St Mary's Twyford, St James Ruscombe, and the United Reformed Church, Twyford

     Missions and Charities

                                                Home page                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  Christian Aid ........... we take part in all the major fund raising events organized by Christian Aid over the year. In May, Christian Aid week is particularly important, with house to house collections throughout the village and many local community groups running their own fund-raising event. The week is marked by a Christian Aid service at St. Mary's Church. There is also a Christian Aid focus at Christmas time when donations are invited for particular appeals.

Link to Christian Aid website

Back to Mission                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                  

John Nicholson.............once a resident of the parish, John is now involved in arranging sponsorship for people and projects in Romania and Sri Lanka. In Slobozia,  Romania, John has pioneered a project helping handicapped boys who are now too old to live in the orphanage in which they were brought up, but are unable to look after themselves. He also provides support in other areas such as educational materials and medical care.

Back to Mission 

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Yeldall Christian Centres ...............Yeldall Manor is a Christian rehabiliation centre in Hare Hatch (just on the outskirts of Twyford and Ruscombe).  It is home to up to 35 men who want to overcome their drug or alcohol addictions.  Yeldall welcomes visitors to its annual Open Day, quarterly Celebrations and monthly prayer meetings.  To receive more information about the work call Sue Hedger at Yeldall Manor on 0118 940 1093 (or contact person within the church: Anne Greaves).

Back to Mission 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Church Mission Society

CMS is the Anglican Church’s mission agency working in partnership with churches in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Established in 1799, the Society’s goal remains the same today ~ to spread the gospel to every part of the world.

Many people in our congregations had the opportunity to meet PATRICK, HELEN & JONATHAN MUKHOLI when they visited our Family Service in the URC a few months ago.

Patrick and Helen are CMS Mission Partners, from Kenya, working in the Blackbird Leys estate, in Oxford. They have been involved in the Estate since January 2003.

It has been encouraging for Patrick & Helen to see some of the young people gradually thaw to their presence and help at the Blackbird Leys Saturday School project. It has also been daunting, yet thrilling, to be involved in the schools—learning about the whims and aspirations of the students. Patrick & Helen are also volunteers with the Home-Start program which works with young families, while Helen has also been involved in the an After School Club and a volunteer reading program.

We at Ruscome/Twyford are Link Partners with the Mukholi’s—supporting them financially and in prayer, and possibly in other practical support.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Thank God for the settling-in period in which we have learned, and continue to learn, much. Pray that we will become sensitive to the needs and interests of the young people around us.

Thank God for Jonathan’s promotion to another Maths class. Pray that he will find the studies interesting and that he will choose wisely how to use his time and energy.

Thank God for the growing group that now meets regularly (at the Church of the Holy Family) for PS2 games and music mixing. Pray that we will be able to fill the two hours with appropriate and interesting activities with that ultimate aim of relationship building, and mentoring.

Pray with us for wisdom as we set short and long term goals with Sam.

Pray that God would provide teammates and volunteers. We would like fellow learners who have a heart for youth.

Thank God for the opportunity to meet, establish contacts, and strengthen relationships with young people at the Cowley Shopping Centre. We hope to do some strategic detached work in the coming years.

Thank God for the opportunities to take turns at class assemblies at Peers High School. Pray for the much needed wisdom and caution to maintain the delicate working relationship with the administration.

The Saturday Club is still ‘homeless’. Pray that this much needed service will find a venue sooner rather than later.

 

Link to CMS Website

Back to Mission                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Wycliffe Bible Translators ............we  maintained a personal link with Ian and Gill Cheffy throughout their ten years living and working in Cameroon. They have now returned to the UK for their children to complete their education. Now based at the Wycliffe Centre in High Wycombe, they are teaching new members as they prepare to go overseas. Ian says 'There are millions of people around the world who cannot read or write. It's as if I can help more people now than ever before through the new literacy workers I am training.'

Back to Mission                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                      

F.A.I.T.H.~Feed all in thy hand

What is F.A.I.T.H.? This organisation is a group of dedicated volunteers, mostly from church congregations in the Reading area, who are committed to fighting physical, emotional and spiritual poverty. Those involved share the good news of Jesus Christ whilst demonstrating love, care and practical service.

THE CANDLE TEA BAR has replaced the Sunday afternoon soup kitchen. The Candle Tea Bar is a custom built food van which is used to do a whole range of evangelism and outreach, including the Reading Festival and West Reading Carnival, as well as other local events. The soup kitchen has gone mobile, taking ‘church’ out into the streets!

GIVING TIME Would you like to get involved with FAITH on a regular basis—either daytime or evening for one hour, or even more? Here are some ways you can be involved:

Befriending individuals in their own accommodation.......On the soup run in the evenings........Boxing food parcels........At the Candle Tea Bar on Sunday afternoons, or Friday evenings........In the office doing admin........Helping someone decorate their home........Updating/maintaining the FAITH website

effective prayer

Thank God for…the new offices in London Street (being shared with Lifeline) - the bumper Harvest, and the individuals, churches and schools who gave - the relationships being built in Whitley on Fridays - those who have recently joined as volunteers - for the new drop-in, The Answer, which has started in Whitely.

And pray for…Money and volunteers to run the Stepping Stones project (shelter for the homeless) - give thanks that a building has become available for use. - a new van - The trustees, as they look to the future - MORE volunteers to come on board!

Link to F.A.I.T.H. website                                                                         

Back to Mission 

                                      

PACT~

PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER

PACT PARENT HOUSE ~

At the PACT Parents House in Bracknell staff sometimes feel incredibly challenged as they seek to build up relationships and work alongside the resident young mums.

All residents have a key worker for individual work sessions and regular house meetings are also held.  A weekly 'late evening' is held, when staff, residents and dads/partners come together for a shared cooked meal in a relaxed atmosphere. 

There are also some volunteer babysitters who allow the mums an occasional trip out for a meal or cinema visit.

Welcome support is received from the Mother's Union as well as other local groups and individuals who donate goods or money.  Equally welcome is the funding received from a Health Initiative on Teenage Pregnancy.

In October a lovely new residence in Bracknell was opened. The new house is home to up to seven young mums with their babies. The mums are eligible to stay for up to two years, although the average length of stay is nine months.

PRAYER needs ~

Pray that staff will have PATIENCE!

Pray that staff will respond appropriately to the various situations which arise, to meet each individual’s requirements.

Also pray for guidance for staff—pray they will think quickly when necessary.

Pray for the relationship between the young mum’s in residence ~ that they will treat each other with dignity and respect.

Pray that these young women will develop healthy self-esteem.

Pray for protection of the young mums. Some people will take advantage of their vulnerability.

VOLUNTEERING OPTIONS ~

The PACT Parents House in Bracknell have many needs and would appreciate volunteer support.

Some of the areas where volunteers could help include: babysitting, DIY, conducting courses, transport for hospital appointments.

If you’d like to know more, contact the PACT Parent House on 01344 453 236.

When the young mums leave the PACT Parent House, they are given a Moving Pack which consists of: washing up bowl, dish drainer, dish brush, scouring pads, tea towels, bucket, mop, dishcloths, dusters, dustpan and brush, washing powder, washing up liquid PLUS something special for their new home & a card.

If you, or your group, would like to donate a Moving Pack, contact the PACT House.

 

Back to Mission