28 September 2010

10,000 promises to change the world

Sixteen churches in west Cornwall have banded together to persuade10,000 local people to make a promise to help end world poverty. The promises are part of a worldwide Micah Challenge campaign, and just one of a series of events on October 10 (10.10.10), to remind our leaders that we are ten years into a fifteen year commitment to halve world poverty.

Churches Together in the Penzance area have already collected 500 promises from shoppers at the Wharfside Shopping Centre in the town. David H Smith, Secretary of Churches Together in the Penzance Area, commented, "We had tables erected in the shopping precinct and a 40" TV continuously showing Micah videos and collected promises from both young and old. We have eight schools and 16 churches, as well as the local YMCA, participating, so our target of 10,000 promises could well be achieved."

Promises collected from shoppers, in the form of handprints, included decisions to consider others more, to buy fairtrade and to demand the truth from politicians. All the promises will be presented to Andrew George, MP for St Ives and the Isle of Scilly, and Penzance Mayor, Councillor Jan Ruhrmund, at an event at Chapel Street Methodist Church in Penzance on the evening of October 10 (10.10.10).

The promises of Christians, from all parts of the world, will be brought together on 10.10.10 when over 100 million people will stand united in prayer and commit themselves to a life that remembers those in poverty. In London, Jesus House, in the north west of the city, will hold five different services, in three different languages (English, French and Portuguese), over the course of the day.

Around the country many other churches and individuals will be honouring 10.10.10. In Sheffield, the Cathedral's congregation, at each service on October 10, have been challenged to make a promise. In Manchester Irene Clare Garner has promised to pray for ten hours and Neil Sorenson, from Newcastle, is planning to take advantage of turning 40 on 10.10.10 to hold a special birthday party. He said, "For me, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a big birthday party where it's very easy to ask people not to buy me presents, but remember the world's poor instead."

Director of Micah Challenge UK, Andy Clasper commented, "Only God can achieve something so big as bringing an end to poverty, so we need to pray. I am so excited by the backing we have received for 10.10.10, across the spectrum, from the Church of England to the new churches. Prayer does change things and 10.10.10 gives every Christian the chance to make a difference."

Churches still have the chance to join in, pray, and make their own promises to remember the poor on 10.10.10. A comprehensive resource pack for churches to use is available at www.whatsyourpromise.org.uk or www.micahchallenge.org.uk

Watch What's your promise? from Micah Challenge in the UK on Vimeo.