Film Reveals Hope...
...in the Face of Tragic Loss
Jimmy Mizen was killed sense-lessly in an unprovoked attack in South East London on the day after his 16th birthday in May 2008. His family’s struggles in the months that followed and their profound insights from the tragic story of Jimmy’s death are featured in ‘Gift of Hope’ – a short film on
www.hopeinfo.co.uk. His parents, Barry and Margaret Mizen, talk openly about trying to come to terms with their loss and the film explores the link between faith and hope, showing that hope can prevail even when such desperate tragedy strikes. Many who’ve viewed the film have found it moving and thought-provoking judging by comments like these left online. “Am really encouraged and strengthened by this ‘abnormal faith’ that this couple have.” “Absolutely amazing. They have such great faith and hope.” Margaret Mizen ends the film with these words: “If you don’t have a faith then get one, because it is the only thing that keeps you going.”
The film was commissioned by Christian Enquiry Agency and Church Army as part of their commitment to the national Hope initiative. Around 1000 people have contacted Christian Enquiry Agency so far as a result of visiting
www.hopeinfo.co.uk.
Hundreds Enquire...
...through cathedral exhibitions
The splendid cathedrals that are such significant places of beauty and inspiration in the heart of our cities are major tourist attractions. People come for the art, architecture, the sense of history or as a refuge and simply a quiet place. Now some are contacting Christian Enquiry Agency to find out about the Christian faith thanks to a series of specially created exhibitions for cathedrals. Over 800 visitors have so far completed CEA response cards. “What a tremendous opportunity we have to tell people not just about the cathedral but about Jesus as their personal Saviour,” said Eric Thompson, director of the Deo Gloria Trust which commissioned the exhibitions.
Based on the Bible, each of the exhibitions feature creative use of textiles by Jacqui Frost alongside poems by Paul Field on different themes – Creation, Angels, Beatitudes, The Journey, Prayer, River of Life, I Am’s, Good Grief and, just commissioned, Rites of Passage. There are Christian Enquiry Agency freepost response cards for visitors to take. A cathedral guide said, “The three displays we have seen this year have been both beautiful and thought provoking. I sometimes work with first year secondary school children. Your work has been a great help in explaining various concepts to them.”
Prayer and Creation banners, which are exact copies of the originals in the exhibitions, can be hired by individual churches in addition to the exhibitions available to cathedrals. See
www.cathedralexhibition.org.uk or telephone Deo Gloria Trust on 020 8651 6246.