Micah 6: 8 in the Bible says, ‘what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
And Jesus says, in Matthew 22:39, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ And this, of course, means our neighbours around the world.
In May it was Christian Aid Week. And, at the beginning of Christian Aid Week, we held a ‘Big Brekkie’ after the morning service at Bulphan. We were very grateful to those who organised this, Lynda, Lynda, Angie, Lesley and Janet and, of course, to those who came to support it.
Every year we celebrate Christian Aid Week and people give generously, but I wonder how many of us know just how diverse the work they do is.
Christian Aid work with local partners ‘to fight injustice, respond to humanitarian emergencies, campaign for change and help people claim the services and rights they are entitled to.’[i]
They work hard to end poverty and have four key areas on which they focus. These four areas are helping people to:
- claim their rights and access services such as healthcare and education.
- Ensure they are not discriminated against for any reason.
- Become more resilient to shocks and disasters such as drought, climate change and hurricanes.
- Make the most of opportunities, such as being able to sell their produce for a fair price.[ii]
They have been responding to humanitarian emergencies and disasters around the world since 1945, when their work began as a result of the need to respond to the effects of violence and conflict, providing immediate relief as well as long term support.
Since its conception in 1945, Christian Aid has worked in many conflict-affected countries and places, ‘often working directly on issues of violence and peace.’[iii]
Their brief also includes work relating to gender, power and inclusion on the basis that unequal distribution of power and unfair abuses of power are at the heart of poverty.
In addition, they have a significant focus on climate adaptation and resilience and they work with local partners and communities affected by climate crisis to help the most marginalised ‘to adapt, build resilience and reduce their vulnerability.’[iv]
Christian Aid do a great work and should you wish to make a donation towards this, there are envelopes available in church. Please could you ensure that your donation is returned by 9th June.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Take care and God bless,
Sue
[i] www.christianaid.org.uk
[ii] www.christianaid.org.uk
[iii] www.christianaid.org.uk
[iv] www.christianaid.org.uk