Christian Aid

Christian Aid Committee Work

Adapted from an article by Wendy Austin

In this introduction to the Christian Aid Committee, I am inviting you to look back with me at its activities over the years that I have been attending Emmanuel. The Christian Aid Committee is formed from Churches Together in Bungay and is actively engaged in raising funds for the work of Christian Aid in the poorest and most traumatised places in the world. The Committee is also active in keeping the needs of the most vulnerable and poor before us who have so much in terms of wealth and security. The response of the folk of Bungay is always generous and enthusiastic.

Thirty-two years ago Vi Green was the local Christian Aid Organiser and a splendid job she did. Each year she ran, with her helpers, a shop open daily for the whole week. The empty Methodist Church Hall in Trinity Street would be filled with furniture, clocks, garden equipment, electrical gadgets, nearly-new clothes, arts and crafts etc., and raised a tidy sum. Each year Vi made it plain that last year's total had to be passed and lost no opportunity to speak severely on the subject lest her listeners should become complacent.

Following after Vi Green, Madge and Bob Gibbs arranged to sell goods in one of the empty shops in the High Street, again continuing through the whole week, and they were very successful too and did this for several years. Over the same period house-to-house collections continued and special events were held.

When Charity Shops became permanent and open all day each week they forced a change in the activities planned for Christian Aid Week. More emphasis was put on novelty events: sponsored silences, plant stalls, Bring & Buys, Concerts, etc. The response from the public was loyal and supportive and we still continue to raise around £2,000 in Christian Aid Week each year. Other activities continue throughout the year, raising further funds.

Each year we continue to hold the kind of events that people will enjoy and contribute to. These days we receive frequent urgent appeals from Christian Aid , often four or more times during the year, because of natural disasters or people's inhumanity, and these deserve our response too. We do whatever we can and deeply appreciate the support of the local community and churches.

We would gladly welcome fresh faces on our Committee, people who would be willing to share in our enthusiastic commitment to this valuable and significant work.