“It is impossible to give faithful witness to the gospel while being indifferent to the situation of the hungry, the sick, the victims of human inhumanity.”
–Lesslie Newbigin
The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Commitment For Life
Commitment for Life enables URC Synods and local congregations to make global justice a key part of their mission. It encourages members to learn, pray, to take action and to give generously for some of the poorest people in the world. 75% of all income raised goes to Christian Aid, to be divided equally among the partner countries that the URC supports. 5% on Global Justice, which is a democratic social justice organisation and 20% on education, resources and administration. The partner countries are Bangladesh, Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory, and Zimbabwe.
For many years Jesmond URC has supported Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is home to 170 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It also hosts one of the largest refugee camps in Cox’s bazaar, where one million displaced people seek refuge. Over the years Christian Aid and their partners have helped and supported many in the refugee camp. However, beyond these many continue to suffer from deep rooted discrimination whether due to caste, religion, disability and other factors. CA and partners work tirelessly to advocate for communities and individuals who are marginalised and denied opportunities.
Here is Suhail’s story:
Suhail Mia, a 33 year old, living with physical and speech disabilities, was an outcast and was given the opportunity by Christian aid and partners to train in IT and discovered a talent for tech and computers. She was offered a job as a computer operator in her own community. Suhail’s life was transformed, she now works with the dignity and respect she always deserved.
This is just one example of the work of Christian Aid supported by Commitment for Life.
World Vision
World Vision is a Christian Charity whose focus is to help the most vulnerable children of all faiths and none, overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. They work together with communities across the world in a 100 countries.
They also respond to emergencies such as earthquakes to civil wars and help to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
They are mostly known for Child Sponsorship which includes funds for community development work.
For many years Jesmond URC has supported two children from countries across the world. At the moment we sponsor Victoria aged 12 from Mozambique and Swaray age 10 from Sierra Leone. We sponsor them monthly and keep in regular contact. We get reports about the children’s development and the differences made to their families and communities, eg: education, health, nutrition, clean water, and sanitation.
SAMOS VOLUNTEERS
Samos Volunteers are a non-profit organisation which support refugees and asylum seekers on the Island of Samos in Greece. The volunteers who help, give a commitment of up to 3 months at a time.
They very much rely on monetary donations and gifts of clothes.
There are two centres, the Alpha Centre and Alpha Land which are open to everyone, offer informal educational activities, language classes, games, computer classes, library, psycho-social support and clothes distribution.
The Alpha Centre is located in the main town of Samos has been a valuable community space over the last eight years. Alpha Land is a five minute walk from a Controlled Closed Access Centre for refugees. Refugees and Asylum seekers say the centres help them to feel ‘normal’ again.
Operation Mobilisation
Operation Mobilisation was founded in 1957 by an American called George Viewer.
It is a mission organisation who invites people of any age to share in God’s mission around the world. They encourage people to explore opportunities to serve in one of a 150 countries for a short term, longer term or aboard on one of the OM ships.
As well as abroad they work alongside British churches to help build communities of faith.
Jesmond URC regularly supports one family working for the mission.
TYNE AND WEAR CITIZENS
We are part of the hundreds of people forming an alliance from churches, mosques, schools, charities, trade union branches and a university in the North East. Together, we organise to tackle injustices in our local communities and bring about change.
The priority issues voted on by members in our community include: