Updated 1st April 2021
We are really grateful to God that the roadmap for the journey out of lockdown seems to be proceeding as planned and we are really looking forward to being able to meet in person once again.
We have decided that although restrictions may allow us to host the event as usual, this does not feel like the right thing to do, our priority being to protect each other and follow all the guidelines.
In light of this we will instead be holding a ONE Day Celebration where we can come together as a Network, Churches, Friends and Families to worship together and give thanks to God for all he has done during this season. This will be held on the Lincolnshire Showground on the 28th August 10am to 10pm.
Our hope is to include the opportunity to worship together, and we will be making sure there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. This will also be a great opportunity to give thanks for the last 40 years of ONE Event.
Initially there will be 4,000 tickets available so we would encourage everyone to book in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We are aware that a number of people transferred their booking from last year, or have recently booked in. Everyone with a current booking will have a place reserved at the one day event until the end of April, you will need to complete the form found below to confirm your place, and tell us what you would like to do with any remaining order value.
We would love you to consider donating some or all of your unused booking fee, this will be put towards a bursary to provide free tickets to those who might not otherwise be able to attend the event and towards the work of Ground Level. As a Network this year we have continued to support our churches with leadership training, online resources and through our connections. We have also been a part of the Love Your Neighbour alliance, providing food and support to those most in need in communities across our Network.
Thank you so much for reading this ONE EVENT Update and may God richly bless you!
Stuart Bell & Paul Benger
Ground Level Network
Updated 23rd April 2020
We are now in a position to release a statement regarding the Coronavirus and the ONE Event 2020. Please see the statement from our Network Leader, Stuart Bell below and the bottom of this email for how this applies to you.
STATEMENT FROM NETWORK LEADER STUART BELL REGARDING ONE EVENT 2020
As promised we are giving an update on the One Event 2020.
Firstly we have decided, with regret, that the One Event 2020 is not going to go ahead as planned. We have come to this decision after a careful process of discernment and discussion as the Coronavirus situation has evolved. Our judgement is that over the next four months and at the time of the event there will be considerable nervousness and quite possibly government restrictions still in place about large gatherings. We cannot now plan our usual event on the Lincolnshire Showground with any degree of certainty and sadly feel the right course of action is not to go ahead in that way.
Secondly however we will be gathering online over the August bank holiday 2020 for One Event at home and within that at the same time there will be a new and focussed youth Event called Yth.Revival. Both events will be held on the evening of 28th August, and all day on the 29th August 2020.
One Event at Home will have worship, keynotes, seminars, prayer and fun for two days during the bank holiday weekend; this will include a focus for families so that kids get to experience One Event at home too.
Yth.Revival will be for young people Aged 11-18 who are already booked in for the 2020 Event plus others who we hope will join. We plan to have great speakers, excellent worship, groups, games, challenges and much more - using the technology that this age group is so familiar with to its fullest capacity.
Thirdly I want to say we are planning something big for the One Event 2021: 2021 is our 40th year and we have already begun planning something very special to celebrate 40 years of Grapevine and One Event. We wanted to mention this today so that you know that there is something extra special to look forward to in 2021 and, of course, being our 40th year we expect so many of our friends from around the world to connect with us and be a part of this. We look forward to you being a huge part of that event too. The One Event 2021 will be held on the 27th-31st August 2021 on the Lincolnshire Showground.
Finally, many of you may have pre-booked for 2020 and will be asking what happens to my booking and the fee paid.
There are three options that we’d like to offer you at this time.
- You can of course have a refund of the amount already paid
- You can simply transfer your ticket from the 2020 event to our 40 year Celebration in 2021
- You can make a donation to Ground Level using this money already paid.
The latter means that rather than opting for a refund or to transfer your ticket you donate the amount paid or part of that amount to the ministry of Ground Level. Not being able to go ahead with the ONE Event does have a negative financial impact on Ground Level of around £78,000. This is unavoidable and therefore we would be extremely grateful if you could consider donating the fees or part of any fees you have already paid, as you can imagine that would be extremely helpful to us at this difficult time.
For those who have already booked into the event you may be wondering what you need to do? At present you do not need to do anything, in the next two weeks the office will be in touch with you directly to guide you through whichever option you decide to take.
We want to assure you, that despite the challenges we are experiencing at present, God is doing amazing things within the Ground Level Network, and we are confident that as you connect this year and in the future together we will know God’s hand of favour upon our lives. This is our prayer for you!
Thank you so much for reading this ONE EVENT Update and may God richly bless you!
Stuart Bell
Network Leader
Ground Level Network
What does this mean for me if I have already booked?
Please allow us some time to put systems in place to process order changes. We will aim to be in touch with you directly regarding your booking within 2 weeks. You do not need to do anything or contact us during this time, we will be in touch with you directly to ask how you would like to proceed.
Updated 7th April 2020
A MESSAGE FROM NETWORK LEADER STUART BELL
The key value that Ground Level has sort to live by is “relationship”. We are conscious that we are now in a situation where this is no longer possible face to face. However, we want to do all we can to keep our connections strong and to this end, we aim to keep our usual rhythm of meetings online so that we can receive regular ministry and encouragement. This includes things like our Ground Level Leaders Days, National Forums and Leadership Engine Course.
Let’s stick together, pray regularly for one another and do all we can in terms of partnership and support so that when our lives return to some sense of normality we will have experienced God’s blessing in the days of restriction. Let's remember that Paul and Silas praised in prison, Joseph found the fulfilment of his destiny in prison and Paul wrote some of his best letters in confinement, we are not of course in prison, but we are in days of confinement. The enemy seems to have hemmed us in by trouble but in Psalm 139 v 5 David says “You have hemmed me in before and behind and you lay your hand upon me such knowledge is too wonderful for me.”
We miss you all and are praying for you, please be assured of our love and concern for your well-being.
Keep strong and keep safe.
God Bless
Stuart Bell,
Ground Level Network Leader
