Training days across the UK are on their way, to equip churches in advance of the coming 2012 Games. In 16 cities and towns, under the title ‘Get Set’, they offer churches a choice of 11 practical workshops.

‘Churches should send their key people involved with children, youth, community engagement and outreach,’ says Jon Burns, UK Director of More Than Gold. ‘They will gain practical insights from past Games and skills to use for years to come’.

The ‘Get Set’ days run on Saturdays, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, from February through to April. The cost is £10 per person, with advance registration encouraged to secure the required choice of workshop.

The programme includes full day sessions on Running a Community Festival, Using Sport to Impact Every Age-group and Being a Games Pastor.

The elective choices cover Reaching Children and Youth, the Torch Relay and your Community, Prayer, Using International Mission Teams, Mission through the Paralympics and Games-related Social Justice.

There is also a session for those new to the idea of using the 2012 Games to engage with their community.

The dates and locations for the Get Set tour are February: 4th Crawley, 25th Reading, 25th Cardiff, March: 3rd Stoke ,3rd Bath,10th Wolverhampton, 10th Central London, 17th Greenwich, 17th Gateshead, 24th Barnsley, 24th Weymouth, 31st Bolton, 31st East London, April: 21st Glasgow, 21st Stevenage, 28th Belfast, 28th Nottingham.

Details and registration are at morethangold.org.uk/getset

Jon Burns adds, ‘Thousands of churches are already making plans to reach out during the 2012 Games. These ‘Get Set’ days give them the help needed to be at their very best. Every church, large of small, will benefit’.