The Olympic Torch Relay in Somerset

To Churches Together Groups and LEPs in places through which the Olympic Torch Relay will be passing on 21/22 May 2012, namely Porlock, Minehead, Dunster, Carhampton, Washford, Williton, Taunton, Ilminster, Yeovil, Ilchester, Somerton, Street, Glastonbury, Coxley, Wells, Croscombe, Shepton Mallet, Frome, Southwick, Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Bitton, Longwell Green, and Hanham.

Did you know that the Olympic Torch will be passing through Somerset on Monday 21^st and Tuesday 22^nd May 2012,staying overnight in Taunton?

This is a gift and an opportunity for us to celebrate the Olympics and the Paralympics, and to host the torch as it passes through our county. Many of you will have plans for such hospitality and celebrations well advanced.

For those of you looking for inspiration, information or further resources, there is a lot of very useful material on the More Than Gold website. Below are some key links but keep checking the site for updated information as the games, and the torch, come ever nearer!

1. More Than Gold: helping your church make the most of the 2012 Olympics has an excellent web-site here: http://www.morethangold.org.uk/

2. Dates for the Olympic Torch Relay – spot your location! For all information about location and dates, visit http://www.morethangold.org.uk/service/the-torch-relay.html

3. Information about Mission Teams can be found here: http://www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/mission-team-for-your-church.htmlBasic guidelines about mission, evangelism and the Olympics can be found here: www.cte.org.uk/2012missiontogether(this is a work in progress, but worth a visit)

4. Resources for those welcoming the Torch can be found here: http://www.morethangold.org.uk/resources/free-resources.html This links you also to a fabulous 48 page Traidcraft resource pack for churches/churches together groups involved in the Torch Relay.

5. Training Days: A series of ‘Get Set’ training days for churches to help you and your church/Churches Together group to ‘get set’ for the Olympics is being offered. For venues, training content, prices and all the information you need, look here: http://www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/get-set-a-day-to-get-ready.html

6. A Press Release from CTE Presidents can be found here: www.cte.org.uk/CTEPresidents2012Mission

Please do let me know if there is anything that I or Churches Together in Somerset can do to support you as the Olympics draw closer. And if you have any photos/stories of the torch as it passes through, please, do pass them on – we’ll celebrate all together!

Gabrielle Grace,

County Ecumenical Officer for Somerset Churches Together

078111 08218 sctog a_t phonecoop d_o_t coop