World Mission
The Congregation tries very hard to maintain an awareness of the wider world and its issues. We do this through personal contact and experience.
In recent years we have fostered links between ourselves and the Bishop Barham University in Uganda, sending some £1,500 to help establish a Library in the name of the late Rev Dr Peter Williams, a member of our Congregation and the University’s first Principal. Also, building on the links established by Dr Williams, we have twice hosted visits from the Rev Canon Sam Mfitumukiza of Uganda.
We have supported a number of international charities including Sight Savers and Christian Aid. Links built through Laura Pole, one of our members studying medicine, with Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi has resulted in the congregation sending money to support this hospital’s work.
We respond as required to various natural disasters and in 2005 built upon links established between our own Congregation and 1st Presbyterian Church, Brighton, Michigan, to send money to help with support for Hurricane Katrina Victims.
Support has been given to a Texas Baptist Church’s work in Peru. John Gilmour, a retired doctor, has family links with the Congregation and joined their work party.
One of our parishioners, Rev Alastair Morrice, is currently serving with Interserve / Church of Scotland in Bishkek in Kirgizstan.
Dr Anne Weatherhead’s friendship with Karen Anderson in Tabitha School has also fostered bonds. Anne herself spent some weeks in Israel at the start of the new millennium.
Our Sunday School also actively supports various specific projects through Christian Aid and our BB Company likewise.
And, we run a Fairtrade counter from our Office which has an annual turn over of between £1,500 and £2,000 per year.