More Than Gold are offering churches practical training and help for staging festivals and community events during the 2012 Games
 
Following thousands of street parties last weekend for the Diamond Jubilee, many churches are now focusing attention on plans for the Olympics and Paralympics in less than two months time.

Here's what More Than Gold has lined up to help:
 
SKILLS TRAINING
 
To help you and your team be at your best More Than Gold is offering highly practical workshops. These include Clowning: a fun and easy way to create millions of smiles, put sparkle in people's eyes and put love in their hearts. They are led by Graeme Frauenfelder, all the way from Australia.
 
The other practical skills components include
    •    Running effective centre games that build community
    •    Balloon sculpting
    •    Face Painting
    •    Time for last minute questions and prayer for each other
 
TRAINING EVENT DATES
 
South London Saturday 9 June 10am-1pm Streatham Baptist Church, 22 Lewin Road, Streatham SW16 6JR. Emphasis on Running Effective Centre Games (no clowning workshop)
 
North London Saturday 23 June 3-6pm St Michaels and All Angels Hillside, Stonebridge, NW10 8LB. Includes three-hour clowning workshop
 
Welwyn Garden City Wednesday 27 June 7-9.30pm
Unit 2, Sterling Court, Mundells, Hertfordshire AL7 1FT.
Includes two-hour clowning workshop
 
Cambridge Saturday 30 June 5-8pm Adventist Church, 15-17 Hobart Road CB13PU. Includes three-hour clowning workshop
 
South London Saturday 7 July 10.30am-2pm Tooting Junction Baptist Church, 158-160 Longley Road SW17 9LD. Includes three-hour clowning workshop
 
Preston Sunday 8 July 3-6pm, St Mathews Mission, Acregate Lane PR1 5QQ. Includes three-hour clowning workshop
 
Just turn up on the day and be willing to make a contribution to help cover transport costs.
 
Like some skills training in your area? The team may be able to fit something in on a week night between the end of June to early July. Interested? Contact Stephen Pillinger on 077160 93280 or at Stephen.pillinger@fusionyac.org
 
SEE A FESTIVAL IN ACTION
 
There's nothing like 'seeing' what a festival can be like. That's what those who came to see our recent festival at Crystal Palace told us. And there are three new opportunities to watch – and even take part in.
 
Bath Sunday 24 June 12.30 to 4.00pm in front of the Royal Crescent
 
Oxfordshire Saturday 14 July 2 to 5pm - Bury Knowle Park, Headington, Oxford
 
London 14 July - Streatham Common - The Games Family Fun Day, 1-5pm
 
OUTREACH RESOURCES TO USE OR GIVE AWAY
 
More than 100,000 More Than Gold outreach resources items have now been bought. Order yours in good time so as not to be disappointed.
 
You'll find a mass of choice at www.morethangold.org.uk/webshop
 
BE SURE TO GET YOUR EVENTS ON THE MAP
 
Let More Than Gold know what you are doing and they'll get you added to their interactive map,  help get the word out and link you in to LOCOG's Local Leaders programme.
 
Register your event on line at www.morethangold.org.uk/ourevent

You'll also find more help at the Open Crowd Festivals website run by Fusion YAC