OUTREACH - HOME & AWAY

Home & Away 2008 Plan & 2007 Review

THANK YOU  everyone for your generosity and time in 2007 supporting Home & Away projects.  Our focus is local and overseas charities and organisations, which are selected from recommendations given to the team by the congregation.

We have chosen the charities and organisations that will receive our support in 2008. Prayer will once again 

be a strong feature supporting our activities this year as we feel 

‘Praying is as important as giving.’  

We look forward to your support in 2008 

The Home & Away team is

Clare Atkins                 Valerie Brandon          Ann Brodie                 

Ginny Gotla                 Thais Guerra               Theresa Hawkins       

Marilyn Golding            Melissa Were              Andrew Gairdner

Would you like to join us?  We are always looking for new people to join the team. If you would like to be involved please contact any of the team directly or by leaving a message with the church office.

PLAN For 2008

January 20th                          Bucks Fizz and nibbles –Thanks & Review of Home & Away’s projects over 2006 

February                               Bishop’s Lent Appeal

March 2nd                              Mothering Sunday – gifts to go to Welcare

March                                     Fund raising Evening – TBD

May                                       Christian Aid Collecting Week

June                                      Cash Collection -TBD

July                                        Scripture Union Books – Granard School & 

                                              St Margaret’s year 6 leavers            

October/Nov                                         Recycling Collections for Help the Aged

October                                Harvest Festival – To Send a Cow

Nov                                        Fundraising evening –TBD

Nov 9th                                  Remembrance Collection

December                             Carol Service – collection for Bethany Homes

                                              Christingle collection for Children’s Society

                                              Toy Service – toys to Welcare

The 2007 Bishops' Lent Appeal

Welcare Family social work service helping families with children in need under 8 years: Karibu Project for families affected by HIV and AIDS / Family Group Meetings - (Youth Justice) for young offenders / Family Group Meetings Project for families in crisis / Contact centre for children to meet non-resident parents. / Young Mum's group - held on Thursdays 12-3pm.

  An agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland, Christian Aid works wherever the need is greatest, irrespective of religion. It supports local organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs, as well as giving help on the ground through 16 overseas offices. www.christianaid.co.uk

The Home & Away Group are very pleased to announce that we have committed St Margaret’s to supporting USPG for the next three years with a minimum donation of £500 per year as part of our overseas giving. We are supporting the work of Ruth and Saulo de Barros in helping to build up the communities and churches in one of the least developed regions of Brazil. Between them they cover an area several times the size of Britain and have been working in the country for the last 10 years.   The USPG is an Anglican mission agency with a successful 300-year track record of enabling www.uspg.org.uk

Bible lands / Bethany Homes                                                                      Bible lands is the name of the overall charity.  We specify that funds sent be used for the Homes of Mercy in Bethany.  The Revd Deaconess Evelyn Morris took a great interest in the Four Homes of Mercy, and brought their needs to the notice of the King of Jordan. King Hussein gave the Homes land in Bethany, and now the Children's Home cares for around 30 girls and boys, many of them with illnesses needing long-term care and treatment.

Twenty-two severely mentally and physically disabled children are cared for in the Disabled Children's Home and it is a tribute to the care given by the staff that many of these very disabled children live to reach adulthood. The Home for the Aged has 60 residents, most of whom are paralysed, infirm or unwanted. Over 250 pregnant women come to the Maternity Home each year have their babies.The Four Homes of Mercy are unique in being able to unconditionally accept and embrace those that society rejects.  www.biblelands.org.uk

The Children's Society work with and for children to help them deal with life's harshest challenges and face the future with confidence. The Children's Society has always sought to ensure that whatever disadvantages a child faces they still have a real chance in life. From the origins of our work with children's homes to our social and community projects, we have always put children at the heart of what we do. This won't change.

But changing times mean changing needs. That's why in the past year we have decided to refocus our commitment and expertise where it's most needed, to help children whose needs are overlooked, neglected or ignored. Currently we are focusing on four groups: children at risk on the streets, children in trouble with the law, disabled children and young refugees.  Through our direct work with them we hope to gain the depth of experience to inform our research and campaigning. This in turn can bring about the changes we have identified as necessary for all children in the UK. www.the-childrens-society.org.uk

GRANARD SCHOOL PUTNEY  We have strong links with the school and will continue to support them through a range of activities including the Scripture Union books