The concept of Hope 2008 is founded on prayer and the first priority has been to set up a prayer programme for all 58 roads in Pembury. Each week, all the houses in the selected road(s) will receive a leaflet explaining that their road is to be prayed for in all Pembury’s churches.

Community action begins with a clearing up/litter collecting session on Sunday 27^th April, starting from St Anselm’s Catholic Church at 2 pm, with appropriate equipment provided and refreshments available later in the Baptist Church. Hope 2008 seeks to closely involve the youth of the community, and along with other events for the young, Pembury will be staging a sponsored sleepover for the homeless.

One date for your diary is the Village Fun day that is planned for Saturday 12^th July from 1pm until 5pm. For the fun day, village organisations are being approached to participate. There will be stalls, games, live bands and fun for all the family. Profits will go to local charities. Response has been enthusiastic and if you would like to run a stall or games please do contact us.

On 13-14^th September there will be a weekend of community action, to include car washing, gardening for the elderly, cleaning and tidying community spaces, visiting the elderly and infirm. Later in the autumn there will be an inter-church quiz night.

Whereas Hope 2008 is nationally inspired, it is really down to local communities to make it happen. Pembury is making it happen, through a team of people drawn from all the churches. Of course, the hope is that this is just the beginning…..

Everybody is invited to participate in all the Hope events, so if you are interested in taking part please contact Jemma Alexander, Pembury Baptist Church’s Community Projects Leader on 01892 825590.

Jemma Alexander