians in Sport deliver the quiz in person, you can arrange for them to visit your church with all the equipment and questions in tow.

To register interest in getting the ‘off the peg’ quiz contact [email protected] or 01869 255 630, or to download an information sheet with ideas on how to host a sports quiz and details of how to book Christians in Sport click on: http://goo.gl/xemT7

3. ‘Night of Champions’ Multi-sports Tournament

(100: FS/W, F)

Another one from Christians in Sport: a multi-sports tournament with a short talk on the Christian faith aimed at young people.

“The young Christians in sport who invited their mates

were thrilled with the event and felt very relaxed with their friends there hearing the Gospel, many for the first time.”

Heather Lewis, Youth Worker, Highfields Church

ound good? Contact Christians in Sport for further information:

[email protected] or 01869 255 630.

4. Sports-themed Faith-breakfasts, Dinners and Lunches

(100: H, FS/W)

The Church of England is renowned for its hospitality. Good food, stimulating conversation and a warm welcome can be had by all at a church-organised Faith-dinner, lunch or breakfast in celebration of the Olympic Games. The meal could be organised in partnership with a local pub or restaurant; and why not arrange for an after-meal speaker, too; the vicar, perhaps?

5. Olympic Afternoon Tea

(100: H, F)

If a meal seems like too big an undertaking, why not scale it down and do tea, instead?

Olympic scone anyone?

6. Special Church Services

(100: FS/W)

Build links with your local community through a special Olympics and Paralympics-themed church service. The Church of England has produced a


liturgical resources pack to help you. It is available here:http://goo.gl/7NZPv

7. Prayer Events (100: FS/W)

Explore creative ways to pray during the Olympics. Use the Church of England’s Olympic Prayer:

Eternal God,Giver of joy and source of all strength, we pray for those who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,For the many thousands who will support them,For the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.In a world where many are rejected and abused, we pray for a spirit of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect and for the health and safety of all.May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and for ever.Amen.

The following websites may also be helpful:

Prayer Forum: www.prayerforum.org.ukWorld Prayer Centre: http://goo.gl/ZyMzfGlobal Day of Prayer: http://goo.gl/hS0l2 Prayer for Today: http://goo.gl/vMhxp

8. Songs of Praise

(100: FS/W)

The Church of England does hospitality very well; but it also does singing like no other! A special

Songs of Praise to celebrate the Olympics will bring your community together in the church building.

9. Community Olympics

(100: F, O)

Anything can carry an Olympics-theme, and it doesn’t have to be directly sports-related. Nor does it have to be anything other than straight forward FUN! How about a Community Olympics featuring some or all of the following:

Olympic BingoOlympic Tiddly Winks Olympic Beetle driveOlympic SNAP!Olympic ChessOlympic Snakes and LaddersOlympic DraughtsOlympic Shove Halfpenny

Do you see where we’re going with this?

Olympic CluedoOlympic Hop-scotchOlympic SkittlesOlympic Monopoly Olympic [insert whatever game you can think of here]Olympic [and here]Olympic [here too]

10. Sports Club Evening

(100: H, O)

Invite your local sports clubs into church for hospitality and support. Develop links that can be sustained beyond the Olympic Games.

11. Olympic Messy Church

(100: FS/W, F)

We’re all familiar with the concept of Messy Church; so how about creating an Olympic Mess?

See the Messy Church website for more details: www.messychurch.org.uk

12. Olympic Film Evening

(100: FS/W, F)

If your church has all the necessary licences (http://goo.gl/vvHGw) you can show films with an Olympic flavour before identifying and discussing themes that warrant theological reflection.

A list of ten films that capture the Olympic spirit can be found here: http://goo.gl/0PMZ8

800 Metre Activities

1. Arts workshop / Exhibition

(800: F, O)

Explore faith and sport through the arts with a community arts workshop for all ages. Exhibit your community’s work in church and let everyone see what talented people you have among you! Alternatively, you could purchase a ready-made exhibition in the form of a DVD featuring 24 faith-inspired artworks.

You can register your interest in purchasing the DVD with Revd Jonathan Evans, Secretary, commission4mission via [email protected] or 020 8599 2170.


2. Be part of the ‘100 days of peace’ programme

(800: O)

Peace was the underlying principle of the ancient Olympic Games: a ‘sacred truce’ allowed competitors to reach Olympia safely when travelling through hostile city-states in the Greek peninsula. In 1896, when Pierre de Coubertin established the Modern Olympic Games, peace was once again the central ideal. In 2012 a new 100 Days of Peace, part of More Than Gold’s Social Justice Programme, has been founded.

The new call for an Olympic Truce – a 100 days of peace – is about:

• Laying down weapons to build a culture of non-violence

• Upholding respect for human potential and achievement above bloodshed

• Implementing UN resolution A/RES/48/11 which urges member states to ‘abide by the Truce, individually and collectively, and to pursue . . . the peaceful settlement of all international conflicts’.

http://goo.gl/UWpF8

This is an important initiative. Here’s an idea to get you started:

Friendship Walk

Organise a church “Friendship Walk”. Have as its theme peace, respect and understanding for all the nations and competitors participating in the Games.

For more information and ideas of how to get involved go to: http://goo.gl/CGRYD

3. Bible Study

(800: FS/W)

The Olympics is an opportunity to engage with the Word of God. Organise your own, or use one that someone else has written!

The York Course’s Handing on the Torch - Sacred Words for a Secular World is available from:

http://www.yorkcourses.co.uk/

Keep On Track explores aspects of effective Christian living through six audio programmes based on sporting analogies from the Bible. More information and an order form are available from the More Than Gold Resources web page: http://goo.gl/jZL3v

4. Family Treasure Hunt

(800: F)

Link the Olympics to the Bible in clues that take families on a treasure hunt around the church, churchyard and village/town. What treasures will they find? Bibles? Chocolate? Footballs? Medals?

5. Community Sports Event with BBQ

(800: F, O, H)

A village/town sports event featuring all manner of running, jumping and throwing; you know, sport. If you have any open space available, such as a playing field, in your village/town, you could include the following events:

Run around a field a few timesThrow a ball as far as you canJump as far as you can


Run really fast from one point to anotherJump as high as you canKick a ball as far as you canAnd for traditionalists: throw a Wellington boot as far as you can!

Then everyone back to the church for some food and merriment. If a BBQ is not practical, sandwiches would be just as good. Ask everyone to contribute something and it shouldn’t cost too much money. 6. Olympic Church Mascot / Scarecrow Competition

(800: F)

Organise a competition to create an Olympic mascot or scarecrow for your church. Invite members of your community to make their entries in church; then exhibit them before selecting a winner.

7. Serve at Events Organised by Your Local Council

(800: O)

Many local councils will be organising special events to mark the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Could a group from your local church or Churches Together offer to serve at such an event? The Salvation Army have found that offering free drinks and litter-picking at events in previous Olympic host nations to be a very effective witness and are pioneering a Million Cups of Water campaign in 2012. Contact your local council for more information.

Marathon Activities

1. Sports version of The Alpha Course

(Marathon: FS/W, H)

Alpha is proposing to launch an Olympics version of their popular course. Keep checking the Alpha website for further details: https://shop.alpha.org/

2. Show the Olympic and Paralympic Games on a Big Screen in Church

(Marathon: H, F, O)

Get a big screen and projector for your church, buy a TV licence (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk). Remember: It’s valid for a year), show the opening ceremony on the screen and invite the whole community along to watch. And have something to eat together, too. Then enjoy watching the excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games unfold as a community. More than Gold has produced an excellent guide to hosting big screen events, available free from here:http://goo.gl/X75c5

3. Sponsored Sports Marathons

(Marathon: F, O)

Raise money for a good cause and get to know your community through sport. A marathon doesn’t have to be running: Tennis marathons, crazy golf marathons and skipping marathons all count, too! If there is a sports club in the area perhaps they could help you to organise it. Don’t forget to be clear about which charity/charities will benefit from your fundraising.


4. Sports Coaching Academy for Young People

(Marathon: F,O)

Let’s not mislead ourselves; this will take a lot of organisation. However, it’ll be worth it as, potentially, a sports coaching course can have a very positive impact on the lives of young people in your community. There may be sports coaches in your community who can help you with this. But remember: you’ll need to make sure you have your Safeguarding Policy in place and that any coach delivering the course has been subject to all the necessary checks. More Than Gold has devised a comprehensive guide to help churches develop sports outreach programmes to for their communities – request one from [email protected]

Additionally, over thirty Christian sports outreach organisations are available to help your church with sports-related work. For more information, please see www.uksportsministries.org

5. Holiday Clubs

(Marathon: FS/W, O, H, F)

Holiday clubs are a great way of connecting with the children of your community. The Scripture Union has produced the ‘On Your Marks’ pack, which is available here: http://goo.gl/z0Qrw

Youth for Christ is also taking the Good News of Jesus to young people in the UK and from all over the world. For more details, please see: http://goo.gl/cUfLs

The ‘Sports Academy Holiday Club’, devised by Barnabas in Churches, links some of the key


events in King David’s life to sport. Please see: http://goo.gl/l5uRZ

6. Adopt a Country

(Marathon: O)

216 countries will be taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games (see Olympic Facts). Why not pick one and celebrate that country’s culture, heritage and faith through activities, events and worship?

7. Sports Chaplaincy

(Marathon: O, FS/W)

Become a chaplain to one or more of your local sports clubs—you should probably ask them first!

Advice on chaplaincy can be found provided by SCORE at www.servingsport.co.uk or from Christians in Sport:www.christiansinsport.org.uk

8. Grow a wild flower meadow, just like the one in the Olympic Park

(Marathon: F)

If it’s good enough for the Olympic Park, it’s good enough for Lincolnshire. If you have any land that could be turned into a wild flower meadow, why not turn it into a wild flower meadow? Get the support of your local authority and seek the advice of the Environmental Chaplain Terry Miller ([email protected]).

9. Olympic Flower Festival

(Marathon: F)

There is nothing like a flower festival to add vibrancy, colour and life to a church. This year, organise an Olympic Flower Festival focusing on the colours of the Olympic Rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red.

Why not pick a country and celebrate that country’s culture, heritage and faith through activities, events,

and worship

Useful Links

You will find many links to useful websites throughout this pack. But here are the principal

links again:

Diocese of Lincoln – Celebrating Summer 2012www.lincoln.anglican.org

London 2012www.london2012.com

More Than Goldwww.morethangold.org.uk

Olympic Movementwww.olympic.org

Olympic Truce Centrewww.olympictruce.org

Contacts

Should you need a helping hand, or have any questions, please get in touch!

Simon Dean, CTAL Ecumenical Facilitator & Diocesan Fresh Expressions Enabler

Telephone: 01522 504071Email: [email protected]

Ben Stoker, Lincolnshire Open Churches OfficerTelephone: 01522 504025

Email: [email protected]


Summer 2012 - Olympic and Paralympic Games

Documents

Transcript of Summer 2012 - Olympic and Paralympic Games