2012 is a year of celebrations in England. The Olympic Torch Relay, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, the XXX Olympiad and the Paralympics will provide opportunities over the four-month period of May to September for people to gather and celebrate together in ways which will both enhance and deepen community life.
As the Presidents of Churches Together in England, on behalf of all its members, we rejoice that so many of England’s churches are committed to being at the heart of these celebrations and are already preparing practical ways to build and support communities in their localities. In the build up to the Olympics and Paralympics, the work we are doing through our own denominational staff, and through the work of More Than Gold (UK) is unprecedented. More Christian communities from different traditions than ever before are coming together to plan practical ways of serving the project of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which can bring many and diverse benefits.
The end of this week of prayer for unity amongst Christians (18-25 January) also marks six months until the 2012 Games officially begin. At this significant moment we reaffirm our commitment made ten years ago in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen to work towards the visible unity of all Christians in the one faith, expressed in common discipleship, worship, witness and service.
Mt Rev Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
Rev Michael Heaney
Moderator, the Free Churches Group
Mt Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
Rt Rev Jana Jeruma-Grindberga
Bishop, Lutheran Church in Great Britain.
