St. Paul’s Church, Barton, Newport, Isle of Wight

HELPING OTHERS

As part of the life of St. Paul’s we undertake the Biblical principal of tithing which is giving one tenth of your income to God.  Each year 10% of the church income is passed on to others, either within the Christian community or elsewhere.  The congregation are asked to submit nominations for organisations or projects that would be suitable and these are discussed and prayerfully selected.  With the income from 2007 we have been able to help support the following during 2008:

CLEM

(La Comunidad de Libertad y Esperanza de la Mujer)

CLEM is the Community of Hope and Freedom for Women in Bolivia.  It is a Christian ecumenical women's development project run by women, for women and the communities in which they live, with the enduring commitment of creating a more just society for women, for men and their families.

In July 1995, a group of very poor Methodist women decided that they needed to do more than talk about improving the condition of their lives. They enjoyed their weekly women's fellowship meeting, but there was an unfulfilled desire. Simply praying for change would not make change a reality. They began to dream of making the impossible possible - to find a physical "space" in which they, together with other women friends and neighbours from their barrios (the urban suburbs in Montero) could explore practical ways to challenge and transform the fiercely machista norms and mores that dominated and controlled their lives in Bolivia.

In response to information about Empowerment Grants for Women from the Women's Network of the Methodist Church, CLEM received a one-off donation of £2,500, a huge sum in light of the available earning power of a poor unskilled woman (less than £1 a day if she is lucky). They contacted a builder, who refurbished a dilapidated hut leant to the group by the local Methodist Church and created their precious "Woman's space". They began to run a photocopying service. By 1997, CLEM had begun to catch the Spirit of Change and produced some of the first shoulder bags from Bolivian aguayo cloth to sell in Britain. The Methodist Women's Network acted as a network through which some of these goods could be distributed. Now, a Medical Centre is built on land that CLEM has bought. Other grants have come in and are helping the women of CLEM to achieve their dreams.

The women of CLEM are still producing and selling their goods made from aguayo cloth. These range from £2 to £40. Specialist items are also made to order.

Michele and Hannah from St. Paul’s have not only been involved in selling the wonderful goods that these ladies craft and have recently both been to Bolivia to meet them in and assist with the work and mission there

VISIT THE BOLIVIA GALLERY TO SEE PICTURES OF THE 2006 VISIT

CMJ - CMJ (The Church’s Ministry among Jewish people)

An organisation founded in 1809 to explain the Christian Gospel among Jews and highlight God’s commitment to them as a people.

www.cmj.org.uk

CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

In the UK we currently have significant personal freedom that allows us to follow the teaching of Jesus and embrace the Christian faith.  In other places around the world others are not so fortunate and often suffer appallingly for their faith in Christ.  CSW seeks to bring this situation to a wider audience and offer help and support of their human rights wherever possible.

www.csw.org.uk

Barnabas Fund

An Organisation that assists persecuted Christian minorities by prayer and practical support.

www.barnabasfund.org

CFI – Christian Friends Of Israel

CHRISTIAN ...

A non-denominational Christian organization, seeking to lift up the name of Jesus and to bless His Jewish brethren and share the message of His love both for Israel and the Church.

FRIENDS ...

A true friend is faithful in all circumstances. As Jews in the past have suffered great persecution in the name of Christ, they seek to show them real friendship and love in His name.

of ISRAEL

Israel means the Jewish people, both inside the nation and in the Diaspora throughout the world. It also means the modern nation of Israel, which includes both Jews and Arabs, all precious to God.

In summary - Christians who love Israel and its peoples and believe that God has a special place for them in His Kingdom purposes before the return of Messiah.

www.cfi.org.uk

Wheels for the world

Imagine you have lived in one room for many years, unable to go outside.  Think of a husband pushing his wife down a rutted road in a wheelbarrow.  Picture a man who needs to walk on hands and feet with flip-flops on his hands to protect them.  Consider a 10 year-old boy who has never run or stood unaided, dependent on his parents to carry him everywhere.

Wheels for the World is the flagship programme of “Through the Roof”, which restores and distributes previously used wheelchairs or other mobility aids to hundreds of people in Africa and eastern Europe - allowing them a freedom of movement they could only dream about and demonstrating the love of God in a practical way.  Sue from St. Paul’s has travelled with the charity to Albania , Jordan and more recently the Ukraine .

The contact at St. Paul's is Sue who in 2006 visited Tanzania with the organisation.

www.throughtheroof.org/Wheels_for_the_World.htm

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Page last updated 26.02.08