Love Running sets out to help ordinary people get fit, get friends and change the world by raising money for three distinct areas - the poor, the oppressed and the needy.
A third of the money we raise will once again go to our long term partnership project in Zimbabwe. Since Love Running was launched we've supported a World Vision area development programme in one of the poorest parts of Zimbabwe. It's now the biggest programme of its kind in the country and we are the sole supporters.
The second third of the money is going to provide clean water and sanitation to a community of 6,000 people in rural Uganda. Currently young girls are forced to walk for 3-4 hours a day to collect water, leaving them vulnerable to injury, rape, disease and a disrupted education. We believe it is unjust that 900 million people worlwide have no access to clean water, with the result that 5,000 children die each day. We want to do something about it.
I'm not sure how many of you would have seen the documentary this week on BBC2 on Monday called "Protecting our children" This week it featured Annie Sempill who belongs to our church. She is a social worker in Bristol caring for some immensely troubled people. (If you missed the episode click here to view it on line)
As I watched the programme I was reminded once again that many people within our church are encountering situations within their workplace where they have the opportunity to bring the light, love and hope of God. We are used to hearing about being "ministers" within church, but do we perceive ourselves as being ministers in the workplace. The workplaces around Bristol need people who will be "pastors" caring for people in times of need, who will be "teachers" bringing some Godly wisdom and perspectives, "prophets" who will share what God is saying and bringers of Good News.
Joey Mitchell provides a thoughtful meditation on the fickleness of New Year's Resolutions, contrasting that with the very real imperative to Believe God for Big Things in 2012.
Warning: This video employs a youthful communication style.
A simple slogan but one that's resonated with a huge number of people. When we first launched Love Running in 2009 we thought we might get a few dozen people to sign up. Our ultimate goal was for a hundred.
So when 300 people eventually signed up and put on the red t-shirt we were, quite frankly, amazed.
If you have been in prison, getting back to work can be a big problem. In the current job climate, who would want to employ you? Without work there is a significant chance that you will reoffend.
Paul Harrod from our church has recently set up an amazing charity, giving jobs and training opportunities to ex-offenders. His work was one of the features on this week's BBC1 "Inside Out West" programme. If you missed it, you can see it by clicking here (the feature starts at 10.12 mins). If you would like to find out more about the initiative called Bristol Together you can go to their website www.bristoltogether.co.uk.
It's wonderful to see Christian entrepreneurs setting up Kingdom initiatives!
Somehow, Carols by Laserlight managed to capture people's imagination. Or at least their curiosity. Perhaps that's why it broke records for a Woodlands service, giving us the largest number of people we've ever gathered in the venue at one time.
Carols were led by a band, instead of a choir, giving them a modern, mashed-up vibe that fits perfectly with our regular evening church culture. Alongside media elements, readings and videos, the Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill, brought a challenging and inspiring message.
