Newsletter: September, 2005

Fairtrade and St Paul?

“Therefore I urge you my brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is you spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12 v1-2

We live in a world that is dominated by global trade. In our shops and markets we find products sourced from all parts of the world. Trade is highly competitive and many of us want to buy goods at the cheapest that we can get them. Unfortunately this price competition squeezes the prices and often the producer loses out most after the retailers and suppliers have taken their profits. Being subject to market forces for some producers in the poorest parts of the world can mean they cannot feed their family or pay for health care or education when the bottom drops out of their local market.

When we buy a bargain we don’t often worry about the price the producer got or whether they were exploited in order to produce it. The rich world has a long history of exploiting third world producers and continues to do this through the World Trade Organisation and their demands to not allow poorer countries to protect their local markets, despite the rich world still protecting their own markets and providing subsidies to their own producers.

In Senegal the local onion market was destroyed when one European country, who had over-produced, dumped their surplus onions in Senegal. These onions were subsidised and produced in an intensive way and undercut the local prices. As a result local farmers were unable to sell their onions and many went hungry.

We are all God’s children and have a responsibility to each other whether we live next door, or on the other side of the world. Paul is urging his readers to live their lives in a different way from that of the world. God through grace has justified us through his Son and we need to offer our whole lives as a living sacrifice and to stand against a system that continues to exploit people and keep millions in poverty. The Make Poverty History Campaign is calling for a change in international trade practices to allow poorer countries protection from the rich and powerful world in order to help them trade their way out of poverty. Joining this campaign is one way we can help bring trade justice and change the way that international trade is carried out.

One very practical way we can live our lives differently, which is very much in the spirit of Paul’s exhortation, is to change our buying habits. Buying Fairtrade goods guarantees that the product has been produced ethically and the producer paid a fair price. It also helps the local community through providing funds which can be used to improve the production efficiency, provide healthcare and education and other community benefits.

Fairtrade goods are widely available in supermarkets, other shops and also through on-line suppliers. They may cost a little more than others but the extra premium is helping some of the poorest farmers and their families to trade their way out of poverty. The more we buy Fairtrade products the more pressure will be put on other producers and suppliers to adopt ethical and fair trading practices and so help to bring about an end to injustice and exploitation in trade.

For more information see www.fairtrade.org.uk, www.makepovertyhistory.org and www.christian-aid.org.uk.

Adapted from a sermon by Tony Oakden, Dept for Social Responsibility, Diocese of Guildford

THE CHURCH CLOCK
Many of you will have noticed that the Church clock only chimes intermittently these days and while I am sure that a few may be pleased, many have said that they miss it. The problem is that the clock has not been overhauled since the mid 1960s and is now in need of some serious attention. We have been quoted in the region of £1400 plus VAT to undertake this work. If anyone feels so strongly that this is worthwhile project that they would like to contribute, please get in touch with Brian Hooker, Churchwarden, 11 Willson Road, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey TW20 0QB. Any contribution would be very gratefully received.

TALK
Would you like to help people to communicate?

Do you know someone with communication difficulties following a stroke? We need your help!

TALK helps people recover lost communication skills after a stroke. Groups meet once a week at Guildford, Walton on Thames, Knaphill and Alfold. At our meetings, members work with volunteers on a one to one basis. We aim to break through the isolation and frustration that many dysphasic people experience. The meetings are fun and informative. As a volunteer, you would receive some training and be part of a very supportive team. We also want to reach people who may benefit from our help - not everyone knows about TALK, so please help us to spread the word.

To find out more call Jane on 01372 471088 and see www.talksurrey.org.uk.

TALK Reg. Charity 1072526

MONEY FOR WATERAID
The Cream Teas on 7th August (including a stall selling, jam cushions, etc) together with the Coffee Morning at Vera Long’s House on 13th August, raised over £400 for WaterAid. Many thanks to all those who came along and supported these events.

SATURDAY AFTERNOONS
As you may know, we keep St Jude’s Church open for visitors each Saturday afternoon between 1.00 and 4.00pm. To do this safely and adequately requires at least 3 people at all times. To keep this running, we must have a rota of people who would take a turn — obviously the more offers we have, the less often each one would have to do. If you can help with this, say, once every two months, please contact either the Vicar on 432553 or the Churchwardens (telephone numbers are shown above) or by email to saturdays@stjudeschurch.info. Your help would be appreciated.

FROM OUR BISHOP — TRAGEDY AT TAIZE
I was very distressed to hear of Frère Roger's murder during Evening Prayer at Taizé on 16th August. I lived and worshipped with the Taizé community as a theological student for part of the summer of 1964 — building a wall which was later pulled down! I have visited Taizé since then, a number of times and met Frère Roger, both there and at other places on special ecumenical occasions in Paris, Geneva and Rome.

Many Christians will be praying the Taizé Kyrie in sadness, commendation, and thanksgiving.

Bishop Christopher

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Matrimony:
(20th August) James Cummins and Nicola Ann Sines.

Funerals:
(15th August) Derek Edwards.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

COFFEE MORNING
There will be a Coffee Morning in the Porch of the Methodist Church in Victoria Street on Saturday 3rd September from 10.00am to 12 noon.

CRUSADERS
There will be Cream Teas at 16 Laurel Avenue on Saturday 3rd September from 3.30–5.00pm in aid of Crusaders.

Crusaders start the new term on Monday 19th September 6.15–7.45pm. New children aged 7–11 are always welcome — please telephone Rita on 433560 or Andrew on 436576 if you are interested.

The Crusaders AGM takes place in the Methodist Church Hall on Monday 26th September at 8.15pm. All are welcome.

Congratulation go to Kevin Williams, one of the leaders, on his marriage to Sumi during August. We wish them well in their future together.

CONFIRMATION
The Vicar will be preparing one more groups of candidates for Confirmation before she retires. The service will be in Guildford Cathedral on 31st October. This is an opportunity for both adults’ and young people (aged 10 and above). Preparation will be organised depending on individuals. Please let her know soon if you would like your name added.

FROM PRISON TO PEACE
Jonathan Aitken will be sharing his life-changing experiences at a special evening at St John’s Church, Egham on Sunday 2nd October at 7.30pm (doors open at 7.00pm). For more information about this free event, please contact the Church Office on 01784 430964 or see www.stjohnsegham.com.

CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2005