Blackpool... and a plea for help!

So, I went to BU Assembly, hoping to encourage lots of new people to come along to Leading Edge this year.
On the one hand, I was really encouraged by the positive comments and support received from those people I spoke with... Leading Edge is, without doubt, highly valued!

On the flip side, I was a tad fummoxed by the number of people who still claim not to have even HEARD about LE. I sort of know why... to many busy church leaders and secretaries, LE publicity is just another piece of unsolicited advertising, I know I've opened envelopes and consigned contents to the file marked B (bin!)

I've been looking at numbers (and here's where you can help) - so far this year, we're about 100 bookings down on this time last year. NOW, we were late starting because of all the debates about the future, AND we're not out to make a huge profit BUT we really need to break even. I reckon, that in order to do that we need about another 400 people to book!!!

I'm usually pretty bad at booking early - I think about it, put it on the pile, meaning to do it, but it usually ends up buried somewhere until timing is critical...
Late in July, we'll look at bookings and think about LE 2012. I don't believe it would be right for the planning group to make decisions about next year, based on people being last minute this year!

So, over to you... get your ENCOURAGING boots on - well, you know what I mean - newbies, oldies, pretty much any-bies.
If your pastor/minister has never been before, I will send them a voucher for a major discount to encourage them to try LE out (with a view to returning with the church next time, of course.. hehe)
If every person currently booked persuaded ONE person, we'd be almost there, besides, isn't there something vaguely scriptural about nothing being impossible with God? ;)

I'll be at my desk, awaiting the deluge of post!!!

Blessings and free hugs (see the Light Project web page for details)

Jill

Productive!

Thanks to all who prayed - we've had a VERY productive day... things are looking positive :)

It's going to be so good - who will you bring?

If even half of previous L:Edgers brought a new family or person, just think what a blessing we could be.

Tomorrow is D-Day...

AKA LE Director's meeting.

It's going to be quite an intense session, with the possibility of some internal structural changes (don't worry - it's organizational, no need to panic!)

We hope that this will free up the creative dynamic of planning LE for the future - God willing, of course.

We'll be spending time beginning to fine tune this year's programme and if our previous thoughts and discussions are anything to go by, I am SO excited at the possibilities this year might bring.


So, my dear L:Edgers, will you play your part and pray for the team that is meeting tomorrow?  [Wednesday 6th from 11am-4pm] Pray for God's wisdom in all we do, pray that His will is done and that our good ideas are really GOD ideas.


I'll keep you updated of progress.


Blessings and Hugs




Jill

Madness...part 2

Well, I'm grateful to say that the letters have kept on coming and we've now got 40% of the numbers we had on site last year! I suspect today will be another busy one.

So now, I'm asking you guys to get busy... if you've not made a booking yet, go for it, send me more people... it would be amazing if we managed to have EVEN MORE people than last year :)

We've got a couple of big advertising pushes coming up... the next issue of Transform will carry an advert and the conference packs at BUGB Assembly will also contain our booking leaflet. I'm actually going to be in Blackpool, touting for business... you'll recognise me by the Leading Edge T-shirt... so if you're there, come say hi. I love the idea of putting faces to all these names.

Hope your weekend brings many blessings


Jill

Madness

Nope, I'm not looking for hairs on the palms of my hands (VERY old joke), I'm trying to describe the sudden flurry of bookings that landed on my desk today.
Now, I know that this is because we all enjoy a bargain AND pennies are kind of tight given the state of the economy etc. etc. lots of lovely people are taking advantage of the early booking discount this year... it's really great.

What is also suggests to me is something I already know - we Baptist Christians do seem to leave things to the last minute... well, I suppose I can really only speak for myself... I  wonder how many envelopes my postie will bring tomorrow?

Thing is, this event organising, I just can't leave everything 'til later. If I did, I'd be buried under a mountain of forms, receipts, cheques, used envelopes, stamps for recycling with BMS World Mission, new envelopes, address labels and invoices. Oh, yes, and volunteer forms.

One of the lovely things about handling the bookings is that, by the time you all arrive on site, I'll feel as if I know you all personally - that said, please don't be too harsh if I don't remember your name, address and telephone number off by heart!

Jill

144 days... and counting

I met my line manager this week in London. His message to me... "Chill."

Most of the time I am quite chilled but every now and again, I do wonder what I'm doing. Happily, I'm not responsible for LE - well, I AM responsible for doing the bits I can, but I can only do them because God equips me and it's good to remember that sometimes.

LE is is a GOD event - I hope this year's week will also be enjoyed as a good event, and one from which we can all take a little more of God's love, grace, peace and forgiveness back to our communities, whether little rural hamlets or major cities.
I'm praying already that we'll be agents of change in our world - Lord knows we need it!

In around 6 weeks we'll celebrate Easter, an event unparallelled in human history, when the God of Creation, far beyond our most imaginative imaginings, made the move to set us free from all the rubbish this existance brings. Wouldn't it be amazing if each one of us, came to LE this year with a story of something small, where being Christ in our own place made a difference?

Let's undertake to pray that God will use LE to challenge and equip us as individuals, as Baptist community and as His church to fulfil His purposes.

Shalom
Jill x

Another special note for volunteer-y types... (but anyone can read!)

I've had a call from Baptist House!!!!

The past few weeks, they've been receiving notification of new or renewed CRB checks with names they don't recognise. The only thing they could think of was that LE volunteers were sorting out their CRB's for this year.

This is GREAT news, BUT, if you do need a CRB, either new or a renewal, please could you communicate it via myself so I know who has what. I am in liaison with Didcot, but the forms don't always say Leading Edge so it would save everyone some detective work if I was able to pass on the right information :)

Thanks everyone - have a GREAT and blessed weekend

Jill

Eek! I think I've made my first major blooper... maybe... well, possibly...

Are you interested in volunteering to help at LE? Have you ever volunteered for LE before? If you HAVE, it's okay, I'm off the hook, you already know how things work around here... if you HAVEN'T then I've made a minor (major) error...

I should have told you how to get hold of information for new volunteers in your publicity pack... I didn't, sorry.

However, it's never too late! If you'd like to volunteer this year (and haven't done so before) you can find out all the info you need on the LE website www.baptist.org.uk/leadingedge
If you click the 'Get Involved' tab there's info about what roles are available and how to apply for them.

LE has always been well served by numerous volunteers - I can't say enough about how wonderful and appreciated they are.
If you need any more information, just drop me a note and I'll do my best to get it right!!!

Blessings

Jill

It's been a while...

In fact it's been several weeks!

Life has picked up a pace and, much as I love it, it's left little time for blogging.

I hope, by now, you've received your information for this year's event. I know that some people haven't had volunteer forms in their packs - I do apologise for this, it's one hundred per cent human error (mine!) as I tried to visually amalgamate the labels on envelopes with an excel list.
If you've volunteered before and wish to do so again, please do let me know and I can make sure you have what you need.

If you volunteered in 2010, you can re-register online - there's a link on this page and on the Facebook group page. The page is set up via Googledocs and is password protected, accessible only to myself  BUT, if you prefer, you can still complete and return an actual real-life-paper-form!!!

So, since I last blogged we've had a Director's meeting (see pics illustrating just how hard they work)... a major mailing - note to self... next year make sure envelopes and stamps are self-adhesive - and our first actual booking.

The programme is taking shape and exciting things are afoot. I'm off to Warwick on the 21st to see how we can liaise with the Folk Festival for a smooth handover... your prayers would be most appreciated.

Exciting times....

Look at all those notes and laptops... hard-working and good-looking... LE Directors at work!

Non-campers... don't be put off, there are options!

I know that not everyone is keen on life under canvas, even for less than a week (my husband being one of them these days) so I've been doing a bit of research.
Warwick is FULL of guest houses... I've even made up a list of those from the local Tourist Board or you can visit their page here Visit Warwick

So if you'd like to visit LE this year there are options! Don't miss out just because a roll-mat and sleeping bag don't appeal to you, there are special rates on the booking forms for people staying off-site.

On a somewhat different note, how about visiting the LE facebook page and catching up with friends old and new... plan your stay together or share stories and hopes for this year.
It's a bit sad to see the page so underused and I really don't want to have to talk to myself any more than I already do!

Jill

Done...

They'll be in the post tomorrow - thank goodness!!

I see the winning post...

Almost there... should finish the stuffing today :) then comes the stamping - self-adhesive this time, have learned from the foolishness of ordering licky envelopes...

Next year, God-willing, there will be stuffing parties or envelope days to achieve this task - I reckon there is an opportunity for community and sharing the load. It's not that I don't appreciate offers of help I've had this year, I've just had this perverse notion that I needed to experience what it takes - does that make sense? Now, I know, and a team effort will be most preferable.

To all who are chomping at the bit, please accept my apoligies for lateness of this years mailing. I hope and pray that this year's LE will be more than worth the wait.

BIG Blessings

Jill

Just keep printing, just keep stuffing...

My weekend consisted of envelopes... lots and lots of envelopes.
My Monday - and it's not over yet - is consisting of printing, printing and more printing!

My life for the next week will be taken over by the LE mailout (wonder what the post lady is going to say when I need to post over 4000 envelopes?)
I'm planning a 'stuffing party' either Wednesday or Thursday evening, with food provided, so if you're local to the Norwich area I'd love to hear from you :-)

I'm making notes for next year, oh yes I am, about how I might manage to streamline the process, but I needed to do it this year so I could see exactly what it is needs doing - does that make sense?

So - we really are 'watch this space' for the enticing brown envelope with the snazzy LE labels... hopefully going 'plop' on a doormat near you VERY soon!

Jill

What an exciting day...

I've been in Basildon with the creative planning team and - practical changes aside - we've pretty much nailed this year's LE programme... I AM SO EXCITED!!

As you already know, this year's theme is based on Psalm 46 (The Message) and is titled Step out of the Traffic - refuelling for living. We believe that to refuel, we need to encounter God, and our daily themes will begin by focusing on Biblical encounters.
Right across the ages, we'll be looking at the same stories and asking God to show us things that are appropriate to us where we are - giving families and groups opportunity to share experiences later on.

We'll be receiving quality teaching, given the opportunity to consider applications that relate to our daily lives and listening to inspirational speakers with opportunities to respond.

The name may be the same, but the format of this year's Leading Edge will be something new!

Have I said enough to whet your appetite?

Look out for your friendly postie over the next week or so... I'll be spending the next few days stuffing envelopes and your brochures will be on their way.

Jill

Welcome to 2011

Today is my first proper day back at work and I almost had a minor panic when I realised that LE will take place in just over 6 months... eek!

When I'd calmed down, I wrote some emails, made some phone calls and got to work on a few letters, then I felt much better.
I'm now waiting on the delivery of publicity before I embark on a MASSIVE mail out - the sooner that happens, the better. Please think of me as I stuff envelopes and lick stamps... okay, maybe not so much, but it is a mega-task... I'm hoping to conscript a few volunteers... look out my Genesis chaps!

Next Tuesday, the programme planning team is meeting and I'm really excited about that - we'll be adding detail to the programme outline and shaping the whole event... watch this space! I'd love to share any developments with you.

Meanwhile, here's to a hopeful and God-filled 2011 and an amazing Leading Edge.


Blessings

Jill

Progress!

Whoop, whoop! Much excitement. I've seen it!

James, in the Comms Department at Baptist House, has sent me the (almost) final draft of the publicity for LE 2011 and it's looking GREAT.

Of course, having proofed it, there are a couple of very minor changes I want to make, but all in all it is pretty much done... next step printing and distribution.

Hmmm... do I give you a teaser?

Oh, go on then...

We've got FOUR amazing speakers, including the President and Vice-President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, AND the England Director of the UK Evangelical Alliance AS WELL AS our much loved and respected General Secretary...

Got the names worked out yet?

Peace and Love

Jill

Snow... and publicity

...because of course the two things do go together. (Okay, they don't, I just wanted to give this post an eyecatching title)

That said, we have had the white stuff here in Norfolk. I reckon there were three to four inches - that's 8-10cm if you've gone metric - on my car when I set out for work this morning. Ironically, by the time I got to the office, there was barely a smattering, bizarre when the two locations are only around 15 miles apart.

Clearly the snow agrees with me creatively, as I've been able to discuss and send the text for next year's poster through to James at Didcot and the whole thing is well underway. I'm feeling quite satisfied.

I was thinking about the theme... Step Out of the Traffic, refuelling for living... and the two words that leapt off the page were STEP OUT.

I realise we need to move aside and have time with God, but we also need the faith and trust to be able to step out and act when God tells us to do so.

I honeslty believe that God is doing a new thing with LE and I, for one, am excited already. How about you?

Mondays come around too soon... oh yes they do!

Have you noticed how the weeks can drag, but the weekends always zip by at a rate of knots?

It was a great weekend in Eastbourne at the Youthwork Conference - around 50 Baptist Youth Workers came along to share tea and cakes and meet one another.


I was grateful for the opportunity to 'plug' LE, although I think I might have gone on a bit (Note to self: know when to shut up and sit down!) and we gave out some postcards with outline details for next year. 


Today it's back to thinking - trying to structure the publicity so it is the right balance of eyecatching and informative without being so wordy it's off-putting.


Plus - you heard it here first - LE is undergoing a transformation! The planning team are meeting in January to consider new ways of programming, while still retaining the wonderful aspects of Leading Edge... the community feel, the great kids and youth work and the encouraging and developing of people's gifts.
It's very much God's event... and we continue to seek Him in everything we're doing.


Keep praying with us.


Grace and Peace




Jill

More Edging forwards...

Sorry, do expect horrid puns and things in my writing, it kind of reflects my personality!

I'm at The Youthwork Conference this weekend, but LE is never far from my thoughts. I've brought some work with me - working on the text for the publicity - grappling with the issue of what would make people want to come to LE?

I sent out a mass Facebook request for inspiration, and I've gleaned some great ideas BUT I'm still very conscious that there aren't really enough words - you have to EXPERIENCE it.

I've been listening to a series of sermons from Mars Hill Bible Church on the topic of Kingdom, and pretty much the same principle applies... you can tell people, but until they get involved and experience it for themselves it doesn't quite have the same impact.

I want people to experience God, I want people to experience living in community, I want people to experience encouragement for their giftings...

I believe they can do this - not exclusively of course, but in large part - at Leading Edge.

So, between now and booking opening, I'm going to share my experiences of Leading Edge with as many people as possible. It may not be quite the same, but I can at least share and encourage. This afternoon, I'm going to stand up and talk to a load of Baptist youth workers at a reception... I wonder how many have never even heard of LE?

If everyboy who reads this shares with a couple of extra people, and they decide to come, think what an impact it could have - on them as individuals, on families, on community, on the town of Warwick and on the Kingdom.

So, I'm asking you all a favour... please, share YOUR experience in the hope of encouraging others.

Hugs and Blessings

Jill

Work in Progress...

Will it? Won't it? Is this what God wants? A lot of questions and a great deal of prayer went into the decision to continue meeting each summer and I, for one, am delighted that LE will continue.

Of course, that does bring its challenges as I volunteered myself to help with organisation and I'm just beginning to realise what a lot of organising it takes. 

Most pressing at the moment is publicity. 

I need to get this out as soon as possible, so all you lovely people can get booking and B.A.N - bring a newbie, yes, still going on about that!

The poster is with the designer, I've 'creatively thought' about the information and I hope we'll be sending it to the printer within the next week or so. Then it will be over to you!

Just a thought...

If you feel like chatting to people in your church, over coffee, about LE, I'd be very appreciative of the enthusiasm - word of mouth is, by far, the best way of advertising.

I sent a message on the LE Facebook group asking people for 10 reasons to come to Leading Edge.

My favourite so far comes from Alexandra Travis (thanks Alex) who says come to Leading Edge and meet your future husband/wife... well, her best friend did six years ago!!

Leading Edge Speed dating anyone?

Til next time - peace and love

Jill