ONE Event 2020 update 24 Apr
Statement from Network Leader, Stuart Bell. Regarding 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 later 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
