‘ The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love’ Galatians 5 v 6b

Making poverty history?

Throughout the UK people are talking about making poverty history. The focus is rightly on Africa with its major problems but poverty affects people at home too, even in apparently prosperous Reading.
Jesus said the poor would always be with us but that can’t mean that we have no responsibility to alleviate the effects of poverty. Surely we have our own part to play in the fight to ‘make poverty history’? In one respect this is the message of the gospel.

FAITH will not be impacting millions; we do not have the world leaders gathering to discuss the fate of Reading - yet poverty is still commonplace and important enough for us to fight in our town which is considered the capital of the Thames Valley.

For many of the people we serve, it is not the physical poverty but the spiritual poverty which aggravates their situation. Finding the way out of their spiritual poverty is the solution to many of their problems. Maybe you have noticed how when people get their priorities in order and sort their relationship with God first, that they have a different outlook on their struggles. Naturally the problems do not necessarily go away, as Christian’s face the same issues, but they have a different approach, they see things from a different angle.

In Reading we are dealing with a different scale of poverty, different needs - yes. But these are the people we are reaching out to. These are the people we have been called to serve in our town.

How is poverty expressed in our ‘prosperous’ town?
We have some measures:
• In the first three weeks of July last year we distributed 18 parcels. During the same period this year we distributed 24 parcels.
• Though very difficult to measure, through the soup runs, drop-in and Teabar, we continue to feed around 80 people over the course of the week, though some of these individuals are fed more than once.

The needs are not diminishing. In addition there is an ever increasing need for temporary emergency accommodation in the town - not just identified by us, but by the council and the other agencies who we work alongside.
We continue to build and strengthen the relationships with the Churches around the town. These in turn are building and strengthening relationships with the people facing poverty within their areas. Some people as a result are slowly starting to break free from the grip of poverty. You may have read some of their stories in previous issues of this newsletter.

FAITH Christian Group through your support and that of the churches is seeking to make poverty history in Reading. This is the expression of our faith through love. Making poverty history in Africa needs your involvement. Making poverty history in Reading needs your involvement too.
Thank you for your support in the battle.
Chris

‘ Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works on man’s behalf.’ Psalm 66 v 5

On a general note

This is our new look newsletter! The summer and winter additions will be shorter with the autumn and spring ones longer.
We are in a period of consolidation and strengthening what we are already doing. The volunteers’ party earlier this month was well attended and gave opportunity to strengthen the team. It was attended by outreach volunteers, people in churches who deliver parcels, and people from churches who support as a group in the outreach work.
We are currently planning some training in various aspects of the work of FAITH, for later on in the year, which will be advertised in the next edition of the newsletter. This will help us to be better equipped and more efficient at what we do. Sadly the culture of risk assessments and law suits has highlighted some inadequacies in a few areas of our work and, understandably, the trustees are keen for us to tighten up in these respects. The office move upstairs should be happening soon and we will inform you of this in the next edition.

A lovely day earlier this month saw the tea bar serving alongside the South Reading Churches at their Fun day. This was also supported by Fusion Youth and Community. It was a very enjoyable day and we served over 1,000 drinks.
We have updated our leaflets and display boards. If you would like copies of the leaflets for your church or group please contact us in the office and we will arrange to get some sent to you. The display boards are available if you would like us to visit your church or group to publicise our ministry.

As we continue to distribute more and more parcels so our stocks of food remain continually low. However, it is generally in this period, between Christmas and Harvest, when the stocks are particularly low. The responsibility to keep stocked up remains with us all. Would your church or group be able to consider collecting food for our store, particularly at this time of year? Please contact the office for more details.

‘ Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.’ Psalm 66 v 16

Staffing

We have formalised the new role of Vicky Greener who now has the title of ‘Support Co-ordinator’. She is responsible for the day to day running of the office, food parcel distribution, and co-ordinating the volunteers. Please pray for her, and Matt and her son Kieran, in her new responsibilities.

Are you praying with us?

We continue to meet regularly to pray, during the day in Southcote, Reading. The group is growing and often the staff team attend but there is still room for more! If you are interested in joining us please contact Olive on 957 3575.

Give thanks to God for…
• the South Reading Churches Funday and the people served and the witness to the community to see the churches working side by side
• Vicky in her new role
• the volunteers party and all those who serve week by week so faithfully
• the opportunity to highlight poverty in our communities
• Jesus!

Please pray for…
• the trustees and Chris looking to strengthen the work
• unity amongst the staff team of Chris, Vicky and Julian
• Vicky and her family with her new responsibilities
• those of the staff and volunteers and their families taking holidays that they will be able to rest and be re-envisioned
• Jim and Donette now back in Reading – see last issue
• J an alcoholic who also has terminal cancer – to get treatment and be able to see his daughter grow up
• the training courses, those who will be attending and preparation for them
• those people impacted by the fun day that any seeds planted can be ‘watered and grow’
• those stricken by poverty – both physical and spiritual – within our town
• the churches in Reading to become relevant to our communities again
• the continuing need for a ‘Stepping Stone’ project in the town
• our office move