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CV-19 update for Passion Plays in 2021

PT Admin
February 14, 2021
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Image with text saying Passion Plays 2021, Coronavirus Updates

Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and national lockdowns, organisers across the country have cancelled or postponed 2021 Passion Plays (performances and live events), again this Easter. Passion Plays are an important part of the story-telling heritage in the UK. They are such a meaningful part of Easter for so many people. We want to keep these traditions alive and see Passion Plays flourish once more.  We will publish news of any performances between now and the summer on our site here and on social media. Please keep in touch!

In the meantime, here are some online performances from the Passion Plays around the UK:

Trafalgar Square – Passion of the Christ

Good Friday 2 April 2021 – 12 noon and 3 pm. Passion of Jesus Play recorded in 2019 in Trafalgar Square will be live-streamed on the Wintershall Facebook page:

The livestream lasts for 90 minutes. The livestream will be posted on YouTube afterwards for those who missed it. Wintershall are committed to returning to Trafalgar Square on Good Friday 2022. They will perform the Passion of Jesus play together with other towns and cities across the UK, as part of our One Good Friday project.

The Passion Stories – Lamps Collective

Looking for a creative and engaging way to experience Lent and Easter this year? If so, The Passion Stories may be your answer.

Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and a young centurion called Marcus Six perform their stories direct to camera in these videos. Vivid, immediate, personal and compelling, they recall the events of Holy Week in accessible contemporary language.

Themed studies accompany each video. They include material for reflection or discussion, questions to ponder and a related prayer. These are ideal for small groups, individuals, or for church services. The Passion Stories download is free with an option to donate to LAMPS’ work.

 

‘Arms Wide Open’

Drama Kirk from Lanarkshire present a film “With Arms Wide Open”. This lasts for 30 minutes and will premiere on Easter Saturday at 2pm on www.youtube.com/HamiltonOld

Filmed during lockdown, the 30 minute film features two professional actors in the roles of Jesus and Luke, as well as members of the Drama Kirk team.

Drama Kirk’s 2021 Passion Play tells the Easter story from the perspective of Gospel writer Luke. Putting Jesus’ story together years after his death; the disciples share what their encounters had meant for them. It also includes a series of flashbacks to that final, fatal week.

 

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Is fundraising like online dating?

Online dating is trying to find the right match among many differnet people. Fundraising for Passion Plays is similar to online dating in one respect: trying to find the right match for your Play among different trusts and funding charities. Finding this perfect match is the key to raising funds to tell the Easter story!

Once you find trusts and funders who are of a similar mindset and value the things you value, you are well on the way to a perfect match.

 

How do we find potential funders?

The Charity Commission’s Register of Charities allows you to search for free by using filters to narrow your search. (Remember, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.)
Funding Central is another register that is free to access.
For a more expensive option, you can try the Directory of Social Change’s Funds Online website which is regularly updated.
Since Passion Plays bring many churches of all denominations together, your diocese can be a good source of information and signposting. For example, see the Diocese of Bristol and their list of funders here.  www.bristol.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-funding-guide/
The Christian Funders’ Forum is also a useful source.

 

How do we let funders know our project is a good match for them?

Now is the time to do some research and really think about compatibility with the funders you are researching.

You can research their online content, websites, and also Further information will be inread through their annual reports published on the Charity Commissions website (click ‘Documents’ tab). These annual reports will give useful imformation about projects they have previously funded.

A quick phone call can also be helpful in establishing contact and goodwill as you will be able to find out more about them and let them know what you do.

Remember here that one of the key elements is timing! Some funders have a set application process that requires you to apply before a deadline. Other funders have trustees’ meetings at set times during the year and those times are good to work with.

The timing of your project also matters. Some funders like to fund projects in the early stage of development, while others like to give funding when they see other funders have already contributed.

There is a lot to think about with fundraising! But Passion Plays are such unique projects that it can also be an enjoyable process. Many funders like to hear about large community arts events that tell the Easter story in fresh and inspiring ways. Not only do Passion Plays have large outdoor audiences across the UK each Easter, they are also unique spaces of community, skill-sharing, mentoring and investing in the lives of volunteers across all sections of society. They are more than a one-off performance and the impact spreads across the whole community for many months.

 

Where can I find more help with fundraising?

If you want more help with fundraising, we have plenty more tips and advice on our website here.

We have recorded sessions from previous Passion Trust Conferences including sessions looking at Finance & Fundraising, Administration and Practical Considerations, and Q&A sessions. You can see more information and watch short helpful videos on our website here.

You can also find lots of helpful tips and advice at The Benefact Trust here or click on the image below.

three bullet points with rows of text and images in blue bubbles with white icons for help with fundraising

 

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