Global Aware Bulletin March 2014
Fairtrade Fortnight is well underway but there is still time to get involved! Check out the link in the Actions section. This year represents a great milestone for Fairtrade, as we celebrate 20 years of the Fairtrade mark. It is worth remembering the impact that it has had. 20 years ago only 3 products had the Fairtrade mark, now that number is 4500! There is still more that can be achieved and with your help that number will continue to grow to ensure fairness throughout the world.
Prayers
1. Continuing Peace Talks in Syria
As the Geneva peace talks continue, we ask for no delays and no restrictions in allowing aid to reach people in need. The situation continues to be catastrophic and in real need of resolution. Pope Francis spoke about the situation; saying, “I would like to express my closeness in prayer and solidarity with all the victims of this conflict, with all those who suffer, especially children, and I invite you to keep alive the hope of peace.”
2. South Sudan
The violence that erupted between rival army factions in South Sudan last year has forced more than 500,000 people from their homes. Many are in urgent need of food, water, healthcare and safe places to stay. South Sudan is the world’s newest nation, but also one of the poorest. Even before the current crisis, nine out of ten people in rural areas couldn’t access drinking water.
3. Tearfund
The Tearfund website has weekly updates. Use this individually or as a group to reflect on injustice, pray with eyes wide open, and act in faith with God's blessing. Together, our prayers can transform lives. As we come together in prayer - churches, small groups and individuals - we're doing so as part of a Global Poverty Prayer Movement.
Actions
1. Fairtrade Fortnight, 24th Feb-9th March
Fairtrade Fortnight this year focusses on the unfair banana, raising the issue of supermarket price wars and the effects of low prices on farmers in the poorest countries. Please support this campaign and spread the word in your church and in social media. There are plenty of free campaign materials and you can sign and share the pledge : http://foncho.fairtrade.org.uk/
You can also find out more through the CAFOD website at http://www.cafod.org.uk/News/Campaigning-news/Fairtrade-Fortnight-2014
or the Christian Aid website at: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/whatwedo/in-focus/fairtrade-fortnight/20-years-of-the-fairtrade-mark.aspx
2. A reminder to Sign up to the Carbon Fast
Tackling climate change is an urgent challenge, as it impacts communities through severe weather, food production and flooding. Individuals and churches are being asked to commit now to the Carbon Fast in Lent 2014 by calculating a benchmark for their current energy usage and resolving to take steps to reduce it. See more at: http://www.thecarbonfast.org/
3. Lent 2014
There are many different resources available to support your journey through Lent this year. Both CAFOD and Christian Aid have materials that can assist both individually and as Church communities. Check out the websites for more details.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/lent-2014/count-your-blessings/index.aspx
http://www.cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Fundraising-ideas/Lent-for-parishes
Events
1. Global Service Jam – Bristol 2014
7th March 2014 5:30 am - 9th March 2014 5:00 pm
Hamilton House, Stokes croft, Bristol, BS1 3QY
Global Service Jam is a worldwide event where people come together to work collectively over 48 hours towards ideas to resolve a global problem. The challenge is set at the same time for all participating cities.
It is a fantastic opportunity to work with other interesting people, and the weekend is concluded by uploading video montages of everyone’s experiences for others to share.
2. CSW National Conference - Saturday 29 March 2014, London
Join hundreds of CSW supporters for an inspiring day of expert speakers, real life testimonies, latest news from the frontlines, as well as prayer and worship with Dave Bilbrough and an exclusive performance by worship leader and evangelist Helen Yousaf.
It’s THE event for anyone interested in religious freedom issues around the world, who wants to get involved in campaigning.
Register for your free place now at www.csw.org.uk/conference
3. 'Leaving a Legacy' FaithnetSouthWest
‘Leaving a legacy’ will highlight our work and look at how the profile of faith groups’ work in the community can be maintained in the future. It will take place on 27 March 2014 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm at Taunton Central Library, Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3XZ, and the guest speaker will be Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society. For more information or to book a place please contact Alistair Beattie on 0117 304 2298 or email alistair@faithnetsouthwest.org.uk.
Also available:
February E-bulletin: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-rog0DNh9tFTWlUTWlMZV9SMG8/edit
Leaving a Legacy flyer: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-rog0DNh9tFcDhMV3ZCZG9SdWc/edit
As you can see there is a lot going on. Many thanks for your continued support.
I can only echo what Jenny wrote last month, “I pray that we may be motivated by love to share some of what we have been given - in time, and money and skills - knowing that God will multiply our efforts.”
To remind you, Jenny is no longer in post, but the bulletins will continue thanks to the local partners, including Jenny that makes up the Global Aware team.
Yours, in Christ,
The Global Aware Team