The Church of England's Olympic and Paralympic Executive Coordinator, the Revd Canon Duncan Green, is encouraging church leaders to attend one of a series of briefings touring the UK in October and November organised by More Than Gold, the ecumenical organisation which aims to support, enthuse and resource churches of all denominations in the way they use the 2012 Olympics as a catalyst to mission. The call comes as the Church of England launches a special Olympics section and podcast on its website at www.cofe.anglican.org/olympics.

He said: "The Olympic and Paralympic Games will attract many millions of visitors to the UK and will be watched by a worldwide TV audience in excess of three billion. The 2012 Games will also offer churches a unique opportunity to reach out into their communities with special Games-related mission and outreach events. More Than Gold coordinates the Christian response to the 2012 Games and offers us a wealth of experience and expertise in events, festivals and sports ministry. The planned regional briefings offer you an opportunity to see for yourself what can be done in your local situation and the resources and support that are available to your church."

The Vision Tour of briefings, aimed at church leaders, community workers and missioners, began this week on 11th October in Birmingham and visits locations in Exeter, Windsor, Cardiff, Nottingham, Sheffield, Durham, Wigan, Esher, Ely and London, ending on 4th November.

The Bishop of Barking, the Rt Revd David Hawkins, who has contributed an article to the special Church of England Olympics website section www.cofe.anglican.org/olympics, backed up Duncan Green's call to mission: "The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for churches to engage with an event of major significance and celebration in the life of our nation, and the 'Olympic lens' must focus our ministry and our mission. Some initiatives can be planned six months before the Games. Most partnership projects will need to be planned now if they are to be effective in the summer of 2012."

David Willson, More Than Gold's chief executive, said: "Past Olympics have seen the churches running extensive programmes of hospitality, outreach and service. Now the baton has been passed to the UK. These briefings will help churches here seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Full details of the Vision Tour of More Than Gold briefings are available at www.morethangold.org.uk/visiontour.

Notes

The Revd Canon Duncan Green has been appointed to the post of Olympic and Paralympic Executive Coordinator in a joint initiative between the Dioceses of Chelmsford, London and Southwark.

More Than Gold is an ecumenical organisation seeking to enable UK churches to engage with the 2012 Games. It aims to help thousands of churches taste the excitement of reaching local communities in fresh and ongoing ways. For more on More Than Gold, visit www.morethangold.org.uk.