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Saint Mary's The Parish Church of Prittlewell
From Father Shaun Dear Friends,
This year, the beginning of Christian Aid Week falls on the Day of
Pentecost, a conjunction which rarely happens, but does this year with
Easter having been so early. "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No-one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... there were no needy persons among them." (4:32, 34) This does not mean, of course, that through their fellowship they had eliminated poverty and need overnight! But it challenges us to consider how we steward our resources and gifts as we approach Christian Aid Week: not only our money and our possessions but also our time and talents in relation to the poor of the world. Living in the light of the gift of God's Holy Spirit requires of us a response to human need and suffering. Christian Aid, of course, has for sixty years been a charity supplying aid not just to members of the Church but to any who are in need in our world. I can remember once when I lived in Sheffield during Christian Aid Week 1992 knocking on a door to collect an envelope from the occupant. I discovered it was a Muslim man who spoke to me very pleasantly but told me he would not give to Christians - he wanted to help those of his own faith. Sadly, I failed to persuade him of the truth that Christian Aid refers to those who do the helping - those to whom the aid is directed are people of all faiths and none. Supporting the work of Christian Aid is first and foremost to support PEOPLE, human beings, those who are in need, those who suffer through injustice, war, drought, failed crops, dictatorships, lack of clean water ... the list could go on and on. If we live seriously as Christians then we must accept that we are called to live for others, as Jesus Christ himself did, and as he strove to teach his disciples to do. I am fully aware in this present time of the difficulties and even dangers of house to house collections. However, they are still one of the best ways of not only raising money for the work of Christian Aid but also of raising the profile of the charity - and maybe dispelling a few myths along the way. It also shows our neighbours in the town that we take our call to discipleship seriously, and that we are concerned for those of other faiths - and none. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, wrote to all clergy in the Church of England during Lent to highlight this year's Christian Aid Week. In his letter he says: I invite you and your Church to celebrate Pentecost by making Christian Aid Week part of it. As we keep the feast of this quickening and communicating power of the Holy Spirit which brings the Church to birth, the week that follows can be a living expression of Christian Unity, personal transformation and empowerment in the Holy Spirit.., Last year, Christian Aid Week united 22,000 Churches and hundreds of thousands of individuals in ecumenical action by raising funds and awareness to challenge global poverty. The collection raises millions. Such abundance is itself an expression of many small local actions flowing together which have global consequences in making visible God's work of reconciliation and his reign of justice and peace. May the Triune God who redeems and transforms all things, equip you for this Christian Aid Week and knit all the communities of the world together to eradicate poverty and build the peace that is his will. Let us all consider deeply what our response to the issue of global poverty will be as we are invited to support this opportunity to serve Christ in the lives of others.
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