The great year of opportunity is almost here. So here comes more of the information you need to make the most of it.

Do please forward this email on to all who you think could use the information and help it offers. They will thank you for it.

And do tell us what you are planning – so we can share and pray. Either email us at info@morethangold.org.uk or post something on our Facebook.

Thank you.

Peter Meadows
Communications Director

Could you host a competitor’s family member?

COULD YOU – OR SOMEONE you know - give hospitality to family members of a 2012 Games competitor? Without this kind of help, the high cost of accommodation will mean many not being able to attend and give their support.

More Than Gold’s Athlete Family Homestay Programme was launched last month with Stephanie Cook MBE (pictured), whose family used the programme when she competed in Sydney. Now we just need the right people to come forward.

Hosts provide bed and breakfast for at least eight days for up to two guests. In addition they will also give the practical help needed for their guests to make the most of their stay during the Games.

For all the details just click here.

The majority of hosts are needed in London and the closer to event venues the better. However, hosts will also be needed in Benfleet, Birmingham, Broxbourne, Cardiff, Dorney Lake, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Weymouth and Portland Harbour.

There is still time to pray in the New Year

WITH SUCH GREAT opportunities to reach out during 2012, churches are asked to welcome the year with prayer. And there are some great resources to help them – including service outlines and prayer topics.

The theme chosen is ‘Shine for the New Year’. With churches encouraged to do something during the week of Saturday 31 December to Sunday 8 January. This could be during the Sunday services, a watch night service, home groups or a special event.

To get the picture and a link to the prayer resources just click here.

The call to welcome 2012 in prayer is the first step in saturating in prayer all that will be done through outreach, hospitality and service during the year. This includes responses to the Games, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Euro 2012 football.

Songs of Praise to include More Than Gold

WHEN THE BBC’S Songs of Praise reviews the coming year on 8 January, look out for More Than Gold.

Along with covering the Queen’s Jubilee and the spectacle of the Olympics and Paralympics, there will also be a spot for what the churches are doing through More Than Gold.

Featured is Communications Director Peter Meadows and the launch of our Athlete Family Homestay Programme in Trafalgar Square.

Concerned about Human Trafficking?

ONE WAY TO RESPOND to the issues of Human Trafficking in the context of the Games is to pray. And our website now has two great recourses for individuals and churches.

• Gathering Voices is a 7-day prayer guide based on the prayers of women who have been directly affected by this issue

• Responsive prayers – has 3 prayers to use in public worship or in small groups

Our Social Justice team are also working on a range of ways churches can be aware of issues like this and make their response.

News in brief

Ready to use sport as a bridge? There’s now a free guide to help sporty and outreach minded individuals from different churches to form a team that can then put on events and activities. For details click here.

In range of the Olympic Park? There’s a Prayer Walk there on Saturday 7^th January. For details click here.

Games Pastors needed. At major passenger hubs, they will help the thousands of travellers, sightseers and spectators with practical and spiritual help. For information click here.

Churches invited to use Mission Teams. A wealth of talent and manpower is available to help churches in their programmes during the 2012 Games. For details click here.

Our Facebook explodes. 600 new people became Facebook friends last month and will now get the very latest news as it happens. To join them go to Facebook.

Prayer points

Please give thanks:

• For the interest already in our Athlete Family Homestay Programme

• For the great response to our campaign to increase our Facebook friends – adding 600 in the past month

Please pray for:

• The impact of our coverage in the BBC’s Songs of Praise on 8^th January – especially that it will wake up those who are sleeping through this great opportunity

• The recruitment of suitable Games Pastors to serve the thousands of visitors

• A growing commitment to prayer – especially as churches mark the start of 2012 by taking part in Shine for the New Year using the prayer resources

For the latest prayer points to use and share click here.