churches together in Southwell

World Development Group
including Christian Aid Committee

Put People First

We are asked by Aid Organizations to keep up the pressure on government to:

• remove the burden of debt which hits hardest, the world's poorest
• remember the Millennium Development Goals
• reduce Global Warming

Added to these 3 Rs, we are asked also to pray for justice in international trading. Please can you help with your prayers and supportive action on the following three dates:

1. Christian Aid Week May 10th–16th – encouraging members of your congregation to sign lobby/prayer cards for the major International Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen on December 4th.
2. In July, the G8 are meeting in Italy (prayers, please), possible online lobby
3. MICAH Sunday, October 18th, when there will be a Global Challenge to Stand Up and Speak Out against world poverty.

There was a real feeling in Southwell of Putting People First during Fair Trade Fortnight, with the event in the school and the lunch, and a wonderful response from churches, the Town, schools and the college to all our activities. Please join us to help ‘keep up the momentum’!

Kate Sartain   Val McCartney   Lesley McKenzie   Ian Baird-Smith   Pat Jamie

New Treasurer

Southwell Churches Together World Development Group Christian Aid committee wish to announce that their new treasurer is Nick Baker (see Group contacts panel).

May I take this opportunity to remind churches that gift aid envelopes are available from Christian Aid for Christian Aid emergency appeals and other collections and that these can be readily obtained through Nick Baker. Such collections can be sent easily to Christian Aid through Nick Baker.

Kate Sartain

The group meets three or four times each year, and aims to have representatives from all the church groups in the town. It has an overview of development issues; it liaises with the following groups and has some joint membership:

• Jubilee Debt/Trade Justice
• Fair Trade Town Initiative (this is an initiative of the town, but supported by the churches)

In addition to organizing Christian Aid Week, a Commissioning Service, and a Hunger Lunch, the group or sub-groups take responsibility for:

Lent Breakfasts 8.30–9.45 am

three, followed by led meditation and reflection

Mission Breakfasts 8.30–9.45 am

five per year, rotating around the churches;
an opportunity to share and support development issues

January Lectures 7.30–9.00 pm

three on subjects relating to World Development Group issues

It is an open, inclusive, and ecumenical group. We seek to encourage and sustain churches to engage in key development issues. We believe that there is strength in working together, and in so doing provide an ecumenical witness in the town. Anyone is welcome to attend any of the activities that are organized, and we actively seek new members to join the steering committee.