Serve Newsletter - Bringing Shalom to our communities

 

Email not displaying correctly? Click here for the browser version of this newsletter     "The single largest crisis facing the UK since World War Two", was how one CEO of a large local authority described the present economic challenges. With large scale cuts, major changes to the benefit system, high food and fuel prices, we have only begun to feel the effects of the banking meltdown in 2009. One local authority has produced the "graph of doom", where income is dramatically falling due to the cuts, but adult social need is rising at such a rate that by 2018 the council will not be able to meet even its statutory requirements. With dangers, however, come significant opportunities – and the often hidden work of the Church is now beginning to be recognized as impressive, wide ranging and resilient. Like never before, we have an opportunity to partner with civic authorities in the provision of services especially to those in most need. The door is wide open to churches, especially those who are coming together in effective unity groups to work alongside housing trusts, colleges, councils, police forces, fire services, businesses etc. We are increasingly being viewed as good value for money with a great track record and sustainable.   Now is  the time to come out of our ghettos to enter again the public square, to serve, to influence and lead. Now is the time to partner and to build long lasting friendships with the people of peace in our cities and towns. Now is the time to seek their prosperity and shalom. Roger Sutton is a member of the Serve leadership team, Leader of Gather and Ambassador for the Evangelical Alliance. In this edition you'll find.... Funding, new resources, latest news, stories and training & events.   Funding We all know the classic verse, 'God loves a cheerful giver' (2 Cor 9:7). Our friends at Stewardship have launched a resource all about making giving easy that will bring a smile to your face. You can find it at www.give.net and it's perfect for individuals and charities alike. Set up a new donation, manage your tithes in one place or register to collect funds for a charity on the site. Find out more here: http://www.give.net/pages/about       New resources What are mental health problems? The Church of England's mental health group and Revd Eva McIntyre have teamed up with Time to Change to create a pack for churches, providing ideas and resources for churches to plan worship on the theme of mental health. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any year. Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can affect anyone at any time, and it's likely that many people in your congregation have been affected.  But although mental health problems are common, nearly nine out of 10 people affected still say they have faced stigma and discrimination as a result.  Find out more about mental health and how talking about it can help.   Latest news A major new programme to celebrate, promote and link the huge variety of social action undertaken by the nation's faith communities has been launched by Faith and Communities Minister Baroness Warsi. 'Together in Service' is a three-year programme celebrating social action projects, and can be based around each of the faith communities' religious festivals or dedicated volunteering days. It is designed to motivate and inspire new work, especially around multi-faith volunteering projects between religions. Click here to read more....     Stories This month we bring you a selection of stories about lives being changed through generosity. This is one of three of eye-opening documentaries from Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the BBC from the Why Poverty? series. Holiday from poverty – documentary Tell us about you.  How are you or your church transforming lives around you?  Have you got a story to tell about reaching out with God's love?  Tell us here.     Training & Events Working Together A consultation looking at how the Church can engage with civic authorities. Date: 20th-21st March 2013 Venue: At The Life Centre, Manchester, 235 Washway Road, Sale, M33 4B Find out more and book here.     Leadership support with the Cinnamon Network The Cinnamon Network is working in partnership with the Ella Foundation to provide leadership development support to CEOs. The purpose of the Ella Foundation is to inspire leaders of charities and social enterprises to achieve their full potentia. For more information, visit the website.   Raising Our Game Spiritual passion and professional excellence - we strive to achieve this in bringing transformation to our communities.  Whatever you do - whether it's co-ordinating your community based project or managing volunteers, come and share in an inspiring day and meet others with the same heart for community.  These sessions are led by Tearfund's Church in the Community advisors.  Join us in Norwich on 8th March or later in the year at  Hove, Liverpool, Colchester, London or Newcastle.   For a sneak preview, have a look at Key 1: Encouraging Spiritual Passion.    Find out if there's an event near you and to book, visit our website.   Leadership Workshops with Innovista If you're a leader in your 20s or 30s and involved in Christian mission of any kind, then you'll want to check out this series of practical one day workshops from Innovista that will help you lead mission better. How to lead well through change Date: 28 March, 10am-4pm Venue: Oxford Cost: £65 (£35 for students) including lunch If you're leading your team through large scale organisational change or individual change, this experiential workshop will give you the tools to lead and coach your team in change. Bringing out the best in your team Date: 2 May, 10am-4pm Venue: Oxford  Cost: £65 (£35 for students) including lunch You'll learn to identify and appreciate the strengths in your team. You'll practise using tools to get your team to use those strengths to overcome challenge, work innovatively, and to pass on an appreciative culture at work. "Innovista's workshops have completely transformed the way I manage and lead staff and volunteers" - Toby Baxter, Pastor for Crossway Life and Co-founder of Catalyst Trust. Bookings and more info: www.innovista.org/workshops

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Food banks can only plug the holes in social safety nets

Very insightful Guardian article

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/27/food-banks-social-safety-nets

 

Donation-dependent, food banks aren't a 'normal' part of support for those in need, but they help identify flaws in social protection.....

Gather Newsletter

I'm going... Any one else from Lancashire?

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Gather

To: Greg

Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 3:21 PM

Subject: Gather Newsletter

Gather Consultation on civic engagement Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. "Working Together" A Consultation looking at how the Church can engage with civic authorities 20th - 21st March 2013 at The Life Centre, Manchester, 235 Washway Road, Sale. M33 4B How can churches engage with civic life ? How does the economic crisis now give the church unparalleled opportunities to partner with the council, police force, housing trust and other service providers? What are the opportunities and what dangers must be avoided? What are the practical do's and dont's of church-civic engagement? What are the best examples of good practice around the county? These and other questions are being discussed and addressed in this strategic 24hr consultation. You will hear from experienced practitioners in cities and towns across the country. Theresa Grant (CEO of Trafford Council) will be addressing the consultation looking at the do's and don'ts of church-civic engagement, the serious crisis facing the statuary authorities and what happens when we run out money to meet the most basic needs. Neil Wain (Former Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester now working with Redeeming our Communities) will be  addressing the consultation. What to do and what not to do in working with the police. What the church and the police can learn from each other? How can churches connect with their local police? How good are churches at working with local authorities? New research to be unveiled at the consultation. Listen to an inspiring story of transformation in Salford, when the churches get their act together. Hear about the key role the churches played after the riots of 2010 in Croydon and how that has led to a new level of engagement. Significant connections with civic authorities being made across Plymouth. Be part of compiling a good practice document to be sent out to churches across the country Gather is an emerging national network of vibrant missional unity movements in towns and cities across the UK Together, we see a national network of unity movements being formed across the UK. A gathering together of those who believe that when churches and leaders put down their differences and start to form friendships, pray together and undertake mission initiatives for the sake of their local areas, God commands the blessing. Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Book your place Go to www.wegather.co.uk and download the booking form or email us for further information  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © *|2013|* *Gather EA*, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have shown interest in the Gather Unity Network Our mailing address is: admin@wegather.co.uk  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Holidays for the poorest

Falcon Camps are holidays run by Church Pastoral Aid Society for children and young people aged 8-16. Most children who come on Falcon Camps are from families facing some sort of disadvantage or marginalisation in society, such as unemployment, financial difficulties, loss, separation or exclusion from education.

There are around 20 each summer all over the country, they are heavily subsidised to make them affordable to all. Each Falcon will include a variety of activities and some Christian teaching every day which is designed to be fun and accessible and is suitable for young people who have had little or no experience of teaching about Jesus.

They offer a great opportunity for young people to have new experiences and learn about God's love for them.  Each camp is run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers.

If you would like to find out more about sending children or young people to a camp or you think helping to lead on a Falcon might be right up your street, then please get in touch with Jane Stephenson jstephenson@cpas.org.uk or call 0300 123 0780 ex 4382

Welfare-to-work scheme 'is failing'

 

A multi-billion-pound scheme to help long-term unemployed people into work has been branded extremely poor by MPs.

 

see  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21532191

The new look CAP Money Course has arrived!

 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Kirkby

To: pcaninfo@gmail.com

Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 4:50 PM

Subject: The new look CAP Money Course has arrived!

Can’t see any images? View this in your web browser Facebook Twitter Donate

–Aa+Aa Dear Greg, The CAP Money Course has had a serious facelift with new DVDs, revamped course materials and improved web tools that will help everyone to budget, save and spend better. We all know just how important it is to have a good handle on your finances in these uncertain economic times, so book onto a free course near you. Just pop your postcode in online to see a list of courses running in your area. We went on the CAP Money Course and found out we were £400 a month better off. Everyone should go on a CAP Money course, it teaches you what to do with your money, how to create a budget and stick within your means. It gives you control back. Katie, CAP Money Course delegate If you want to reach out and make a difference in your community for relatively low cost and commitment then getting your church to run the CAP Money Course is a great way to do it. Find out more here. John Kirkby Founder and International Director Tell a friend about CAP This email has been sent to you by Christians Against Poverty donorrelations@capuk.org 01274 760761 Jubilee Mill, North Street, Bradford, BD1 4EW Registered Charity Numbers 1097217 & SC038776 (Scotland) Unsubscribe from this list   Add to your safe senders list

Interesting article about food poverty

Everyone's talking about it:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/18/food-poverty-uk-human-rights-obligations?CMP=twt_gu

 

JRF research : Whatever you think marriage is for, it's no cure for poverty

 

Two interesting snippets from JRF here

 

http://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/2013/02/marriage-no-cure-poverty

 

http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/poverty-role-institutions-behaviours

Job Vacancy - ARC Outreach Wellbeing Worker - Wesley Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn BB2 1LQ

 

 

Methodist Action North West Ltd is currently recruiting to the post of ARC Outreach Wellbeing Worker – Wesley Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn BB2 1LQ. Application is by application form against the Job Description and Person Specification. For an application pack and all details please contact Bren Cook (Centre Manager) at bren.cook@methodistaction.co.uk or on 01254 696940.

The completed application form should be emailed to bren.cook@methodistaction.co.uk. It should arrive no later than noon on Friday 22^nd February 2013.

If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please take it that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

The interview date is Thursday 7^th March 2013 at Wesley Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn BB2 1LQ.

Salary £17,000 Based at Wesley Hall, Blackburn

Job summary

The ARC project works closely with the asylum seekers and refugee community in Blackburn, Darwen and beyond. Providing one to one support, drop-ins, and other social activities ARC seeks to be alongside people seeking safety and refuge in the UK. This post will be part of the team and work with the community both within Wesley Hall and in an outreach capacity. We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic person that has some experience working in social care or with asylum seekers and refugees. The project is set in Wesley Hall which is part of the Methodist Church. Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds or faiths though it is expected that the person appointed will work to the Christian values underpinning the project.

Main duties include:

Provide guidance and support to the asylum seeker and refugee community and families and individuals within it; communication and cooperation with relevant agencies; team work; ensure safeguarding of service users; offer advice on such issues as benefits, education, budgeting, accommodation and employment; facilitate empowerment of service users; risk assessment and risk management; flexible approach to working hours; operate within Methodist Actions policies and procedures.

This is a Fixed Term Full Time contract to 31^st March 2014 (with a view to extending).

Information on welfare reforms

We have just come across a useful leaflet on the forthcoming welfare reorms produced in Hertfordshire

 

You can download a pdf versionb of this here

 

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/89023969/Welfare%20Reforms%20Leaflet.pdf

A National Survey of Church-led Social Action from CUF

Thousands of parish churches around the country play an active role in their local community, running lunch clubs for the elderly, after school clubs for children living in deprived areas or food banks for parents desperately trying to feed their families. These activities, and many others like them, are signs of parish churches quietly serving disadvantaged or vulnerable members of their community.

The aim of this short paper is to quantify the scale of Anglican church-led social action in England, to explore the types of activities that parishes run and to identify the social needs they help to address. Our findings show that, as the recession continues to bite, many churches around the country are actively addressing the social needs they see around them.

Download the report from http://www.cuf.org.uk/church-action

 

There is much more to poverty than addiction to drugs and alcohol

Click blow for JRF article There is much more to poverty than addiction to drugs and alcohol

Iain Duncan's Smith speech on measuring child poverty today focused on addiction. While it's a serious problem, Chris Goulden argues there is much more to poverty than addiction. Blog by Chris Goulden

Urban Mission Events Manchester

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Keeble

To: Paul Keeble

Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 4:08 PM

Subject: Not quite a RefUrb

Hi all

We're writing to tell you about the next Network 'Fresh Thinking' event on March 14 which will be on Urban Mission. 

We had actually been arranging a RefUrb with urban activist and theologian Bishop Laurie Green, only to discover Network were planning their event on Urban Mission at almost the same time. So we have given them our speaker and are encouraging you all to go to this event instead.

Laurie is well worth hearing and Matt Wilson, Director of Eden, will also be taking part. It should be good.      

Fresh Thinking - Urban Mission. March 14, 12-2pm at Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester M12 4NF.                            

ALSO: Advance Notice -'Making Sense of the Fragments' is the next Jesus in the City UK Urban Mission Congress which will be in Manchester on September 6-8. More info on the website. Some excellent content is being planned. Note the dates now, there will be more publicity soon.

yours

Paul & Derek

_______________________________
URBAN PRESENCE
resourcing good news in the city
UK Registered Charity 1069404
Web: www.urbanpresence.org.uk

Making Sense of the Fragments
Jesus in the City, Manchester
6-8 September 2013
www.jitc2013.co.uk

CAP's exciting new look!

Can’t see any images? View this in your web browser facebook twitter Donate

–Aa+Aa Dear Greg, Welcome to 'Lifted', our new email newsletter for our fresh new look! After seven years with our previous logo, we knew it was time for a change to better reflect our friendly, yet professional service to people struggling in debt. Our new look also better communicates the different ways we now work with local churches to lift people out of poverty. As you know, we are helping around 20,000 people out of debt every year through our Debt Help service, but we also help around 10,000 people to budget and save through the CAP Money Course. And, in March, we are set to launch CAP Job Clubs â€" a brand-new service to help unemployed people find jobs. Have a look round the website â€" there are some really inspiring new films to watch, including one about our exciting new fundraising challenges for 2013 which has won Civil Society's video of the week! John Kirkby Founder and International Director tell a friend about CAP This email has been sent to you by Christians Against Poverty donorrelations@capuk.org Jubilee Mill, North Street, Bradford, BD1 4EW Registered Charity Numbers 1097217 & SC038776 (Scotland) Unsubscribe from this list   Add to your safe senders list

Fw: RTU 2013 - Booking now open!

Reaching the Unreached 2013

Stand your ground: suffering and hope on council estates

The gospel makes us different – what will it look like, what will it cost?

 

Friday 17th May, 4pm-9.15pm and Saturday 18th May, 9.30am-4.30pm

St Giles' Church, Village Street, Normanton, Derby, DE23 8DE

 

This year we will be focusing on the book of 1 Peter, asking what it will look like, and what it will cost, to stand fast: enduring suffering as strangers in our estates, but rejoicing in the hope of Jesus Christ.

 

Speakers and seminar leaders will include:

 

• Andy Mason – St Johns, World's End Estate
• Efrem Buckle – Calvary Chapel, South London
• Neil Robbie – Holy Trinity, West Bromwich
• Simon & Lizzie Smallwood – St George's, Dagenham
• Steve Casey – Speke Baptist Church, Liverpool

 

And several more, to be confirmed soon!

 

Seminars:

 

This year we will once again have seminar options for the after-lunch session on Saturday afternoon:

 

1. Radical Respect for legit authorities – what will it look like, what will it cost? (1 Peter 2:13-17)
2. Radical Respect for oppressive masters – what will it look like, what will it cost? (1 Peter 2:18-25)
3. Radical Respect in tough marriages – what will it look like, what will it cost? (1 Peter 3:1-7)
4. Radical Respect when there's disunity and disrespect – what will it look like, what will it cost? (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Booking is now open for Reaching the Unreached 2013!

 

For more information, see below.  To cut to the chase and buy tickets, go straight to: www.thegoodbook.co.uk/rtu2013

 

Hope to see you there!

 

---

 

Other news / reminders

 

Jobs

 

Dan Rackham, coming to the end of two years at Cornhill and a placement at St Helen's Bishopsgate, is looking for a role with a mix of evangelism, preaching and men's work in an Anglican church working on an estate.  If you are interested – or know someone who might be: d.rackham@st-helens.org.uk

 

Holy Cross, Gleadless Valley, is looking for a Families' Worker and a Ministry Trainee.  If you are interested – or know someone who should be, please see the attached and get in touch with David direct.

 

If you have an employment need – or are looking for a position – we're keen to help the right people end up in the right places, so get in touch.

 

Talks and seminars from RTU 2012

 

Videos are available to stream or download here

Audio is available to stream or download here

 

CCEF conference

 

Lots of us are already aware of the ministry by CCEF, and have found their work very helpful in the context of working-class and deprived areas.  On Saturday February 23^rd, CCEF is holding its first national conference in the UK, and also launching a new biblical counselling network in the UK: 'Changing Hearts'.  Please see the attached flyer for more details.

 

'Unreached' – the book

 

Don't forget that 'Unreached' is now available, authored by Tim Chester and sharing the combined experience of a number of 'Reaching the Unreached' pastors in different contexts.  More information here

 

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I hope this finds you well,

 

Andrew

 

 

Reaching the Unreached

reachingtheunreached.org.uk

 

You have been sent this email because you attended a Reaching the Unreached conference, or expressed interest in the Reaching the Unreached network.  If you no longer wish to receive emails related to Reaching the Unreached, please let me know.