​Christmas Giving to Those in Need

Our Church family is always extremely generous in giving at Christmas to our chosen charities, and for that we thank you. This year we will be supporting the following:

Boaz Trust with gifts of bags, gloves and hats, toiletries etc. Boaz was our Charity of the Year in 2016. Based in Manchester, they work with refugees and asylum seekers, offering night shelter, accommodation, English and other classes, and legal assistance with asylum applications. A vital service for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. boaztrust.org.uk/

The socks and underpants from our sock tree go to Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH). They provide food, clothing and warm bedding to those living on the streets in Chester, or in temporary hostel accommodation. With the changes to Universal Credit adding to the many problems some of these people face, the situation is not likely to get better very soon, and CATH is always very grateful for what we send. Any items they cannot use will go to the Salvation Army.

The cash collection at our Carols by Candlelight service on December 17th is for Action for Children. Founded by Methodist minister Rev'd. Thomas Bowman Stephenson nearly 150 years ago, the organisation originally ran orphanages, of which the home in Kingsley Road, Frodsham, was one. Today all residential homes have closed, but the charity continues to help many thousands of children through its day centres, Sure Start schemes, playgroups, and one-to-one support for individual young people and families.

On Christmas Day we will be supporting Christian Aid, whose work is wellknown. Their Christmas appeal this year centres on South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, where years of conflict and drought have led to huge problems. Famine was narrowly avoided this year, but still more than 6 million people are severely malnourished. Our gifts will help towards alleviating this problem, and the UK government has pledged to match our giving pound for pound – an opportunity not to be missed!