Dear Friends
 

I hope you will have some leisure time over the next two months - time to take a break from work and to spend time with friends and family and in relaxation. The pressures of world poverty and climate change are constant of course, and seemingly ever more urgent, but we can feel hopeful in the light of the results already gleaned from the IF campaign and from the momentum and inspiration achieved during Big Green Week in Bristol. I hope you will have the time to process any ideas you have gained, and reflect how you can act to make a difference. 

 

 

 

1. Syria - As the number of people fleeing the country increases, pray for all those who are living as refugees, and the children who are homesick and afraid. Pray for a diplomatic solution rather than an escalation of arms and violence.

 

2. IF campaign - give thanks that, mostly due to campaigner pressure, the G8 have pledged to take action on tax avoidance. Pray that the increased transparency and sharing of information will start to bring on the tax that is needed to fund essential services in many countries. Pray that the campaign will continue to impact for good, and that governments will take action on these pledges.

 

3. India Floods - Pray for the people in the Uttarakhand Province, many of whom have lost their homes, loved ones or remain stranded nearly 2 weeks after the flooding began. Pray that the rescue teams can reach all survivors and that there will be sufficient support and resources to help people rebuild their lives.

 

 

1. Your Call - DCR's illegal trade in the mineral coltan, used in all mobile phones, laptops etc has caused misery for millions, especially women. Find out more about how gangs control the mining of this mineral and join Woman to Woman's campaign to clean up the trade in coltan. Your young people's groups may be interested in finding out more too. 

http://www.micahchallenge.org.uk/engage/w2w/647-your-call

 

2. Dine with a Difference

Fairtrade is not usually about fundraising, but many more farmers need help to be able to reach the Fairtrade certification standards and therefore guarantee their livelihoods. The Fairtrade Foundation is asking us to hold dinner parties using Fairtrade ingredients - to increase awareness of the many different Fairtrade foods available, and to raise money to help more farmers get onto the ladder. There are recipes and resources here: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/donate/dine_with_a_difference_the_difference.aspx

Don't forget to use Zaytoun Palestinian Fairtrade olive oil to cook with! Stockists here: http://www.zaytoun.org/distribution/retail/

 

3. Be part of Bristol European Green Capital 2015

Following the exciting news that Bristol has been named European Green Capital for 2015, how will this impact on you as a Christian and on your church? Are we, as custodians of God's creation, taking a lead in protecting the environment? You can pledge support for Bristol Green Capital http://bristolgreencapital.org/contact/pledge/ and also pledge to take action following Big Green Week - what changes can you make to impact on the future of our planet? http://biggreenweek.com/do-something/

 

 

1. 'Warm, Affordable and Green', Tuesday 2nd July, St. Stephen’s Church, High Street, Exeter,10am to 4pm

This free conference on heating churches in the South West, organised by the SW Dioceses ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ Group, will  inform local churches in the region on the current opportunities for heating their buildings using a variety of efficient and sustainable technologies and fuels. Speakers include Matt Fulford from Sustain, Ruth Knight and Kate Symonds from the Archbishop’s Council and John Westerham from Ardenham Energy. For bookings please contact Joan Harris on 01392 294940 or joanie a_t exeter d_o_t anglican d_o_t org

2. Going Deeper - Festival of Life, 31st August Colston Hall, 12 - 8pm

Together for Bristol bring you a showcase of exhibitions, stalls, craft activities, seminars, performances to celebrate the life of the churches in greater Bristol. The day ends with a Celebration service at 6pm with the renewal Choir and others.

Tickets £5 from http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/2013/8/31

 

 

As the summer is a quieter time, please use the time to take actions and pray for our world. I hope you will be refreshed and renewed during these months, and take some time to take action for the world's poor, knowing it is God's calling and pleasing to Him.

'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink....whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did it for me' (Matt 25: 35-40)

 

 

Yours in Christ

 

Jenny