Ready for Action

READY FOR ACTION Get involved, pray, support.

Resources to equip you and your church to make a Christian difference.

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Meet your MP

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Each of us has an elected Westminster MP, and Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales also have their own Parliament and Assembly Members. There are several ways for you and your church to make contact and offer encouragement: • Commit to praying for your MP. Write and let them know, and ask if they have specific requests • Attend their surgery • Invite them to your church for a service or to other activities during the week Visit: www.writetothem.com www.theyworkforyou.com

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Join a political party As a party member you can vote on some party issues, join committees, participate in the formation of policy and share in the selection of candidates for election at local and national level.

Ultimately you could be selected to contest an election!

Visit: www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk for more information

Engage with local government

Pray for Parliament

Local councils have jurisdiction over education, social services, licensing and planning. Councillors are highly influential representatives in our communities.

Pray for local and national politics. Join CARE’s ‘Rapid Response Group’ and receive occasional urgent email prayer requests about happenings in the Westminster Parliament.

• How well do you know your local councillors?

• Is your local council aware of activities your church offers to the local community?

• Have you ever considered becoming a local councillor?

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Email prayer@care.org.uk and ask to be added to the Rapid Response Prayer Group

Visit: beacouncillor.org.uk

Stay Informed

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Sign up for CARE’s weekly email bulletin Impact Direct and follow @careorguk on Twitter to stay informed.

Visit www.care.org.uk for resources and advice.

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Become a school governor School governors can make a significant contribution to a school. Being a governor is demanding and challenging, but provides an opportunity to influence a range of important decisions in the life of a school.

Visit: sgoss.org.uk

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Pray for your local schools

Start a prayer group for your local primary, secondary or special needs school.

Register with Pray for Schools and receive helpful updates and resources

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Explore setting up an evaluate team CARE’s relationship and sex education programme for schools brings a positive message to children at primary and secondary level. evaluate educators are trained volunteers who have a real heart for the young. More are needed!

See: www.evaluate.org.uk

Visit: www.prayforschools.org for more information

Prepare for future leadership

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Are you a university student, interested in politics and passionate about cultural change? CARE’s Leadership Programme offers recent graduates the opportunity to explore how we can develop our thinking, and engage biblically in our changing society.

Over eleven months, our Programme combines voluntary placements in the world of policy, advocacy and the media, with regular study. You or someone you know might be interested!

Visit: www.care.org.uk/leadershipprogramme

Investigate social media

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Twitter, Facebook, Youtube... Is your church active on the internet? The significance of the social web is growing. Are you going to be part of the online conversation?

Follow on Twitter: @careprayerdiary @loosethechains @careorguk @careleader Facebook: facebook.com/careorguk

Organise a

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‘Community Sunday’ This is an opportunity for churches to invite someone who is active in their local community (MP, local councillor, head teacher, community police officer etc) to come and tell the church about their work.

Churches who have held Community Sundays have been encouraged by the positive relationships that have developed.

New resources for 12 church leaders CARE’s latest online resource for church leaders begins with briefings, bible studies, videoclips and factsheets on the UK parliaments.

Visit: www.care.org.uk/churchleader Follow the Twitter account at: @careleader

leaders resources

Raise awareness of trafficking and exploitation

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Human trafficking and sexual exploitation continues to be a problem in the UK. Engage your church and community to be a part of the solution.

Look at the resources for more information and sign up to our email and twitter feed for the latest updates.

Visit: care.org.uk/humantrafficking Twitter: @loosethechains Email: ltc@care.org.uk

Invite CARE to speak at your church

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Members of CARE’s staff team regularly speak at churches across the UK. In Sunday services, Bible studies or special events, CARE will provide a dynamic and inspiring opportunity for your church to think about the connection between faith and politics. Contact our supporter relations team for more information or to invite someone from CARE to come and speak at your church.

Phone: 020 7233 0455 Email: supporter.relations@care.org.uk

Contact The Media Whether we are inspired or offended, communicating our views to programme makers and editors really can make a difference.

Our online resource provides contact details of all broadcasting companies and the main regulators.

Visit: care.org.uk/resources/mediacontacts

CARE / 53 Romney Street / London SW1P 3RF Tel 020 7233 0455 mail@care.org.uk www.care.org.uk Executive Chairman: Lyndon Bowring Chief Executive: Nola Leach Charity no. 1066963 Scottish Charity SC038911

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