Report on the work of Christian Aid 2014

Christian Aid Bideford meets in the Fellowship Room at the Baptist Church at 7pm on Mondays, 5 or 6 times a year. There are usually 7 or 8 committee members from various churches in the town present. The meetings begin with a prayer led by the chairperson. I represent the Sacred Heart Parish.

The Agenda is strictly adhered to and meetings last 1 hour. It is during these meetings that all fund raising events are discussed and planned. The secretary also informs us of Christian Aid Events at a national level. Here in Bideford we hold the following:-

March/April - Lent Lunches. A big thank you to the parishioners who gave their support - £380 was raised

May - Christian Aid Week. This involves door to door and street collections. At the Sacred Heart we have a 2^nd collection at weekend Masses as we do not have door to door collectors as other churches do. This year we raised £231.60. The total for Bideford was £2,810.72. Again many thanks for your generosity.

July/August - a Christian Aid Quiz was held at Lavington Church. This year Gerald Crowe was the Quiz Master again. We had a bring and share support and raffle. £182.20 was raised.

September - This year the Safari Supper started off in our new Parish Room. A big thanks to the Sacred Heart ladies group who provided the refreshments. Over one third of the people attending came from the Sacred Heart parish. Thanks to all who supported this - £509 was raised.

December - this year ends with a Christmas Carol Concert involving choirs from local schools. This is held at the Methodist church in the High Street. This year it will be on Tuesday 2^nd December at 7pm. Always a most enjoyable evening.

Christian Aid Hunger for Justice Weekend is being held at Northam Methodist Church on Saturday 18^th October 10am to 5pm. Details are on the notice board in our church.

Eileen Crowe

(Information provided for the Parish In Council Meeting October 2014)