Diocese steps out for Christian Aid

Churches across the diocese and the UK and Ireland again gave generously of their time and money for Christian Aid Week in May.

From a sponsored walk in Henley-on-Thames to speed dating at Oxford Brookes University, from young people in Woodley auctioning promises to concerts in Weston Turville and Cuddington, church-goers came up with many imaginative events in addition to their commitment to the traditional house-to-house collection.

Early indications are that Christian Aid Week was once again very successful, with the diocese on track to beat the £500,000 raised last year towards the national total of £14.8million.

Jenny Ayres, Oxford Area Unit Manager for Christian Aid sent this message to the Diocese, ‘The time given by Anglicans in communities across the diocese is essential for the success of the house-to-house collection in Christian Aid Week. This year you have again raised thousands of pounds from households in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, which will be put to good use in poor communities across the world. On their behalf, thank you for your energy and commitment.’

Christian Aid Week is over for another year, but there are still opportunities to make a difference to the poorest people in the world. Did you wear a white band last year?  Or send a postcard, or go to Edinburgh?  Jenny Dawkins from Christian Aid’s campaigns team said, ‘Your campaigning achieved a remarkable change.  For the first time the UK government admitted that forcing poor countries to open up their markets was wrong. But the UK treasury still pays two global bullies – the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund - to do just that.  This is wrong. We need to show them that we’ve not gone away.  We won’t let trade justice drop: the beat goes on in 2006.’

On 8 July Christian Aid Trade Justice campaigners will be breaking a record at a venue near you! They aim to assemble to world’s largest simultaneous percussion orchestra by arranging for people to drum the same rhythm at 12 noon all over the UK. This action will also be a drumming petition, showing politicians that campaigners want to drum home the message of Trade Justice.

The 8 July events also serve to drum up support for the climax on 14 September. Before UK representatives head to crucial international meetings, campaigners will gather in London to take the message straight to the heart of power.  

Call on 020 7523 2225 for a guide giving you all the info you need for July and September, or visit www.pressureworks.org/dosomething.