A new training day aimed at making the church 'centre stage' in local communities will be rolling out across London, Hertfordshire and Wiltshire next month.

The Church at the Heart of Community training will provide practical ideas that churches can tailor to meet the needs of their areas.

Participants will also hear more about how they can get people talking and working together to reach their communities.

This includes organising events and festivals around key events like the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, and many of the big church festivals.

The emphasis is on helping churches to identify opportunities and what actions they could take to make the most of them.

The training day is being run by Fusion Youth and Community, Messy Church, HOPE 2014 and Crossing London.

It has been held successfully in Liverpool and Dorset already, and will take place again on five dates in March.

Europe Director of Fusion Youth and Community, Marty Woods said he had been "overwhelmed" by the positive response at the first training days.

"We all have contacts in the community and we want our friends, neighbours, work colleagues and others to see 'church' in a different way," he said.

"This may be through attending a community event or initiative organised by the local church. But our training days are not just about organising festivals.

"We're also teaming up with Messy Church, which is a fantastic programme that can be used after our events to encourage people to take the first steps into church."

The March dates and venues are:
North West London – Saturday 1 March 1 10:30am - 4pm; St Michael's Church, Stonebridge, NW10; Cost - £18 on the door, or £15 per person pre-registered (includes lunch)
Hertfordshire - Saturday 8 March 9:30am - 1pm; St George's Church, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1BY; Free event
Central London – Saturday 15 March 10:30am - 4pm; URC City Temple, Holborn Viaduct, EC1A; Cost - £18 on the door, or £15 per person pre-registered (includes lunch)
Wiltshire - Saturday 22 March 9:30am -1pm; Amesbury Baptist Church, Amesbury, SP4 7SN; Free event.
South East London – Saturday 29 March 10:30am - 4pm; New Life Centre, Croydon, CR0 1XP; Cost - £18 on the door, or £15 per person pre-registered (includes lunch)

Online registration is available at eventbrite.co.uk