Serving the Church, Reaching the World
The church family of St Mary's and St Peter's have a responsibility to the local community and also to the wider Christian Church. The Great Commission of Jesus, spoken to his followers before His Ascension, was to go into all the world and make disciples and this we seek to do by supporting mission outreach in three areas - locally, nationally and abroad.
Locally
St Mary’s Church, Wargrave have partnered with the local Henley-based Debt Centre “Christians Against Poverty” charity to extend support for anyone locally in financial distress. There is no requirement to be a Christian to take up any of their services, which are free to all users. The only restriction is that you live within Wargrave , Henley or outlying areas with a postcode of RG10 or RG9.
Debbie Bruwer, Debt Centre Manager, explained the charity’s confidential services to St Mary’s congregation on 16th March:
1) Assist people in debt to renegotiate their debts to be more affordable, or in some cases, support Debt Relief Orders. We don’t pay off the debt, but by restructuring finances, a sense of hope and self-respect can be achieved.
2) Run courses to provide invaluable assistance in personal budgeting, self-organisation skills and well-being
3) Operate a Job Club to assist getting into work, with CV support, interviewing skills and work placements
Update July: Following our outreach in March, the first contacts with Yeldall Manor Christian rehabilitation centre in Wargrave is bearing fruit, with 4 residents now taking part in the Job Club, helping prepare them for and to find work.
In addition, residents have requested help with our Debt Counselling programme, where we will be scheduling appointments from September onwards. See newsletter for more information.
About CAP
The “Christians Against Poverty” Charity offers free support to residents, regardless of faith or none, because we want to help our neighbours. If you would like to apply for any service, please initially email , CAP Henley Centre Manager, or free phone 08003280006 to get more information and help. Quote from an anonymous but real client “The Debt Centre has been absolutely amazing, calm and supportive. They take away the stress and make things more factual”.
Henley on Thames Churches Debt Centre is a registered charity and has obtained HMRC approval to offer Gift Aid on any donations. (Charity No: 1199558). Please contact local Trustee 07768610213 if you would like to offer any support / financial assistance.
Yeldall Manor is a Christian rehabilitation centre working with residents recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. A number of church members are involved, support their meetings and receive regular prayer updates. Visit their Events page for information on ways to support their work.
Their Open Day is a great way to find out what they are about. It happens on a Saturday in July every year, and entry is free. There is always a large number of stalls and tents (including one for cream teas and strawberries). Several of them are run by members of our church. People from many local churches support the day and many aspects of their work.
Another way to get involved is to turn up at their Open Prayer Meetings, which take place at 8 pm on the first Monday of every month. Residents are invited to share their prayer needs with supporters and local church folk.
Linda and Shaun Carradine would be pleased to provide you with more information about any aspect of Yeldall Manor.
FAITH is a local charity formed of a group of Reading churches which are actively involved in caring for the hungry and homeless - You will see Readifood collection boxes at all supermarkets, and the churches involved provide overnight hostel facilities as part of their outreach.
If you are able to help, please get in touch with [hidden] on 0118 3754137 or
Nationally
St Mary's has had a close link with the London City Mission for many years and some members have visited Christian Centres and churches where their missionaries are based. Groups come out to Wargrave for day visits - a highlight for them and also for us as we learn much from meeting these faithful Christians working in really tough situations!
Contact Haydn Selwyn-Jones for further information.
Internationally
St Mary's has strong links with David Kereto who works with the Maasai Evangelistic Association, and some of the young people from the church (Nikki, Tim & Rachel) are all currently working in specific mission situations overseas. Please ask if you would like to receive their letters.
For over 30 years, much of our international support has been channelled through Tearfund, a relief Agency that works through local Christian churches and partners throughout the world. Money donated goes directly to where it is needed for specific projects, or to their Disaster Relief Fund. We have raised money for them at many events, including Brass on the Grass and the Big Quiz. We have also sold their Christmas cards for many years. Charlotte Wyatt, a member of our church, now works for Tearfund.
For further information, contact Mike Buckland (events), Julia Freeman (cards) or Charlotte for anything else.
Fairtrade
What is Fairtrade? What does it mean to St Mary's?
St Mary's has been a Fairtrade Church since 1994. This means we:
- use Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar
- use fairly traded products whenever possible e.g. wine, chocolate
- sell goods from Traidcraft and the Meaningful Chocolate Company
- promote Fairtrade Fortnight
Jesus said: 'So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you' (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31)
Fairtrade guarantees a fair wage, decent working conditions and terms of trade for suppliers and their workers, the means for them to educate their children, and local sustainability, for example through eco-friendly farming.
You can buy Fairtrade groceries at all supermarkets, the True Food Co-Op in Emmer Green (a zero waste shop - great for avoiding plastic) and the Reading International Solidarity Centre in Reading.
Here's a simple guideline: buy local, think of the planet and buy ethically traded goods. 2 out of 3 is usually possible whenever you shop.
Our Fairtrade representative is Mike Buckland.
Our charity support policy
Church Mission Funds are allocated regularly by the PCC. Please direct all enquiries about our charity support policy and away giving to Sue Witney.
To make sure we keep updated and to promote interest, speakers are invited to speak at St Mary's or at informal meetings in Wargrave from time to time.
Enquiries specific to one of the charities should be directed to the contacts mentioned above.
