Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

Mission giving at St. Andrew's

Sunday 8 June 2008

At its meeting on 12 March, the PCC decided on our mission giving for 2008. We are giving £500 each to three charities – one international, one national and one local. 

Kids for Kids was set up in 2001 to help villagers in Darfur, and now brings direct help to more than 164,000 people. Many have fled from the villages in recent years to live in camps, but there are still more than 3 million people trying to maintain their lives in small villages all over Darfur. In some areas, Kids for Kids is the only charity able to work. They provide donkeys, goats, handpumps, tree seedlings, and training for midwives and para-vets. Most important, they are training the local communities to be able to run the projects themselves – thus strengthening the villages, enabling families to stay in their homes and making it possible for those who have left to come back home.

The excellence of the work done by Kids for Kids has been widely recognised: for example, it was Highly Commended in the prestigious International Aid & Development section of the Charity Awards 2007 for effectiveness, management, leadership and achievement.

The Church Urban Fund supports social action in the poorest areas of England. It provides funding and practical advice for local organisations dealing with the day-to-day effects of poverty where they live. These organisations aim to make a real difference in the lives of those around them, helping people in need to find their feet and regain their independence. By using the Church of England's diocesan and parish structure, CUF has access to knowledge about local conditions, problems and resources.

Open Door was founded in 1996 to help the homeless in Taunton Deane, and at least 30 clients now visit the Wood Street centre each day for help in sustaining their lives.  A new day centre is now planned, in the Old Memorial School in Mary Street, Taunton.  This means that Open Door will continue to offer food and respite, amongst other facilities such as personal washing, laundry and new clothes.  A more comprehensive service will be available such as hot meals, life skills, healthcare and individual support in privacy. 

Such an exciting new venture obviously costs a lot of money, and Open Door is appealing for £250,000 to convert a wonderful new building.  They are calling it the NEW DOOR APPEAL – individuals can sponsor a chosen door: cupboard door £5, toilet door £10, internal door £20, glass door £50, external door £100, patio doors £500.  If anyone would like to contribute, leaflets and envelopes are available in the Narthex.

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