Faith in Action – internationally
For information about UK-based orgainsations to whom we lend support, please follow this link and for local mission-inspired efforts, please follow this link.
"Open doors, Open hearts, Open minds" was adopted as our Mission Statement in 2005. It is intended both to express how we see ourselves now, as well as our aspirations for the future. Our practical outreach into the community at home and abroad seeks to express Christ's love for the world and we try always to be open to the challenge of new ways of service.
The role of our Mission and Outreach Working Group, chaired by Pat Rantisi, is to continually raise awareness of mission issues locally, nationally and internationally. Ten per cent of money received from collections, stewardship and covenant income is given for such work each year. A number of specific events and services relating to mission are organised by the Working Group, which maintains the Mission notice board in the outer vestibule as well as Prayer and Other Information folders in church. Once a year the Working Group members put on a mission supper with a speaker to which everyone is welcome.
Pictured above right is Mark, our Vicar, with four young delegates and their Bishop from Ipoh, West Malaysia, during an exchange visit made between dioceses.
The following international organisations are those to whom we give financial and/or practical support and are listed in alphabetical order:
ACET
Aids Care Education and Training Ltd is a charity at the forefront of seeking ways to prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa.Action Aid
Inspired by the words of Jesus that whatever we do for the least important people we do for Him, Actionaid was started by a Christian business man called Cecil Jackson Cole in 1972. Working in developing countries to support the poorest, its aim is to enable people to help themselves and its motto is "Giving people choices". Local people and local organisations are helped to tackle basic needs, such as health, agriculture, education and employment, especially small businesses. Important aspects of the work include credit unions, empowering women and advising people on how to campaign for their basic rights. For a summary of a graphic first-hand 2008 talk given by Roger Yates on his return from Kenya, please follow this link.Amnesty International
Every month a letter is written in support of a "prisoner/prisoners of conscience" and is signed by most of the congregation. Details of prisoners are obtained either from the Amnesty Journal or the Amnesty International website. In addition to this, every year from November until the end of January many church members take part in Amnesty's Greetings Card Campaign. This involves sending greetings cards or picture postcards to prisoners throughout the world.Bible Lands Society
Bible Lands Society is bringing Christ's Compassion to the Needy in the Lands of the Bible.Bible Society.
The Bible Society is an advocate for the Bible in contemporary cultures, resourcing and influencing those who shape society and making the Bible heard by all.Christian Aid
A Frantic Theatre
entertainment
and supper
in aid of
Christian Aid 2006
Christian
Aid aims
to support overseas aid projects which enable people to help themselves.
St Chad's plays an active role in supporting the annual Christian Aid Appeal
in May and in encouraging other events to support this major charity.
Church Army.
The Church Army is linked to the Church of England but works outside church buildings and throughout the world to enable people to come to a living faith in Jesus Christ.Church Mission Society
Thank you for keeping me posted - though I don't have a good enough internet link to get onto your website usually, and even struggle doing emails sometimes. I am very well though, and enjoying the teaching at St Michael's Secondary school and also at the Mission Centre. The students at the latter are doing exams this week at the end of their three month course, and will graduate next Tuesday (18th August 2009). Some of them hope to work as catechists/evangelists in the new churches in Kilolo area. I hope the studies have helped all of them to a fuller understanding of the Bible and life issues. Two of the present group of nine students were struggling even to read when they arrived. They have developed that skill, and wrote some good answers on their exam papers.
At the Secondary School I continue to teach Religious Education at all levels, plus 'O' level Bible Knowledge. Please pray that the students will develop in all the areas; academic, emotional, spiritual and social, during their four years at the school.
If any of you would like regular news, I try to keep my blogsite updated approximately once every two weeks. The address is; http://annelapage.blogspot.com
Best wishes and thank you for your prayers, Anne – August 2009
There are many Church Mission Society projects worldwide, supporting and encouraging indigenous churches and community projects. We pray especially for our Mission partner, Anne Lapage
(pictured left) who is working in Tanzania, teaching Church teachers in a training centre, and religious education in a secondary school in Kilolo. It was good to welcome Anne to our church for her first visit in January 2008.Best wishes and thank you for your prayers, Anne – August 2009
Supporting justice