Features

Hope ’08 is a national year long social action initiative uniting churches across all denominations to help make a difference in neighbourhoods and communities across the country.

Working hard at Hope '08 Witton

On Saturday 7th June over 80 volunteers helped to clean up the streets around Witton.

They cleared overgrowth in alleyways and picked up rubbish off the streets to help make a difference in the area under the banner of Hope ’08 Aston Churches Together.

See pictures from the big clean up.

Dawn working hard at Hope '08 Witton

What Hope 08 means to us

Vounteers helping on the day attend several churches of all denominations across Aston, they talked about what being involved with Hope ’08 means to them. Here’s what they had to say: 

Dawn Birch attends Aston Parish Church and lives in Witton: “We’ve been cleaning up the dirty alleyway next to my house where the children play football.

“I hope people will realise the area has been cleaned up and hopefully they wont drop so much litter.”

Sandra Daniels and son

“It gives us an opportunity to get out of the churches and into the community”

Sandra Daniels from Mount Zion Christian Centre: “As Aston Churches Together we want to show God’s love in a practical way. There are lots of churches in this area and the gospel is preached every week, but Hope ‘08 gives people an opportunity to get out of the churches and into the community.”

Louis Butler (Aston Parish Church), Frank Spencer (St James Church Aston), and Peter Franks (St James church Aston): “We've been involved in community clean ups for over four years now. This year for Hope ‘08 we have planned lots of different things. It’s great to get all the Aston churches working together.”

Leon Rogers and fiancee

Leon Rogers: “Hope 08 Witton is not just a one off event; Aston churches do lots of other events in the parish throughout the year.

"When Aston Churches Together do an event like this people see that we are serving the community. It’s a good way of bringing the community together.”

“Showing God’s love in a practical way”

Ivor Lewis (Aston Parish Church youth worker): “Witton is on the edge of the Aston and Perry Barr wards and because it sits on the edge it’s a forgotten about area. I hope and believe this Hope weekend will highlight the issues in Witton and put the area back on the map,”

Fiona Robertson and Ivor Lewis

Councillor John Hunt (Perry Barr ward): “ I think it’s terrific to see so many people out on the streets cleaning things up and taking responsibility for their area. The council always tries to encourage community clean ups.”

Revd Fiona Robertson (Aston Churches Together Hope ’08 Co-ordinator): “It’s been amazing to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds come out to help. It’s brilliant to see how much rubbish has been collected and the difference we’ve made in the area.

“As Aston churches together we want to share the hope of God and bless our communities. We believe that God is generous and that He has blessed us, so we want to bless and be generous to others.”

Working hard at Hope '08 Witton

More weekends of Hope

Aston Churches Together have more Hope ‘08 weekend events planned throughout the summer. Each weekend will be based in a different area of Aston and will serve the local community in some way.

Activities will include more neighbourhood clear ups, gardening, mural painting, church services, outdoor events, working together with local community organisations.

During the events Christians from the Aston Churches will also be sharing the message of Hope.

Aston Churches Together further Hope weekend dates:

• 5th - 6th July

• 9th - 10th August

Clearing the alleyways

If you would like more information on Hope '08 in Aston or would like to get involved please contact Fiona Robertson.

Email: fiona@astonnechellscofe.org.uk or Tel: 0121 326 7390.

Nechells Churches Together are also running Hope events:

• 12th July - Nechells Fun Day,
• ]13th July- Open Air service
• 20th - 21st September - Car wash and Open air service

Also find out what other Hope 08 events are happening across the city by visiting the Hope '08 Birmingham website.

Tell us about YOUR Hope '08

Throughout the year there will be loads of stories, events and projects happening across the city and surrounding areas.

We want to know about YOUR Hope '08 events - send us your photos, stories and experiences and we will add them as features to the BBC Birmingham website.

Email: birmingham@bbc.co.uk