Do we have hope for the future of our children and young people? Do we have hope for our town of
Stevenage and hope for England? The Partnership for Hope in Stevenage has been formed out of the
relationship, mutual respect and friendship between the leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre,
The John Henry Newman Roman Catholic School and St Peter’s Anglican Church.

In the first quarter of 2008, the Partnership for Hope is staging an event entitled Your Time – You Choose,
to take place on Friday 29 February and Saturday 1 March at the Cathedral of St George, situated at the
edge of Shephalbury Park. The event will be facilitated by young people from both primary and secondary
schools in Stevenage, who have written and will perform a drama, submitted multimedia presentations and
art work. The aim of the project is to provide an opportunity for children and young people to evaluate
their approach to the different life choices they are making now and in the future, with hope as an
overarching theme.

On Friday 29 February schools will come to the Cathedral of St George
to see the drama, multimedia presentations and art work. The pupils
and students will take part in workshops, which will explore themes
arising from the drama, media and art. On Saturday 1 March at the
Cathedral, Your Time – You Choose will be presented to all ages
within our wider community, encouraging us all to focus on the role of
hope in our own decision making, as well as celebrating the hope
offered through the children and young people of Stevenage.

The Christian core value of Hope has been adopted nationally for the
year 2008 by Churches of all denominations, with the aim of churches
working together to serve local communities. Churches Together in
Stevenage has encouraged local churches to respond to this national
initiative. The Partnership for Hope sponsorship of Your Time – You
Choose is one such project in Stevenage, and it is being supported by
the Bridgebuilders and Cornerstone Christian Trusts.

The project will be given an official launch at 12.00am on Wednesday 28 November 2007 at the John Henry
Newman School, Hitchin Rd, Stevenage. The Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Graham Clark, will join Head
Teacher Mr Michael Kelly, His Grace Bishop Angaelos and The Revd David Hague for the launch. A letter of
co-operation will be signed by members of The Partnership for Hope, as three historic strands of
Christianity commit to the joint communication of hope for our children and town of Stevenage.