Building community through the love of Christ
MISSION
WORLD CHURCH PROJECT
World Mission at The United Church has a primary focus on the World Mission Project. Every two to three years the church members decide on a charity that they would like to link with.
We hold various fundraising activities to be able to assist the charity with funds while the church members then get a chance to learn about the work of the charity and an insight in to the lives of others. Our current World Mission Project is Action for Child Trauma International who train therapists to work with children suffering from trauma and PTSD.
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Our church community has decided to make Education for Sustainability a focus.
This means a focus across the whole community on education, awareness and our impact over time that is in tune with creation; consciously embracing environmental degradation as a call to transform how we live as a community – by linking up what we do, by learning, by creatively exploring our connections within nature, and our understanding of God.
Read moreLIVE AT HOME
Winchester Live at Home Scheme is a charity offering support and friendship to local older people living in their own homes; helping to maintain independent living, improve well-being and reduce isolation.
CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Doesn’t Christmas seem a long way away now? However, we do hope that some Winchester people still retain a sense of being cared for as a result of the Christmas Project.
This year we had many more requests for help through the agencies we work with- Hampshire Children’s Services, Trinity Centre Women’s Services, Home-Start, Health Visitors, Winchester Young Carers Project, The Women’s Refuge and City Road Young People’s Project.
The Project is ecumenical and this year we had 93 volunteers from 18 different churches and donations from several churches and many individuals. As a result, we were able to help 36 families (47 adults + 77 children), 8 single people and also 9 young people living in the City Road and Sussex Street Hostels. A total of 141 people.
Each pair of volunteers visited a family or single person to discover their needs and then to shop with, or on behalf of them. Each family had a set amount of money allocated and they were free to choose what they thought would make Christmas special to them. There are no strings attached to the gift.
As usual, the help given by our wonderful volunteers was thoughtful and imaginative. Some items were strictly utilitarian such as the buying of warm winter clothes or payment of a worrying bill (often gas, electricity or rent). Others involved food – essentials with some treats thrown in. Then on to the fun stuff such as toys, presents or a morale-boosting treat. Among items this year were a vacuum cleaner, piercings, a month’s gym membership, tickets for ‘Peter Pan’ at the Mayflower, nursery fees, a TV and (for the second consecutive year) a drone!
We hope that our efforts have helped people at a difficult time of year and given a glimpse of God’s love through our practical action. At the time of writing, feedback is still coming in but here is an idea of what it meant to two young people….
“To the kind people that made our Christmas a bit more special……that took their time with (us). We both appreciate your understanding and for putting a smile on our faces this Christmas. Thank you”
…. and for a family-
“Thank you for making our year end with even more hope for a brighter, easier future. It has been wonderfully overwhelming. Your time has been invaluable in setting us up for a positive year ahead. Thank you again”.
We are very grateful for everyone who supported the Project – through donations, volunteering and prayer. Thank you so much. Do consider becoming a volunteer next Christmas!
For more information please email office@ucw.org.uk
Building community through the love of Christ
World Mission at The United Church has a primary focus on the World Mission Project. Every two to three years the church members decide on a charity that they would like to link with. We hold various fundraising activities to be able to assist the charity with funds while the church members then get a chance to learn about the work of the charity and an insight in to the lives of others. Our current World Mission Project is Luna Children's Charity who train therapists to work with children suffering from trauma and PTSD.
The church is also committed to supporting Christian Aid – we regularly host a Big Brekkie and for many years church members have been active in both organising and participating in Christian Aid Week door to door collections, as well as hosting the Christian Aid Week service.
It is important to church members that, as a minimum, all tea, coffee and sugar served in the church is Fair Trade. We currently run a Traidcraft stall weekly on a Sunday and fortnightly mid-week.
As a church we have been privileged to have been able to connect with, and provide support on an ongoing basis to, Syrian families who have been relocated to the local area. We are delighted that they feel welcome and at home in the United Church.
Our church community has decided to make Education for Sustainability a focus.
This means a focus across the whole community on education, awareness and our impact over time that is in tune with creation; consciously embracing environmental degradation as a call to transform how we live as a community - by linking up what we do, by learning, by creatively exploring our connections within nature, and our understanding of God.
Unprecedented international agreement through The Paris Agreement in 2015 urges that everyone needs to be involved in avoiding the most catastrophic effects of climate change, now! There always seem to be numerous pressing issues for our community to respond to. The specific challenges of climate change present a different kind of pressing issue, because the need for finding different ways of living, is so urgent. The 2018 IPCC report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) pushes for no more than a 1.5 degree rise in global temperature to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We’ve already gone over the 1degree. Friends of the Earth say the period before 2020 is critical. This issue is of singular importance. But how does this translate down into each organisation, each individual doing their part to make it possible?
As an organisation that cares about love, justice, easing poverty, showing there is another way to live, our way of trying to do this is by a focus on Education for Sustainability (EfS).
What this looks like:
The urgency is uncomfortable and poses challenges, but the opportunity for us to be engaged in shaping a community that is willing to grapple with the shift to more sustainable ways of living is exciting, and profound, and deeply about God’s yearning for all to have life in all its fullness.
Winchester Live at Home Scheme is a charity offering support and friendship to local older people living in their own homes; helping to maintain independent living, improve well-being and reduce isolation.
Through our able team of Volunteers we are able to offer opportunities for companionship, support and advice to older people in the Winchester district. We have services which can be offered at home and group activities in a place where our members can be among friends. These include our weekly schedule of clubs and activities, our one-to-one services and the opportunity to join our regular outings and annual holiday. Above all our members know that there is always someone to turn to for help, advice or simply a chat.
For a small monthly donation to the Scheme, Members benefit from a regular newsletter, birthday card, Christmas gift bag, regular telephone contact, transport to one off appointments (subject to availability), signposting & information.
If you would like more information about the scheme, would like to become a member or have an interest in volunteering then please contact us on 01962 890995 or Winchester.liveathome@mha.org.uk. You can also visit our website www.wlahs.org or come and see us at our offices based in the United Church.
Anna Miles
Live at Home Scheme Manager
Winchester Live at Home Scheme
Jewry St
SO23 8RZ
Tel: 01962 890995