St John the Evangelist

 

Charitable giving

For a number of years we have given a modest amount of money to local and diocesan charities.  In 2005 a total of £1,000 was given in equal parts to:

  • Chichester Diocesan Association for Family Support Work
  • Kenward Trust
  • Society of Martha and Mary

  • St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy

  • St Patrick’s Trust

- ask for more details of their aims.  The PCC has yet to discuss how to support these or other local charities in 2006.

 

Earlier this year the PCC decided that we should increase our charitable giving in line with the biblical principles of tything, and a further £2,000 of our wealth was earmarked for supporting carefully chosen charities working with underprivileged and persecuted people abroad.

After some careful investigation the PCC has decided to give £500 to each of the following four charities:

  • The Toy Box Charity
  • St George’s Church, Baghdad
  • The Restored Lives Programme
  • The Friends of ACET Uganda

        

This leaflet gives details of these charities, and hopefully will enable you to understand why we have chosen them.  If you would like to know more and have internet access, follow the links given on the back page.  We intend to build relationships with these organisations and will keep you informed of news and developments as they are received.

Toy Box Charity

“Let the children live”.  This is a Christian charity started in 1992.  It operates in Latin America, mainly Guatemala, Costa Rica and Bolivia.  Their aim is to rehabilitate the many street kids.  Slowly after gaining their trust this charity works towards moving these children off the streets into homes, and eventually if possible placing them with new families.

 

World in Need

This charity works all over the world, but we were especially touched by the plight of people in Afghanistan.  Due to terrible poverty, young children labour long hours weaving carpets.  Their working environment is hostile and many become ill or die as a result.  “World in Need” strives to educate and improve the quality of life of disadvantaged people wherever they live.

St George’s Church, Baghdad

As you can imagine it is not easy for Christians in a Moslem country - especially in a country with as many problems as Iraq.  This church is supported through Coventry Cathedral.  They have a congregation of 300, but no full time rector, no pews, plumbing, and no money for repairs.  Their roof was damaged in 2003 by rocket fire!

The Church Times of July 21st reports: “The entire lay leadership team of St George's, the Anglican church in Baghdad, are believed to have been killed while returning from a conference in Jordan”.

The Friends of ACET Uganda

We have decided that this will be the charity sponsored by our Sunday school children for the next year, and hopefully the school will also become involved.  We will be helping to support a junior school in Nakulabye. 

 

Most of these children are orphans due to AIDS.  Many will go on to develop it themselves.  They are given a bowl of porridge every morning, and wear purple T’ shirt and shorts as uniform.  There are no proper classrooms and little equipment, but they are being given a good education.

 

 

Goodbye to the Goats

The Sunday School children have raised £400 over the last year for the Christian Aid Goat charity.  The PCC topped this up with a further £300, so we managed to buy a total of 40 Goats.

 Well done children, and every one who contributed - especially those of you that made delicious biscuits for the children to sell.

 

 

Web site links for new charities:

 The Toy Box Charity:

www.toyboxcharity.org.uk

 St George’s Church Baghdad:

www.stchcathedral.com.bh/st-georges/appeal.htm

 Restored Lives Programme:

www.winint.org

 ACET Uganda:

www.acet-international.org/kampala.htm