SVP
We welcome new members to help in any way possible in furthering our basic principles of providing practical help to those in need based on the Christian principles of faith, hope & charity. If you would like to explore supporting the SVP in any way or to get a greater awareness of our work, we are holding an Open Meeting in St Augustine’s Parish Centre on Monday 19th October at 7pm. All are welcome. Our thanks for supporting the SVP with your kind generosity over the years. At the heart of our work, we make it our mission to be there in person for those who need us most.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY BRIEFING
Have you seen the Peoples Emergency Briefing film yet? The film is fine balance between what we have seen due to climate change and what is ahead. There have been over 5000 screenings around the UK many of which are in our diocese. We will be impacted by the Climate crisis and it already has disrupted the lives of people who have caused the least to accelerate Climate change. Following showing at The Quaker Meeting house, another showing of this film will take place at Holy Trinity Church on Woodland Road on 12 November starting at 7pm.
UKRAINE – POPE LEO’S PLEA
Before his admittance to hospital Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in Ukraine and recalled the effects of its reduced grain exports on poor countries around the world.
“The war in war-torn Ukraine continues to cause suffering far beyond its borders, especially in the poorest countries, where so many people depend on grain imports,” he said. “I make a heartfelt appeal to the parties to the conflict to allow the safe transport of grain across the Black Sea. The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war.”
Ukraine has historically produced around 10 percent of the world’s wheat supply, 15 percent of the corn market, and 13 percent of the barley supply.
Church Action on Poverty’s longest-serving regional group is holding a special event in October. “Passing on the torch” will take place at St Joseph’s Church in central Gateshead on Wednesday 21 October, from 5pm to 8pm. After more than 40 years of trailblazing and influential work, this will be the final event led by the regional group. It is now passing on the torch to others across the region, in churches, town halls, and the wider community, to continue the work of tackling poverty and promoting social justice. guest speaker, Bishop Rob Wickham of the Church Urban Fund and John Battle, founder and first director of Church Action on Poverty nationally will be contributing. Attendees will reflect together on the challenge of “What next?” for churches and social justice in the Northeast. All are welcome on the evening. Refreshments will be available. Booking is not essential, but it would greatly help organisers plan ahead if you could let Bernadette Askins know on bernadette.askins@talktalk.net