Hello Friends

The church-based community initiative Hope08 has a brilliant opportunity of winning recognition for its work in Parliament, but we must all lobby our local MPs to ensure it happens.

Alun Michael MP, former First Minister for Wales has tabled an ‘Early Day Motion’ (EDM), a system used by MPs to highlight certain events and issues that would not normally be mentioned in Parliament.

Very few Early Day Motions actually get to be debated, but the more MPs that sign the Motion, better the chance of drawing Parliament’s attention to the vital work of Hope08.

This EDM already has strong cross-party support, and the vast amount of work for the good of the community that Hope08 is generating means that very few MPs will object to signing their names to it if asked.

That’s where you and your congregation’s help is needed. All you need to do is write to or email your MP or visit them during a surgery and ask them to read Early Day Motion 1480. Tell them how Hope08 is helping in your community and outline the vision of Hope08 and ask them to sign the EDM.

So far, 45 MPs have put their name to the Motion. You can check on the progress of the EDM here: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35746&SESSION=891

Below is the exact wording of the EDM so you’re familiar with it.

Early Day Motion 1480
That this House welcomes HOPE2008 and its vision of encouraging and resourcing churches across the UK to engage in community service throughout the year; recognises the valuable work that churches do in their local communities, including voluntary work, befriending and the provision of services - particularly in the most deprived areas - and encourages them to sign up to HOPE2008; is heartened by the support shown to HOPE2008 by politicians of all parties, church leaders, police chiefs and other prominent public figures; and encourages churches to carry the spirit of HOPE2008 beyond the end of the year itself.

This is a brilliant opportunity for individuals to make a real difference. Contact your MP today and help put Hope08 on parliamentary agenda.

If you're not sure who your MP is, you can find out simply by entering your postcode on this site http://www.theyworkforyou.com/