Our  Minister, Rev Philip Peacock

 The Lectionary for the next three weeks click here

Harvest 2024

– ‘I was a beggar, but now I am a giver.’

This year, for harvest, the charity All We Can (formerly the Methodist Relief and Development Fund) is focusing upon Liberia.  Within this we are introduced to Cynthia and SHIFSD (Self-Help Initiative for Sustainable Development, pronounced ‘shift’), a partner of All We Can.

Liberia is a country on the West African coast (population around 5.5 million). The official language is English but 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity.  Recent history includes two civil wars (1989-1997 and 1998-2003). These resulted in the deaths of a quarter of a million people and the displacement of many more, with Liberia's economy shrinking by 90%. Democratic elections took place in 2005 and the country has remained relatively stable since then.

As Liberia imports 90% of its rice, a staple food, it is extremely vulnerable to food shortages. In 2007, 20% of children under the age of five were malnourished. Cynthia says, “I was already giving up. I had my children and was telling them, ‘No food to eat.’  So, the best thing that I could do is die because I was tired of my children. Everybody was looking up to me and they were not getting anything.”

Cynthia wanted to go to school but she was told it was not for women and that, even if it was, the family did not have the means to send her. Her father had died, there was tension all around, and so Cynthia left home to live on the streets.

In 2017, the literacy rate of Liberia was estimated at 48% (63% for males, 34% for females).  Jeremiah Burgess, a Director of SHIFSD, comments: “In the context of Liberia, the majority of our people are illiterate. After the civil war, a whole generation missed out on education. Mothers around here are single mothers, bringing up a child, just by themselves. When you can’t read and write, you’re almost in the dark.”

Cynthia heard about a school run by SHIFSD. When she went, they said, “Let’s start with adult literacy so you’re able to write your name.” She says, “For a woman to get literary skills, it’s important. Like me now. I am able to write my name. It’s good to know what you want to be and what you want to do. It’s good for women to learn to read and write.”

Jeremiah explains, “Literacy is the bedrock of our organisation. I see adult literacy as the thread that holds everything together. It helps them to be able to find something to do, maybe a job. It builds self-confidence and self-esteem. For those who can’t read or write, some of them have very brilliant ideas but they do not see themselves as people who are worthy of any contribution. They don’t think that they have anything to offer. And then when people are making decisions, they don’t count on them. So, most of the benefits that they should have gotten [don’t] reach them…Most of what we are hearing from the learners that are finishing is that to read and to write is good, but after that, what next?  We are led by the community and the issues impacting them. They have more ideas, better than us. They know exactly their issues…You just need someone to help them to see clearly what they have and how best to value what they have and make use of it… they quickly become independent, generating some funding to help themselves.”

Cynthia graduated from the school in 2017 and explains what came next: “I got a sewing machine. I started practising on my own. I started getting customers, little by little. I started getting stronger.  The tailoring job means a lot to me, because now I’m able to feed myself, help my children with their schooling, you can see me now. I can sew my own clothes. I had one plaid skirt, one white blouse with some shower slippers.  And I wore this to church for three years.  People who saw it on me felt it was a uniform, not knowing it was the only clothes that I had to wear. And today, I can change clothes any hour, any time.”

Jeremiah reflects on the significance of the partnership with All We Can: “One of the good things is they said to us, we’re not here to tell you ‘Do this’ or ‘do that’. We see them as a true partner.”

A last word from Cynthia: “SHIFSD has caused me to be able to stand. I was a beggar, but now I am a giver because I’m not only feeding myself, I’m also able to help others.”  

PP September 2024

All We Can link to website here

Jackie's Pies

 Little pies, chicken or meat, are again available @ £2.50 each, £2 of which will go to our church charities.  If you wish to order a pie, please contact Jackie D on 0114 236 7761.

Banner Cross Walking Group

The first walk of the newly formed Walking Group will be led by Tim Wilson. It will be a short walk of just under four miles starting at The Grouse Inn at 10.30 am on Tuesday 29th October.

Contact Paula and Tim: 07729 741 497; or

Ann and Chris: 07306 827 409

for further details and lifts.

Ann

Holy Habits

Link to Holy Habits previous articles

Link to current Rota scroll to end

Link to Circuit website

For news & articles from the wider circuit

Charities

BEN’S CENTRE

As many of you are aware, Ben’s Centre is a small local charity serving vulnerable people who have issues with drink and may be sleeping rough. The Centre offers food and a safe environment where people can shower, obtain clothes and get advice according to their needs.

Ben’s is always short of men’s socks, underwear, scarves, hats, gloves, not forgetting the essential supplies of coffee, tea, and sugar.  So, for the price of a new pack of socks and underwear, or a donation of any unwanted warm clothing, you could really make a difference especially as the colder weather approaches.

If you require any more information, please speak to Richard/Kathryn  Warren or Alan Brailey.

Your donated clothing or food items may be placed in the collection bin which may be found outside

Room no 1.

Thank you

Sue Cox

The Archer Project is in need of a continuing supply of Pot Noodles, tinned fish or fruit with ring pulls and breakfast cereals. Don’t forget to support the Food Bank with an extra item when you do your shopping. Please donate unwanted clean clothing/shoes/blankets/sleeping bags to Ben’s Centre via Alan Brailey.

Thank you for your continued support to all these charities.