Fairtrade: It’s up to you!

The campaign to turn Oxford into a Fairtrade Diocese is winning huge support in parishes and deaneries.

In addition to the three deaneries – Mursley, Oxford and Reading – that brought the campaign to diocesan synod, four more (Amersham, Bracknell, Wallingford and Wantage) have now passed motions committing themselves to using Fairtrade tea and coffee at synod meetings and to encouraging the use of Fairtrade products in parishes.

‘I’m very pleased that the deanery have taken this on board,’ said the Revd Edwin Clements, Area Dean of Wallingford.

‘We’re encouraging parishes to serve only Fairtrade tea and coffee after their services and we’re also hoping that some will set up a Fairtrade stall. We’re also hoping that people will buy Fairtrade goods for themselves, for their personal use.’ Equally impressive is the support from parishes – who have a critical role to play. In order for the diocese to achieve Fairtrade Diocese status, 60% of all churches need to choose to become Fairtrade churches. To become a Fairtrade church, the PCC passes a resolution agreeing to a) use only Fairtrade tea and coffee at meetings for which the church is responsible; b) work towards using other Fairtrade products where possible and appropriate; c) promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and as opportunities arise during the year.

Parish pledge forms, which allow a church to ‘sign on’ and be counted towards the diocesan total were handed out at many Episcopal visitations and/or through deanery synods. (If you haven’t received a form, they are available from Catherine Lemmon, BSR Administrator at 01865 208214 ; catherine.lemmon@oxford.anglican.org ) Already forms have been returned by parishes from Blackbird Leys, Caversham and Cookham to Tylers Green, Windsor and Wooburn.

For many churches, sending in the form merely confirms what they have been doing for years: some churches expressed delight that the diocese was following the lead of individual parishes! For others, like All Saints, Didcot, the initiative has been the impetus to increase involvement. ‘For ages we’ve had a Fairtrade stall in the church two Sundays a month but what this initiative has done is to crystallize our efforts,’ said the Revd. Dr. Andrew Coleby.

‘All in all’, said Revd. Jonathan Wilmot of Greyfriars in Reading, ‘I think we’ve got a growing awareness. ‘The major thing that excites me about it is the whole issue of justice for third world producers.’ Want to get involved? Or get more information? A growing network of deanery Fairtrade champions is helping parishes and deaneries get involved with the campaign. To be put in touch with your local champion, call 01865 874778 or email ccowinfo@fish.co.uk