A special Diamond Jubilee Grace will be said by thousands of people before their Big Jubilee Lunch on 3^rd June. It thanks God for the Queen, her reign, for the food and our communities. It is hoped that one of the London lunches to be filmed by the BBC will have the Bishop of London saying the Grace live on screen on Sunday. But don’t wait for the Bishop – plan to say the Grace together at your Big Jubilee Lunch. The words of the Grace. Jubilee resources page

Diamond Jubilee New Testaments – half a million gifts of life
It is so exciting that more than 613,000 Diamond Jubilee New Testaments and 67,000 Diamond Jubilee Souvenir brochures (pic above) will be presented to neighbours, schools, friends and children to celebrate the Jubilee. Both of these publications, from HOPE’s partners, link the Queen’s life with the Christian faith. 
 
Longton Community Church in Preston is giving 10,000 New Testaments out to all 39 schools in the South Ribble area to mark this once in a lifetime moment. Mike Philipson a headteacher and church elder, explains how God has ‘grown it’. 

Also, read about Ruth Edy who has a special reason for presenting them to a local primary school - Diamond Memories in the making. 

Special presentation labels are available on our Jubilee resources page to print and stick on the Bibles to give them a personal touch. We would love to know where and how you will give your New Testaments or Souvenir Brochures out. Post your stories, pics and videos on the ‘My Diamond Jubilee New Testament Story’ Facebook page or email us.

 

Chance for everyone, young or old, to write, or draw a picture, to say thank you directly to Her Majesty for 60 years of service. This is great as an activity at your street party. Print The Big Thank You sheets for your event and HOPE and the Church of England will deliver them to the Queen.

 

The Queen will be attending a special service to mark her Diamond Jubilee on Tuesday 5th June in St Paul’s Cathedral. You could screen the service at your church or include it in your event. It will start at 10.30am and the Order of Service is likely to be available the week before. There is a specially written prayer for the Queen. The BBC is planning to film Big Jubilee Lunches, for broadcast on 3^rd, in London as well as in towns and cities around the country.

Meeting neighbours for the first time might seem a little embarrassing that you have not met before during the 10 years you have lived there. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you are not alone. But take heart, ask God for courage, smile and start a conversation. Your friendliness could have an effect on someone - a positive encounter with a Christian could have eternal impact!

 

A network of over 4,000 Beacons will be lit by communities, churches and others throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, along with the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories on Monday 4th June 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Queen will light the last National Beacon in London at approximately 22:30 BST. Diamond Jubilee Beacons. See also Church Beacons, an initiative with Premier and the Diocese of London.

Imagine you’ve got a few seconds to catch the attention of your local reporter. Explain the most unusual fact and WHO is doing WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW. Write these down, add your own daytime telephone number and, if you have it, a digital photo that shows people doing something eye catching (Make sure you have permission if children are included in photo). Keep it short, with short sentences – and send copies to the newspaper editors and radio producers without delay – and do send us a copy at HOPE. Further media advice

We have heard reports of puppet shows, dog shows, community choirs, car shows, performances, talent shows, dramas about combatting gang culture and lots of other creative ways of celebrating together. Please take pictures and videos of your events, and post them on our HOPE facebook page with a few lines on how it went or what you are planning in your area. Please let us know!

Like HOPE on Facebook or follow on Twitter. See a selection of Big Jubilee lunches across the UK.