Welcome to the web site of Christ Church URC, Rayleigh

Community Involvement

Social Justice                                      Romania

Social Justice

Christ Church United Reformed Church believes strongly in campaigning for and promoting issues of social justice and below are examples of some of the ways that we do this: Overseas Aid We support Christian Aid Week by collecting house-to-house and also give financial support to a number of other organisations such as Sight Savers International, which finances cataract operations, and Commitment for Life, our current partner being Palestinian Territories. Fair Trade We regularly sell Traidcraft products in the church. We also supported Fair Trade Fortnight in March with a stall in Rayleigh High Street giving away free samples of Fair Trade products along with information. There was a great deal of interest from passers-by (particularly in the chocolate tasting) and many people were keen to find out more about how they could buy fairly traded goods. Christ Church has also committed itself to being a Fairtrade church by using fairly traded tea and coffee at its meetings and working towards using other fairly traded products. It is our aim to work towards Rayleigh becoming a Fairtrade town. World Peace Supporting activities organised by Southend Peace Group, the Week of Prayer for World Peace and One World Week. Sustainable Development For our Lent project, we collect 5p coins to donate to WaterAid. Small sums are able to relieve considerable suffering by the provision of clean water. Harvest For The Hungry project We supported Oxfam by collecting money to purchase animals and materials for use on farms in developing countries. We were also able to provide for the teaching to enable the best use to be made of these resources. Trade Justice Our church is supporting Christian Aid's Trade For Life campaign to bring about fair international trade rules that do not discriminate against poor countries. This is supported through sending postcards to key decision-makers such as the Prime Minister and Chancellor. We have, in the past, supported the Scales For Justice event, which involved lobbying our local MP to support the campaign and holding a tug-of-war in Rayleigh High Street to illustrate the inequality of international trade. Several members were closely involved in the Make Poverty History campaign. Local Projects We give practical support to such organisations as the Homeless Centre and Women's Refuge. Environmental Issues We are trying to make our church as 'green as possible, using study modules from the Ecocongregation. We are already recycling as much as possible and using energy saving light bulbs where we can. We aim to use as many eco-friendly products as is workable. Some of our house groups have been undertaking bible study using ecocongregation resources. Solar Panels at Christ Church Rayleigh As another way of showing concern for the environment, Christ Church is currently pursuing the installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) System to generate its electrical needs. The Church is intending to install a 10.8kwp PV system on the ideal south facing roof of its 100 year old recently refurbished building. The overall cost of the project is over £80.000. After installation it is estimated that Church would be carbon neutral for electrical generation, as excess electricity would be sold to the national grid in times of peak generation. It has already received planning permission from Rochford District Council to proceed. Part of the Church's objective is to raise awareness of energy sustainability and show its concern for the effects of global warming. Christ Church will do this in two ways: First, by example – by actually investing in PV technology and reducing its own carbon footprint. Few power-generation technologies have as little impact on the environment as photovoltaics. The system quietly generates electricity from light without producing air pollution or hazardous waste. Second, by actively pursuing efforts to educate the community. Part of the PV system includes a large public generation display showing the actual electricity generated and exported both currently and historically. This lends itself to be a tool to explain many of the issues regarding electricity generation. As the buildings are used as a community resource by many groups, the display monitor, posters and publicity brochures would highlight both the need for sustainable energy and the outcome of the PV system. The local press has already taken an interest in the project. The Southend Echo reported in September 2009 the move to install the PV system. It is expected further developments will also receive such positive publicity. See Southend Echo article.

Romania

Members of our congregation are involved in the charity Romanian Crestin Trust, which works with a Romanian sister organisation called Inima Reginei.

The church has supported this work in Romania since 1994.
Please e-mail for further information.

Registered Charity No. 1062964 Newsletter - MAY 2011 Unfortunately Wendy was unable to accompany me on this visit, which was a huge disappointment as she is not only very good company, but excellent with our youngsters. As usual, I will try to share with you some of the many blessings on what I can only describe as a most enjoyable and productive trip. Whilst our main activities are in Barlad, in north eastern Romania, our work actually starts in the capital, Bucharest, where we have the privilege to help a family who have a severely handicapped daughter. Delia, who is now 24 years old is a picture of contentment and happiness in a contorted physical body. Communication is through a series of gurgles, smiles and tears, when she is in pain or distress. Unable to move any part of her body, her family provide 24/7 care, with specially designed nappies, creams etc to alleviate sores. Food prepared to ensure nutrition and aid digestion.      Delia with her younger brother Alin Our annual donation is always gratefully received, but when I asked if there is any other practical way we could help, I was met with the request "concentrated prayer" - at first I struggled with the meaning, but knowing the family for a number of years, understand their overwhelming trust and faith in God. Our work with children who have cleft lip and palate problems continues - in July, Mr Fenton again visits Brasov, and we plan to send six children to see him, for further surgery and check ups. In 2009 I was introduced to a young girl at the orphanage who had suffered severe burns. Felicia who is now 8 years old is undergoing treatment in Brasov, and will be part of the July party. Most of our children are in foster care, and visiting them is a real pleasure, but the focus of the visit is to check up and report on development. Dental care is especially important for these youngsters - as well as advice and encouragement, we finance orthodontic treatment and where necessary speech therapy. Mihaela age 14 with her               Andreea age 9 - lives with       foster mother in Epureni               her grandmother in Barlad       This year we celebrate 10 years of our major project at the apartment, which is known as the "Inima" family. It is difficult to remember those young, vulnerable and frightened youngsters, who would sit at the dinner table, waiting and anxiously watching everyone. Mihai, Adriana, me (John),               After dinner it is time to relax      Dana, Gigel, and Adina                 and catch up on current affairs     As with all families, we have experienced our ups and downs, and two of our youngsters are now at the crucial stage of development in their education. Dana and Mihai sit their final diploma examinations in June, and then the daunting prospect of joining the 'working world' and continuing their education. Adina and Gigel both 18, are still working hard at college. Whilst many things have changed in Barlad over the years, there remain many poor people. We continue to help a small number of families through our ‘adopt a family’ project. Ioana with her mother        Visiting these families not only reminds us how fortunate we are to have basic facilities, but in some cases is a really humbling experience. Because of the material state, it is difficult to describe the block and living conditions of the Zanet family, but it is even more difficult to explain their amazing sense of peace, trust and faith in God. Every time I leave the small, cramped room in what I can only describe as a disgusting building, I am lost for words! If you would like to know more about our work in Romania, please contact one of the trustees:                 Val Byford THIS LEAFLET WAS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY: RICHARD POYNTZ ESTATE AGENTS, CANVEY ISLAND, ESSEX. Romanian Crestin Trust – IN ACTION – Registered Charity No. 1062964