Christian Aid Week 2015

This year’s Christian Aid Week focused on discrimination against women. Archbishop Justin Welby describes this as one of the greatest injustices of all times. Half the world’s population are women, yet they comprise the majority of those living in poverty today. Despite the fact that women do the majority of the world’s agricultural work, less than 20% of landholders globally are women. Around the world, women are paid less than men – in most countries, women earn on average only 60-75% of men’s wages. At every level, from the household to the global stage, women are poorer, disadvantaged, more vulnerable.
 

Around the Anglican Communion, churches are responding to God’s call to end oppression and suffering by working to lift women out of poverty and situations of abuse or injustice. Throughout the Communion the Mother’s Union works tirelessly on promoting women’s literacy, economic development and leadership roles, bringing strength and dignity to women, and helping restore gender relationships to one of equality. The Archbishop asked us this year to pray, act and give for our global neighbour this Christian Aid Week – for a world that looks more like God’s kingdom.

St Matthew’s Community and Mission Group held their well established coffee morning at our Christian Aid co-ordinators’ house and cooked breakfast in the parish centre – with an added cake sale. At the cooked breakfast, Sarah Oughton gave a brief insight into the reason Christian Aid came about and the work that it does. Along with donations through the well known red envelope the total amount raised this year was £888.31, which with gift aid added will be over £900.

Thanks to everyone for their contribution by attending the events, donating prizes for the raffle and tombola and by giving their donations in the envelopes. This year a part of the money donated will be going to the Nepal Earthquake Fund; Christian Aid has worked tirelessly there to reach more than 50,000 people with ongoing supplies in the worst affected areas of Gorkha and Kathmandu Valley. Alongside medical care and first aid supplies they have distributed blankets, tarpaulin, food and water to communities struggling to rebuild their lives.