Reaching out
Here we focus on the world outside our church building, beyond our immediate community
‘Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance,
for truth stumbles in the public square’ (Isaiah 59:14)
‘What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if you say you have faith but do not have works?
Can faith save you?’ (James 2:14)
Our friends and partners in the Eastern Cape,
South Africa
Holy Trinity Church sent a donation from our Legacy Fund to help the children's support work in Alice, a town in the Eastern Cape which is surrounded by many outlying villages. This provided toilets, swings, and musical instruments for the after-school club run by the 'Isibindi' projects for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Recently the government of South Africa decided that all children should have access to pre-school education but delivering this will take much time and energy. But as a very significant step, the government is now taking advantage of this project to pilot pre-school education for children in Alice and her villages hopefully providing a working model that can be replicated for children all over South Africa.
As the parable of Jesus reminds us, from small seeds grow great trees!
For the vegetable gardens we have been helping to fund see partner projects.
See also Liz Horn's video about work in Ilinge on the Global Health website. Liz tells us that her video on the same website about the Health Care Train is also filmed in Ilinge.
Our Christmas Tree Festival 2009 was in aid of Isibindi projects, South Africa - including Ilinge. Heidi and Monica who help run the projects say thank you to each and all the parishioners, local organisations, and to all the people from Wimbledon who have contributed. Here is their message of hope:
EMMANUEL - God with us
When the widow wails... God is with us
When the orphan weeps… God is with us
When the hungry moan... God is with us
When the lonely yearn ... God is with us
When the wounded bleed... God is with us
When the naked tremble... God is with us
When the beggar extends a hand... God is with us
When the abused writhe... God is with us
When the raped plead... God is with us
And when we hope in mercy... God is with us
When we trust in truth... God is with us
When we act justly... God is with us
When we wait in longing...
God is with us
Green Group
Our Green Group is assessing our way of life and making suggestions. We are beginning to look at the impact we make on poorer communities in many parts of the world by our indiscriminate use of fossil fuels, and we are seeking to find ways of reducing this use. For more information see the Green Group webpage.
Links to related external sites
Christian Ecology Link - CEL is a multi-denominational UK Christian organisation for people concerned about the Environment
Operation Noah - the 'Ark in a Box' - everything you need to create a climate of justice for the poor and future generations.
Christian Aid - we believe in life before death
Traidcraft - the UK's leading fair trade organisation, fighting poverty through trade
The Traidcraft stall at Holy Trinity is a contribution from our community to trade justice. Run by a team of volunteers, the stall offers people the opportunity to make a small adjustment to their shopping habits and thereby make a significant, practical, contribution to improving the incomes and working conditions of farmers and producers in the developing world.
Normally we will open the stall after the morning service on the 3rd Sunday of every month, except August.
On 4th Sundays we are now often booked to take the stall to one of the other churches in the Team group of parishes - Holy Trinity, Christchurch, and St John's.
Look out for us too at Summer and Christmas Fairs here and at St John's.
For the list of items that we try to keep regularly available, or for any other information about Traidcraft, please ask us, or email us, Nick and Marcia Woods, via the Contacts Page
Thank you to helpers and customers alike - and happy fair traiding!
Visit the Traidcraft organisation's website
Partner Projects - our work as a church with partners beyond the parish for mission, justice and peace
Read more about our projects on the Partner Projects page
