Monthly Message (May 2008) - Working Together

Dear Friends,

We all know that it’s the simple things in life that matter so much. Food on the table, a safe place to rest, health and strength, friends and encouragement … and most of us enjoy these things abundantly and recognise how fortunate we are that even when one of them falters there are ways in which we can find help.

May brings us again to Christian Aid Week … this year from the 11th until the 17th. And it strikes me that while Christian Aid addresses the big issues of this complex and ailing world … it does so by remembering and working away at the precious simple things that can change the hardship of survival into life that is fuller and richer. Finding ways of helping people to put food on the table, to build safer communities, provide education, health care, land and water management …. telling stories and linking of lives across the world …. Are all small parts of changing the big picture.

“In Ghana they say, ‘One stick can be easily broken. But many, bound together, are strong.’” …. So begins a story among the Christian Aid week resources this year. And then the particular story unfolds, … “against all the odds, Idrissu has overcome poverty and physical disability to become a teacher. With support and training from Christian Aid partner SEND, and with incredible determination, he has also taught himself sign language and now works alongside others with disabilities to access debt relief money. By joining together, Idrissu’s community has gained free access to healthcare and the resource centre to which they were entitled.” … tenacity bound with the spirit of community … supported by Christian Aid fundraisers and campaigners and partner organisations …. Sees lives transformed through a series of actions held together by bonds of faith and love.

Each year, as May dawns, I know that Christian Aid will put us in touch again with some of the most difficult stories and frustrations of living in a deeply unfair world. It always seems that as the many are trapped in poverty … so the few, among whom I count myself, are equally trapped in the wealthier consuming world. And yet Christian Aid invites us to take part with a real shout of joy! Breaking the mould of this world that finds it so hard to change things …. And trusting that there is God given energy for change and that it is possible to do what is right and just and life-giving in this world.

That change starts with the little things … so as people knock doors and collect red envelopes here in May, they are part of helping the poor to put food on the table of the hungry … as you give pennies and pounds in your envelope you are making clean water available, good health more likely, education a reality and the tools that can transform lives gifts into the hands of those who receive them with determination and hope. As you pray … you’ll find among the poor your brothers and sisters, and the Kingdom of God will be a little closer.

‘One stick can be easily broken. But many, bound together, are strong.» This Christian Aid week …. Join in …. Tell people about it …. Pray for it …. and know that by attention to these small things the big picture is changing.

Yours,

Tracey.

* Reminder * …. On Sunday May 11th at 6.30pm. Trinity-Henleaze URC will host the Churches Together in the Westbury Area United Service for Christian Aid Week. Please come along, support this service, meet some of the wide community of Christians in our local community …. and together we’ll worship the God who changes lives!