MISSION LINKS

Introduction

The aim of Mission Links is to be in a position to help with development or hardship at home and abroad. To be able to listen and understand. To enable people to reach out to people at any time and be prepared to fight injustice.

At St Andrew and St Bartholomew we consider Mission to be a very important part of our Church life. To this end Mission Links became part of the Church Management Committee formed in January 2003. Jane Whittaker leads Mission Links and, with the help of a small group of people, considers where and how organisations or agencies can be helped.

We are committed to working for and in the service of Jesus Christ. To look after committed Christians enabling them to develop their skills to form a corporate ministry to go out and spread the gospel to those who have yet to believe. The agencies and organisations we propose to support this year are listed above.

Many requests for help are received and all are considered but it is not possible to help everyone. It is important to listen and learn about world events whether at home or abroad and to try and make informed decisions and pray that our offering will help make a difference.

We try to give support locally and to the Home Mission and World Agencies. We offer support to our link with St Andrew’s Church Embu, Kenya. We try to respond to emergency appeals as an when they arise.

Funding of Mission Branch comes from both the tithing of the PCC's income and the Mission Shop, Ripples.  We also hold other fund raising events during the course of the year.

National/Local Mission

Teens in Crisis

A professional counselling agency to work in schools helping young people through difficult times and situations. This involves a counsellor being in school on a regular basis once a week helping pupils come to terms with bereavement, family break-up and school phobia.

The Family Haven

Is a day care centre where homeless families, victims of domestic violence and pre school children with special needs are given practical and emotional support. The Haven provides facilities that we take for granted:-
A kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and laundry, the children benefit from a secure garden and excellent registered nursery.
For some families just the provision of a hot mid-day meal or the availability of second-hand clothing make a real difference to their quality of life.

GEAR

GEAR stands for Gloucester Emergency Accommodation Resource. The night shelter exists to provide emergency accommodation for street homeless people by the provision of a safe environment. The day centre provides shelter, help and advice. The Heath Clinic provides a GP led medical service for the homeless.

Listening Post

Is a counselling service for the people of Gloucestershire available to all people over the age of 18 irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic origin. Sharing concerns can help when a person is unable to resolve difficulties on their own.
There is access to Listening Post throughout the county.

The Children’s Society

Is a Christian child-centred, social justice organisation with an unconditional belief in the child. Work is done with children and young people who have been pushed to the edges of society, those whose needs are not met by government or other agencies. The Children’s Society chooses to work with these children in order to provide the services and support they need and to change the systems that let them down.

Church Army

Has been pioneering evangelism for over 100 years serving the Anglican Communion in the UK and Ireland. They train, employ and deploy evangelists to serve in the Church at home giving vision, support and encouragement to local churches, developing local strategies, training and resourcing local churches for outreach and identifying individuals in local churches with evangelistic gifts and potential. Working with all aspects of life within the community. We are supporting Kathy Green, who works with older people in Manor parish, one of the more deprived areas of Sheffield.

CMS

The Church Mission Society - a Worldwide commitment to the good news of Jesus Christ.
Mission Ministry: supporting over 1400 front line mission workers. Mission Movement: sending people out to live and tell about God. Mission Resources: supporting and extending the work of world mission. Mission Education: Equipping God’s people for mission at home and abroad.

Patrick Mukholi - Many will remember meeting Patrick, his wife Helen and son Jonathan at previous house parties at Hothorpe Hall or when he has preached at St Andrew's. Patrick works for the Church Missionary Society (CMS), primarily with youth, in Blackbird Leys, a deprived area of Oxford. He has been studying hard on a "Ministry to an Urban World" course which will benefit his work. Jonathan has finished his GCSE studies and is now studying for a National Diploma in Graphic Design.

Overseas Mission

Highway Projects

Projects have been set up in response to invitations from the Middle East to involve British Christians in practical mission work. The type of projects undertaken include working in a care centre for mentally and physically handicapped Arab children, young people and adults. There is an on going need for practical and caring skills. Other projects include running a holiday club for children based in St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem and working with the profoundly deaf. Volunteers have to be 18 years old and able to raise some of their own costs.

The Highway Projects are just a drop in the ocean , but gives heart to those who feel demoralised and forgotten by the Christian World.

Our donation to World Vision paid for 4 day trips for 18 Cambodian children, birth certificates for 100 children in Bolivia, 2,000 soya milkshakes for expectant/ nursing mothers and to train a leader in Albania about HIV prevention.

Dan Browne reports that there have been three recent developments; they have bought a much needed vehicle, have set up a clinic and are running a women's literacy programme. Dan is regularly meeting and leading groups. Hefyn Jones has recently raised over £500.00 for ASET from church members sponsoring him on the Great South Run.

Tearfund

This year, we are contributing to Tearfund's Water and Sanitation Projects to help poor communities guard against disease and provide access to clean water and toilet facilities, raising hygiene and health awareness.

A Rocha

A Rocha is a Christian nature conservation organisation which is supported by Rob and Petra Crofton. They were given a donation to the charity at their Desert Island Discs evening earlier in the year.

World Parish Links

St Andrew's, Embu

Embu is our link parish in Kenya. In 2004 a group from Embu stayed in Churchdown and joined in our centenary celebrations. In August 2006, a group of seven, including Roy and Kathy Bourne, Keith and Ali White and Rachel Flynn travelled to Embu for two weeks to carry out various projects and to strengthen links between the churches. The Mission Links committee, through Jim and Freda Caveen, maintain contact with Archdeacon Jane and are able to respond to particular requests for help. We will be sending money to feed the street children and to provide school uniforms.