Chiks was created in 1999 as a charitable trust as a result of personal connections between a Christian Indian woman and a caring English gentleman.
Sister Mary Mathew had worked for many years as a nun with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. She later moved to take sole charge of a home for fifty disabled people in a poor community south of Madras.
Mary’s health was suffering severely when, in the early 1990s, it was decided to move the residents to a new, large, well-staffed home. This freed Mary to pursue a lifetime dream to rescue and care for the neediest children.
Through her friendship with Robin Radley, who offered support and fundraising opportunities, Chiks was founded
A cheap two-roomed stonecutters house was found near Chalakudy, Kerala. Work was undertaken to convert and extend it, and the first six children were welcomed in 1998.
The home was called Karunanilayam, meaning ‘Home of Mercy’ in the local language, Malayalam.
Over the years further extension with new buildings and purchasing an adjacent plot mean that now over fifty children are given shelter, are fed, clothed and educated in local schools.
Some are orphans, some from homes where parents are too poor or too ill to provide for them. All are victims of poverty.
A history of sadness, loss, deprivation may be behind a child’s arrival, but the fulfilment of their physical needs with loving care and compassion bring comfort, and then happiness.
Now, another two homes, in the hills of Kerala, have become dependent on the Chiks charity.
‘Little Flower Mercy Home’ near Chengulum, and ‘Carmel Matha Santhi Bavan’ in Wyanad district, both offer refuge to children permanently or temporarily.
The permanence will only depend on the goodwill and charitable donations raised by Robin Radley and his unstinting efforts.
Ambitious projects toward self-sufficiency had been an object, but the current economic situation has curtailed so many plans. Life has become very much ‘hand-to-mouth’ recently.
I am certain that, of any funds raised, every penny counts and not one rupee is wasted!
Any questions will be welcomed by Robin Radley when he visits Highbury for the morning
service on Sunday 5th December, or go to
http://www.chikschildrenshomes.org/
Sue Cole
Saturday 27 November 2010
Friday 12 November 2010
November - Open the Book at Oakwood School
Not to be confused with our Thursday Bible Study, ‘Open the Book’ is a national charity that provides school friendly materials to enable members of local churches to go into primary schools and share the story of the Bible with the children. Open The Book offers primary school children an opportunity to hear the major Bible stories, presented chronologically, during one school year. It is a free service given to each school by a team of Christians from local churches, who present a series of stories. Each presentation takes a maximum of ten minutes and can be incorporated into a wider school assembly, or can stand alone.
All the Year One stories are taken from The Lion Storyteller Bible written by Bob Hartman, and give an overview of the Bible from Creation to the Ascension. There is a further two years of themed material for those schools (and teams) that wish to continue. Open The Book fulfils both OFSTED and SIAS (Church School Inspection) requirements for Collective Worship, and has been successfully used in a multi-faith context.
Open The Book started in Bedford in 1999 where a group of Christians first started presenting Bible stories in school assemblies. Word reached other schools and areas and so grew from a local initiative into a national enterprise. In Gloucestershire Open The Book has grown from six teams in 2001 to over 160 teams in 2009 – that’s more than 1000 local volunteers. Phil Arnold, Jean Gregory and I became involved as part of Hope ’09 as a way of working together with St Michael’s.
Money raised helps to buy the books we use and to help with props and costumes. We also need funding to train other teams. As well as this month’s collections you are warmly invited to spend money on coffee and goodies at the URC in Prestbury from 10 – 12 on Saturday 20th November. If you really want to know what Open The Book is like come to church on the morning of 21st November.
Open the Book is a registered charity, number 1120425
Mary Michael
All the Year One stories are taken from The Lion Storyteller Bible written by Bob Hartman, and give an overview of the Bible from Creation to the Ascension. There is a further two years of themed material for those schools (and teams) that wish to continue. Open The Book fulfils both OFSTED and SIAS (Church School Inspection) requirements for Collective Worship, and has been successfully used in a multi-faith context.
Open The Book started in Bedford in 1999 where a group of Christians first started presenting Bible stories in school assemblies. Word reached other schools and areas and so grew from a local initiative into a national enterprise. In Gloucestershire Open The Book has grown from six teams in 2001 to over 160 teams in 2009 – that’s more than 1000 local volunteers. Phil Arnold, Jean Gregory and I became involved as part of Hope ’09 as a way of working together with St Michael’s.
Money raised helps to buy the books we use and to help with props and costumes. We also need funding to train other teams. As well as this month’s collections you are warmly invited to spend money on coffee and goodies at the URC in Prestbury from 10 – 12 on Saturday 20th November. If you really want to know what Open The Book is like come to church on the morning of 21st November.
Open the Book is a registered charity, number 1120425
Mary Michael
Sunday 3 October 2010
October - Listening Post, Counselling Service
Listening Post is a Christian Counselling Service, which is available to anyone over 18 living in Gloucestershire, regardless of their religion, race, gender or sexual orientation.
Many people go through a time when they unable to resolve their difficulties themselves. Sharing concerns with a counsellor can help to get them into perspective. The work aims to help the client gain a perspective that will enable them to move towards a solution to their problems that they find acceptable.
The service relies on donations and there are no fixed charges. There is an expectation that a realistic contribution will be made but no one is refused help because they cannot afford to make a donation. The recession has meant a huge increase in clients who are affected by financial problems which runs alongside a decrease in client and other donations.
All Listening Post counsellors have trained for at least two years on a nationally recognised course. Training is on-going and experienced, trained supervisors regularly supervise all counsellors.
Anyone seeking counselling can telephone Gloucester, Cheltenham or Stroud. A trained receptionist will take brief details and offer an initial assessment appointment with an experienced counsellor. If the person decides to attend regular counselling sessions a counsellor will make contact in a few weeks.
Listening Post invite individuals and churches to join them in their work. While trained volunteers do most of their work, they do need a regular income to pay for salaries, rent, heat, light and administration costs. Listening Post runs counselling courses which meet nationally recognised standards. Credits are currently awarded by the Open College Network. They also hold seminars throughout the year on a wide range of topics.
Financial generosity is essential to enable the good work of this local charity to continue. Listening Post also welcomes our individual and church prayer support both for it’s organisation and it’s clients.
Registered charity no: 1013442
Contact details: Tel 01242 256060 or 01452 383820
Email: lpostcounselling@tesco.net
Internet: http://www.listeningpost.org.uk/
Many people go through a time when they unable to resolve their difficulties themselves. Sharing concerns with a counsellor can help to get them into perspective. The work aims to help the client gain a perspective that will enable them to move towards a solution to their problems that they find acceptable.
The service relies on donations and there are no fixed charges. There is an expectation that a realistic contribution will be made but no one is refused help because they cannot afford to make a donation. The recession has meant a huge increase in clients who are affected by financial problems which runs alongside a decrease in client and other donations.
All Listening Post counsellors have trained for at least two years on a nationally recognised course. Training is on-going and experienced, trained supervisors regularly supervise all counsellors.
Anyone seeking counselling can telephone Gloucester, Cheltenham or Stroud. A trained receptionist will take brief details and offer an initial assessment appointment with an experienced counsellor. If the person decides to attend regular counselling sessions a counsellor will make contact in a few weeks.
Listening Post invite individuals and churches to join them in their work. While trained volunteers do most of their work, they do need a regular income to pay for salaries, rent, heat, light and administration costs. Listening Post runs counselling courses which meet nationally recognised standards. Credits are currently awarded by the Open College Network. They also hold seminars throughout the year on a wide range of topics.
Financial generosity is essential to enable the good work of this local charity to continue. Listening Post also welcomes our individual and church prayer support both for it’s organisation and it’s clients.
Registered charity no: 1013442
Contact details: Tel 01242 256060 or 01452 383820
Email: lpostcounselling@tesco.net
Internet: http://www.listeningpost.org.uk/
Thursday 9 September 2010
September and Harvest Giving - Oné Respé
This month, and particularly at our Harvest Service, the charity the church is supporting is Onè Respé, based in the Dominican Republic.
Onè Respé is a small Dominican organisation that works alongside some of the poorest people living in the Dominican Republic (DR). The DR shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and over many years, Haitians have migrated to the DR to look for work and to flee the desperate poverty that has long been endemic in that country. The DR itself is poor (the sun kissed beaches of the travel brochures only tell a small part of the story!), and the influx of up to a million Haitians over many years has put a strain on this small country and its people. Sadly, racism and prejudice are rife in the DR, and the migrant workers are the poorest and most marginalised members of society, living in appalling poverty and often unable to access basic services such as health and education.
Onè Respé (Haitian Creole for, "Honour and Respect") was established in an attempt to change this. Onè Respé supports these marginalised communities within both the capital Santo Domingo and the second city Santiago. It offers an education for children (running a number of schools), supports people as they seek to access health services (often denied them by the government because of their "migrant" status), and educates people in a range of life skills, from good parenting to HIV/Aids prevention. Perhaps most crucially, Onè Respé provides a focal point for these marginalised communities, giving them a sense of purpose and belonging. Community meetings are an opportunity to air views and share information, and these are led by members of the community themselves.
As you may know, the Congregational Federation has agreed to work with Christian Aid to support Onè Respé for a three year period. We are now in the third year of that partnership.
The events of the Haitian earthquake in January have only exacerbated the levels of poverty suffered by the Haitian people and are likely to stretch the resources of organisations such as Onè Respé. There can never have been a more important time for us to be supporting this important work.
Philip Clarke
Philip, is from Southam and Bishops Itchington Congregational Church, in Warwickshire, and he will be joining us for our morning worship on Harvest Sunday to share some of his experiences in the Dominican Republic, and to tell us more about the work of Onè Respé.
Mary Michael
Onè Respé is a small Dominican organisation that works alongside some of the poorest people living in the Dominican Republic (DR). The DR shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and over many years, Haitians have migrated to the DR to look for work and to flee the desperate poverty that has long been endemic in that country. The DR itself is poor (the sun kissed beaches of the travel brochures only tell a small part of the story!), and the influx of up to a million Haitians over many years has put a strain on this small country and its people. Sadly, racism and prejudice are rife in the DR, and the migrant workers are the poorest and most marginalised members of society, living in appalling poverty and often unable to access basic services such as health and education.
Onè Respé (Haitian Creole for, "Honour and Respect") was established in an attempt to change this. Onè Respé supports these marginalised communities within both the capital Santo Domingo and the second city Santiago. It offers an education for children (running a number of schools), supports people as they seek to access health services (often denied them by the government because of their "migrant" status), and educates people in a range of life skills, from good parenting to HIV/Aids prevention. Perhaps most crucially, Onè Respé provides a focal point for these marginalised communities, giving them a sense of purpose and belonging. Community meetings are an opportunity to air views and share information, and these are led by members of the community themselves.
As you may know, the Congregational Federation has agreed to work with Christian Aid to support Onè Respé for a three year period. We are now in the third year of that partnership.
The events of the Haitian earthquake in January have only exacerbated the levels of poverty suffered by the Haitian people and are likely to stretch the resources of organisations such as Onè Respé. There can never have been a more important time for us to be supporting this important work.
Philip Clarke
Philip, is from Southam and Bishops Itchington Congregational Church, in Warwickshire, and he will be joining us for our morning worship on Harvest Sunday to share some of his experiences in the Dominican Republic, and to tell us more about the work of Onè Respé.
Mary Michael
Wednesday 21 July 2010
August: County Community Projects
CCP (County Community Projects), an independent registered charity, established in October 1989, exists to improve the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable adults with multiple and complex needs across Gloucestershire. We promote and support healthy living, help maintain a safe and stable home environment, encourage and support learning and achievement, promote respect and positive social behaviour and encourage personal economic sustainability.
We specialise in engaging with people at the extremes, people who have nowhere left to turn. This includes people excluded from statutory services because they don’t fit the criteria, or who don’t score highly enough to qualify for help, or who are deemed as being too difficult to work with. We rely a great deal on the goodwill of volunteers to help us to help others. The following are just some of our current projects we need help with.
We have three outdoor activity sites that need the enthusiasm and gardening skills of as many volunteers as possible. The Breakthrough project is in Mead Road, Leckhampton; we have a large allotment at Hayden Road, Swindon Village; and at the Sue Ryder Hospice in Church Road, Leckhampton, we have the use of a small copse where we will be creating a woodland village. Volunteering at one of our outdoor projects will give you the opportunity to help and support young people by passing on your knowledge and expertise, not just of the task in hand, but life experiences too. We would love to hear from you! Contact Simon on 07890 947562.
It is a well-known fact that music can be of great therapeutic value. The CCP Musical Youth recording studio at our Education Centre in Grove Street aims to engage and motivate young people and make music more accessible to all. It is well used by disadvantaged youngsters, disabled youngsters, and community groups, and has already produced a number of talented musicians and singers.
On Friday 24th September we will be showcasing the talent of youngsters in Gloucestershire at the Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies College. There will be a drinks reception at 6pm, followed by an evening of entertainment from 7pm to 9pm. Headlining the evening, at which we will also be celebrating CCP’s 21st birthday, will be the original Musical Youth band, as well as music from some of the youngsters who use the recording studio, a raffle and an auction.
Tickets for the event can be bought for £15 (minimum). This would be a great way for you to support CCP and be entertained at the same time! All proceeds from the evening will go towards the continuing development of CCP Musical Youth so that more disadvantaged and disabled young people from Gloucestershire can benefit from this wonderful resource. Contact Heather on 01242 228999 ext 101 for tickets, to buy raffle tickets or to donate something for the raffle and auction.
For further information about these projects and other projects you might like to be involved in, please have a look at the CCP Newsletter (copies are available in the church), our website www.ccprojects.org.uk, or contact Semonetta, our Volunteers Manager, on 01242 228999 109.
Dr Heather Sheridan
We specialise in engaging with people at the extremes, people who have nowhere left to turn. This includes people excluded from statutory services because they don’t fit the criteria, or who don’t score highly enough to qualify for help, or who are deemed as being too difficult to work with. We rely a great deal on the goodwill of volunteers to help us to help others. The following are just some of our current projects we need help with.
We have three outdoor activity sites that need the enthusiasm and gardening skills of as many volunteers as possible. The Breakthrough project is in Mead Road, Leckhampton; we have a large allotment at Hayden Road, Swindon Village; and at the Sue Ryder Hospice in Church Road, Leckhampton, we have the use of a small copse where we will be creating a woodland village. Volunteering at one of our outdoor projects will give you the opportunity to help and support young people by passing on your knowledge and expertise, not just of the task in hand, but life experiences too. We would love to hear from you! Contact Simon on 07890 947562.
It is a well-known fact that music can be of great therapeutic value. The CCP Musical Youth recording studio at our Education Centre in Grove Street aims to engage and motivate young people and make music more accessible to all. It is well used by disadvantaged youngsters, disabled youngsters, and community groups, and has already produced a number of talented musicians and singers.
On Friday 24th September we will be showcasing the talent of youngsters in Gloucestershire at the Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies College. There will be a drinks reception at 6pm, followed by an evening of entertainment from 7pm to 9pm. Headlining the evening, at which we will also be celebrating CCP’s 21st birthday, will be the original Musical Youth band, as well as music from some of the youngsters who use the recording studio, a raffle and an auction.
Tickets for the event can be bought for £15 (minimum). This would be a great way for you to support CCP and be entertained at the same time! All proceeds from the evening will go towards the continuing development of CCP Musical Youth so that more disadvantaged and disabled young people from Gloucestershire can benefit from this wonderful resource. Contact Heather on 01242 228999 ext 101 for tickets, to buy raffle tickets or to donate something for the raffle and auction.
For further information about these projects and other projects you might like to be involved in, please have a look at the CCP Newsletter (copies are available in the church), our website www.ccprojects.org.uk, or contact Semonetta, our Volunteers Manager, on 01242 228999 109.
Dr Heather Sheridan
Saturday 3 July 2010
July's Charity - the Knole
I cannot prepare an article about this charity without having Adrian Stanley very much in my thoughts. He is an example of how someone’s life continues to influence others even after their death. Still remembered, still loved and admired.
The Langley House Trust is a Christian Charity and registered Social Landlord specialising in providing residential resettlement for ex-offenders, those at risk of offending and the marginalised homeless. I quote directly from their leaflet "How you can help us turn lives around" which is available, with other literature, in the porch this month.
"Since 1958 the Langley House Trust has been working tirelessly to draw alongside individuals nobody else wants to know. In the early days we worked exclusively with male prison leavers who had no family and lacked the skills to secure employment on release. Today we also work with women, have two dedicated Drug Rehabilitation Centres as well as our other projects, and have recently extended our work to include the marginalised homeless (men and women who may not have a background of offending).
As you can imagine, we do not attract he same sympathy as other charities, but our work really does change lives and we believe it is a practical expression of God’s redemptive activity. When we help an individual to make a fresh start, learn new skills to enable them to work towards employment and live responsibility in society, this also has a beneficial effect on relationships with their family and others around them.
We could tell you many wonderful stories of lives rebuilt and hearts changed! It is easy to turn away from this challenging, often demanding work and yet Jesus, our Saviour, offered a fresh start to the criminal crucified beside Him.
The Bible tells us He showed love and concern for those on the margins of society, including those who had committed offences and those who had nowhere to live. We often forget that ‘He made many such individuals His friends’. Whilst Jesus did not ever condone the offence (and neither do we), He did offer acceptance, forgiveness and the possibility of a new beginning. In essence, surely that is what Christianity is all about?"
Registered Social Landlord No. H4250 Registered Charity No. 290059
For more information about the Knole click here
For more information on the Langley House trust click here.
The Langley House Trust is a Christian Charity and registered Social Landlord specialising in providing residential resettlement for ex-offenders, those at risk of offending and the marginalised homeless. I quote directly from their leaflet "How you can help us turn lives around" which is available, with other literature, in the porch this month.
"Since 1958 the Langley House Trust has been working tirelessly to draw alongside individuals nobody else wants to know. In the early days we worked exclusively with male prison leavers who had no family and lacked the skills to secure employment on release. Today we also work with women, have two dedicated Drug Rehabilitation Centres as well as our other projects, and have recently extended our work to include the marginalised homeless (men and women who may not have a background of offending).
As you can imagine, we do not attract he same sympathy as other charities, but our work really does change lives and we believe it is a practical expression of God’s redemptive activity. When we help an individual to make a fresh start, learn new skills to enable them to work towards employment and live responsibility in society, this also has a beneficial effect on relationships with their family and others around them.
We could tell you many wonderful stories of lives rebuilt and hearts changed! It is easy to turn away from this challenging, often demanding work and yet Jesus, our Saviour, offered a fresh start to the criminal crucified beside Him.
The Bible tells us He showed love and concern for those on the margins of society, including those who had committed offences and those who had nowhere to live. We often forget that ‘He made many such individuals His friends’. Whilst Jesus did not ever condone the offence (and neither do we), He did offer acceptance, forgiveness and the possibility of a new beginning. In essence, surely that is what Christianity is all about?"
Registered Social Landlord No. H4250 Registered Charity No. 290059
For more information about the Knole click here
For more information on the Langley House trust click here.
Sunday 6 June 2010
June's Charity - The Cheltenham Blind Club
Cheltenham Blind Club meets at
Highbury on the first Wednesday
afternoon of each month. It’s aim is to
enable people who are blind or visually
impaired to meet for companionship
and friendship.
Members come through referral from
Social Services or by word of mouth,
perhaps through having a friend who
is also a member. Whilst the sociability
of the club is of paramount
importance, each meeting will have
activities or a special speaker.
Recent entertainment has included a
local poet, Dave Walton, a talk on
Japan and an opportunity to revisit
memorabilia from the 40s and 50s
brought along by two ladies who have
retired from their work in the museum.
The varied programme has also given
members chance to enjoy a musical
experience and a light-hearted quiz.
June will explore the origins of nursery
rhymes, and July will have a seasonal
strawberries and cream flavour.
The club has the potential for 25
members of whom the majority are
elderly. This means that besides the
problems of visual impairment many
also have hearing loss and mobility
problems. These general health
problems increase the risk of
loneliness and isolation.
Transport is needed to and from the
club and this is where the greatest
financial need lies. Members who are
brought by taxi pay £4 (which includes
their contribution towards
refreshments) whilst other members
pay £1. They are grateful for the
understanding and reliable services
given by the taxis that are used, the
drivers are described as “superb and
helpful”. Some volunteers also help
with the transport.
The club is now run by John Mould
with his wife Patricia who heard about
the club through a friend at Trinity
Church. John has expressed his
gratitude to the regular voluntary
helpers Lillian, Pat, Valerie, Jenny and
Claire.
Money that we raise will be especially
used to help with subsidising transport
costs as well as helping towards fees
and donations to the speakers. There
are currently places for some more
members so if you know of someone
(of any age) who would like to know
more, they should contact either John
Mould: 01386 443352 or Celia Kelly:
01242 221170.
Chosen Charity for June:
Cheltenham Blind Club
PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS - please contact Lorraine Gasside (239838).
Please remember the Cheltenham Blind Club in your prayers -
its members, the organisers - John and Patricia, the taxi drivers,
all the volunteers, and those who speak or ‘entertain’
Highbury on the first Wednesday
afternoon of each month. It’s aim is to
enable people who are blind or visually
impaired to meet for companionship
and friendship.
Members come through referral from
Social Services or by word of mouth,
perhaps through having a friend who
is also a member. Whilst the sociability
of the club is of paramount
importance, each meeting will have
activities or a special speaker.
Recent entertainment has included a
local poet, Dave Walton, a talk on
Japan and an opportunity to revisit
memorabilia from the 40s and 50s
brought along by two ladies who have
retired from their work in the museum.
The varied programme has also given
members chance to enjoy a musical
experience and a light-hearted quiz.
June will explore the origins of nursery
rhymes, and July will have a seasonal
strawberries and cream flavour.
The club has the potential for 25
members of whom the majority are
elderly. This means that besides the
problems of visual impairment many
also have hearing loss and mobility
problems. These general health
problems increase the risk of
loneliness and isolation.
Transport is needed to and from the
club and this is where the greatest
financial need lies. Members who are
brought by taxi pay £4 (which includes
their contribution towards
refreshments) whilst other members
pay £1. They are grateful for the
understanding and reliable services
given by the taxis that are used, the
drivers are described as “superb and
helpful”. Some volunteers also help
with the transport.
The club is now run by John Mould
with his wife Patricia who heard about
the club through a friend at Trinity
Church. John has expressed his
gratitude to the regular voluntary
helpers Lillian, Pat, Valerie, Jenny and
Claire.
Money that we raise will be especially
used to help with subsidising transport
costs as well as helping towards fees
and donations to the speakers. There
are currently places for some more
members so if you know of someone
(of any age) who would like to know
more, they should contact either John
Mould: 01386 443352 or Celia Kelly:
01242 221170.
Chosen Charity for June:
Cheltenham Blind Club
PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS - please contact Lorraine Gasside (239838).
Please remember the Cheltenham Blind Club in your prayers -
its members, the organisers - John and Patricia, the taxi drivers,
all the volunteers, and those who speak or ‘entertain’
Saturday 1 May 2010
May Charity - Myasthenia Gravis Association
This month we are supporting suffers of a disease that is not well known and that can be embarassing and frightening for its sufferers and their families.
Myasthenia Gravis is an auto-immune disease which is characterised by fluctuating, sometimes fatal, muscle weakness. This means that the body’s immune system attacks and damages the nerve signal reception areas on the muscles. The nerve is not able to cause muscle contraction and the result is apparent weakness. As any muscles can be affected the symptoms can vary greatly and can be triggered by the onset of infection or stress of any kind, physical or emotional.
It can be difficult for a GP to diagnose and it is also hard for family and friends to understand that someone can seem perfectly normal one moment but droopy and listless only a few hours or even minutes later. Simple things that we take for granted like eating, seeing, talking and laughing can become difficult or even impossible.
Although it is rare under the age of 10, Myasthenia Gravis can affect anyone of any age, sex or race. Our local support group is working to raise awareness of the condition in children since its rarity makes it even harder to diagnose. Approximately one person in every ten thousand may be suffering from this disease in the UK at any one time.
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has headquarters in Derby. It works through regional organisers and local branches to offer support to people suffering from Myasthenia and their families. The Gloucestershire branch meets every four months when they will aim to address any problems that have arisen, share news of national events and, not least, go out for a meal together. The aim of meeting as a group is to create links with other people who understand what the sufferer is going through. It is also a valuable opportunity to share experience of available treatment. Having established a contact it can be invaluable to have a friendly voice at the end of the phone in times of difficulty.
Fundraising is important to raise funds for research. Recent research has resulted in better understanding and management of the disease but there is not yet a cure.
Click here to go to the Myasthenia Gravis Association
Myasthenia Gravis is an auto-immune disease which is characterised by fluctuating, sometimes fatal, muscle weakness. This means that the body’s immune system attacks and damages the nerve signal reception areas on the muscles. The nerve is not able to cause muscle contraction and the result is apparent weakness. As any muscles can be affected the symptoms can vary greatly and can be triggered by the onset of infection or stress of any kind, physical or emotional.
It can be difficult for a GP to diagnose and it is also hard for family and friends to understand that someone can seem perfectly normal one moment but droopy and listless only a few hours or even minutes later. Simple things that we take for granted like eating, seeing, talking and laughing can become difficult or even impossible.
Although it is rare under the age of 10, Myasthenia Gravis can affect anyone of any age, sex or race. Our local support group is working to raise awareness of the condition in children since its rarity makes it even harder to diagnose. Approximately one person in every ten thousand may be suffering from this disease in the UK at any one time.
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has headquarters in Derby. It works through regional organisers and local branches to offer support to people suffering from Myasthenia and their families. The Gloucestershire branch meets every four months when they will aim to address any problems that have arisen, share news of national events and, not least, go out for a meal together. The aim of meeting as a group is to create links with other people who understand what the sufferer is going through. It is also a valuable opportunity to share experience of available treatment. Having established a contact it can be invaluable to have a friendly voice at the end of the phone in times of difficulty.
Fundraising is important to raise funds for research. Recent research has resulted in better understanding and management of the disease but there is not yet a cure.
Click here to go to the Myasthenia Gravis Association
Sunday 4 April 2010
April Cheltenham Youth for Christ
As ever, Cheltenham YFC are busy
working away in Pittville, Kingsmead
and Christ College. Each week we
work with approximately 200 young
people, of whom we work more closely
with 50 young people. Our schools’
work continues to include lunchtime
detached, after school clubs, PE
lessons and other work as required.
Over the next term we will also be
starting our youth prayer initiative
called ‘Underground’.
We are currently trying to recruit
twelve young people who we will train
in personal evangelism and in how to
lead a small prayer group. These
young people will start a prayer group
with their friends, praying for their
friends to come to know Christ. Our
hope is to recruit a generation of
young people praying for their friends
and sharing the gospel with them. It
will take a number of years to
establish ‘Underground’ and finding
the right young people to start with is
a key part of this process. Please pray
for us as we find the first group of
young people, and pray that God will
strengthen them and equip them in
what could prove to be a key work
amongst young people in the town.
Following on from the Annecy
Challenge last year, when we raised
£15,000, we are looking to recruit an
additional member of staff who can
head up our new sports project. Whilst
being involved in our regular work,
especially the PE lessons, the new
worker will be responsible for
establishing a multi-sport club for
young people where we will use sport
to engage them with the gospel.
Initially the club will be launched in the
Hatherley area with a view to
expanding to other sites in the future.
Trying to launch two significant
projects at similar times is quite
ambitious, not least as we need to
develop our income over the next few
years to make them both sustainable.
Despite this we are convinced God is
in both these projects and are excited
at all that he will achieve through
them. Our top priorities for prayer are
a new treasurer, strength and favour
to ensure we can make everything
happen in time for both projects,
increased income to allow us to
expand our work to help us reach
more than 200 young people each
week, and that young people will
come to meet and know the living God.
Sunday 28 February 2010
March: Cheltenham MS Society
Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system. The severity of the disease varies markedly among sufferers and is characterised by a multiple, patchy pattern of disabilities. These may vary in site and time with unpredictable episodes of disease activity and remission. It often starts in early adult life and the type of long-term damage it causes will depend on which part of the nervous system has been affected.
The Cheltenham & North Cotswold Branch of the MS Society has been in existence since January 1984. This local group aims to be self-supporting, although allied to the National Society, and are very appreciative of our help. They are very clear that any money raised locally is used locally. There is a very strong emphasis on welfare and support for the whole family. Funds are short at the moment and the group is anxious to be able to continue to help with respite care which gives such a valuable rest to the carer. With the awareness that suffers of MS may have young families there is concern for the needs of these young carers, and they have a specific young carers fund. Young carers are being helped towards the cost of driving lessons, as this is such a valuable skill for them to acquire. Money is also made available for people with MS who want to access further education.
The Society wishes to be accessible for anyone affected by MS and can be easily contacted. A monthly newsletter is produced and they are very active and hold regular meetings for members. Carers are invited to coffee mornings at accessible local venues such as garden centres or supermarkets. The social group for younger or newly diagnosed people is thriving and they have regular meetings. Hydrotherapy classes are held at the Leonard Cheshire Home. Exercises groups include a conductive education class and a physiotherapy class. These are run by professionals and are therefore expensive for the support group to provide. Sadly the current shortage of funds means that some other initiatives have had to be put on hold to meet the identified priorities, so I hope we can play a generous part.
If anyone would like to help on a voluntary basis please ring the Branch Contact on: 01452 862822.
Friday 12 February 2010
February: Christian Aid's Haiti Appeal
As you will be aware, a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti late on 12th January. The epicentre was just to the south of the capital Port-au-Prince, causing devastation across the city and beyond, wrecking buildings, and thousands of people are reported homeless, missing or dead. This is the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in two centuries, and is a terrible event with wide ranging consequences for the people and country as a whole. As well as being a humanitarian tragedy, the impact will be all the more severe on Haiti given its position as the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world.
Christian Aid has an office in Haiti, based in Port au Prince, from which it co-ordinates work across the country. It also has an office in the Dominican Republic and the two offices work together on a range of projects. When the Congregational Federation Team visited the Dominican Republic in November they spent a week with the two Christian Aid Managers, Prospery Raymond (Haiti) and Sophie Richmond (Dominican Republic). Amongst the many buildings destroyed in the earthquake was the Christian Aid offices in Haiti, but thankfully Prospery was not injured. His concern now is that there is not enough food in the country to feed the people, nor drinking water.
It is too early to say how long it will take for the country to get back on its feet, but it is estimated that the cost of repairs could run into billions of dollars.
What can we do? Our response at Highbury is to make the Christian Aid Appeal for Haiti our Chosen Charity for February.
Also, to pray for everybody affected by the earthquake; to give thanks for the safety of Christian Aid staff in Haiti and ask for them, and all those helping with the disaster effort, to have strength and courage to deal with their own personal and country-wide loss ....
Loving God of creation,
at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti.
When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved,
honoured and precious in your sight.
We remember all those who have been hurt;
all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.
Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives,
peace to those who have been thrown into despair,
light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear.
We ask this in the name of Jesus in whom all life and grace is found. Amen.
“Prayer for Haiti” comes from Christian Aid.
Sunday 17 January 2010
January - Cheltenham Street Pastors
Cheltenham Street Pastors launched on the town’s streets on Saturday 5th December 2009 after a Commissioning Service for volunteers on 1st December.
The project came about as a result of God’s call on four lay people in Gloucestershire a little more than eighteen months ago. It was clear to these individuals God was calling them to bring new and effective Christian work to the streets of our County. Church leaders in Cheltenham were working towards ecumenical cohesion and outreach too, and God pulled everyone together in prayerful action.
Cheltenham Street Pastors are based on the work of the Ascension Trust which began in London in 2003 as an inter-denominational church response to urban problems. They aim to engage with people on the streets to care, listen and enter into dialogue.
A Street Pastor needs to be over 18, a church member and able to commit to a twelve session training course. The course includes subjects such as counseling skills, drugs awareness, sociology, knowing your community, role and responsibility, and street safety.
Each Street Pastor will have a concern for society, in particular with young people, and will be wiling to engage with people where they are in terms of their thinking and location. They will be working with other agencies and projects to look at collaborative ways of working on issues affecting young people and building trust. The role is not about preaching but is one of listening, caring and helping in an unconditional way.
We have supported the vision of forming a team of Street Pastors with our prayers since it was first brought up at Church Meeting for our consideration. Now is the appropriate time to offer our financial help as our chosen charity.
Recruitment and training of a second team is under way and funding is needed to help with training expenses and necessary equipment for the volunteers.
If you would like to apply to become a Street Pastor in Cheltenham or to support the teams through prayer or other practical help please contact Howard Bartlett on 01242 231644 or cheltenham@streetpastors.org.uk
For more information on Cheltenham Street Pastors go to the Cheltenham Page on The Street Pastors Web Page
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