MethodistMethodistMethodistMethodistCongratulations again to all our Christian Aid collectors.
We have recently received a summary of amounts
collected by different churches in Congleton this year. Our
total of £2,486.60 represented 28% of the total of
£8,681.22 for the whole of Congleton and was marginally
more than the sum of the amounts collected by the second
and third highest collecting churches (St John‘s and New
Life). Also Gift Aid reclaimed on our amounts added a
further £268, and represented 32% of the Gift Aid total.
Let‘s not be complacent. Let‘s challenge ourselves not
only to maintain but if possible increase our support for
Christian Aid.Congratulations again to all our Christian Aid collectors.
We have recently received a summary of amounts
collected by different churches in Congleton this year. Our
total of £2,486.60 represented 28% of the total of
£8,681.22 for the whole of Congleton and was marginally
more than the sum of the amounts collected by the second
and third highest collecting churches (St John‘s and New
Life). Also Gift Aid reclaimed on our amounts added a
further £268, and represented 32% of the Gift Aid total.
Let‘s not be complacent. Let‘s challenge ourselves not
only to maintain but if possible increase our support for
Christian Aid.

Christian Aid
"begging on behalf of the world's poorest"
     



Each year, in April, the Christian Aid representatives from churches in Congleton gather together to plan for the house to house collection during Christian Aid Week in May.

We co-ordinate our efforts, allocating collectors to each of the town's streets so that as many as possible are covered.

Since 1991,  three churches: St Mary’s RC, Baptist and New Life, have joined the original churches and are building up their base of collectors.  With the  increase in housing in Congleton, this is always  necessary.

In 1991 we were able to collect in virtually every Congleton Street, but today, in spite of having more collectors, there are about 70 streets where envelopes are not delivered.

For those of you who don’t yet collect for Christian  Aid, please volunteer next time. Not only will  you have the privilege of begging on behalf of  the world's poorest, but you also get exercise, fresh air and the opportunity to view other people’s gardens.

We look forward to seeing you.  Please contact Cath Lilley at Trinity, via the Circuit team of ministers

 

In the past the meeting would just discuss roads, do ‘swaps’ as necessary and collect all the new posters and envelopes etc, but in recent years Linda Tiongco has also joined us.  Linda is the Christian Aid area co-ordinator for Cheshire and Merseyside.  She always has up-to-date news from Christian Aid headquarters in Liverpool and can tell of other initiatives in the district and of Christian Aid projects abroad.
On a couple of occasions she has brought with her visitors from partner agencies in The Philippines and a number of African countries, and the meeting has then heard directly from them how the money we raise is put to use.

One overseas visitor was quite overcome when she saw some Christian Aid volunteers in Liverpool standing in the streets with collection tins. In her words, she had no idea that we raised money for her “by begging in the streets”.  She found that very humbling: begging on behalf of the world's poorest.  

I always think of this when I am out collecting.  It helps me overcome my English reserve!