Strawberry Teas – 10th May
Imagine the scene: a brilliant blue sky, wall-to-wall sunshine, an alfresco dining area with gingham tablecloths fluttering in the gentle breeze bedecked with lush foliage and a bunch of smiley people, entering the gates to St. James’ church grounds, eager to sample some sensational sweet treats – all in support of Christian Aid.
The 2025 Christian Aid fundraising campaign zooms in on Guatemala and Aurelia’s story. ‘Gruelling heatwaves and extreme weather are destroying Aurelia’s farm. She says, “Climate change has been killing our crops, and this is our food.”
The roots of this cruel injustice run deep. Indigenous communities like Aurelia’s have done the least to cause the climate crisis, yet they endure its impact the most. But the unstoppable power of hope is in the hands of farmers like Aurelia, as she leads her community in the fight to overcome the challenges they face. Aurelia is holding hope in her hands.’
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
So, what were the parishioners, friends, families and neighbours of St. James’ doing to help people like Aurelia? They were busy fundraising by enjoying an afternoon in the sunshine and tucking into some delectable homemade desserts!
Bowls brimming with sweet strawberries, cloud-like meringues and decadent cream proved irresistible, not to mention a swoon-worthy table of cakes, showcasing ‘best-in-show’ delights such as malt bread, coffee Renoirs, chocolate éclairs, cheesecakes and cupcakes. They wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Great British Bake-Off tent!
Running alongside these sugary confections which kept the grown-ups occupied, were some crafting activities for children. Youngsters had the opportunity to create their very own resplendent Quetzal – the national bird of Guatemala. These brightly coloured birds, with long, blue-green tail feathers are featured on the country’s flag and coat of arms.
As the afternoon drew to a close, attendees could be seen loading up their plates with more cakes to share at home and dropping more even more money into the Christian Aid bucket. The total raised? A whopping £440…and counting!
All-Age Christian Aid Service: 11th May
Following on from the Strawberry Teas fundraiser for Christian Aid, the theme of HOPE was explored during the All-Age Sunday service:
HOPE that we can help towards funding the Christian Aid organisation as they reach out to support farmers like Aurelia.
HOPE that we can help to improve the situation of people in Guatemala through prayer.
HOPE that we may all be more aware of how climate change is directly affecting Indigenous families like Aurelia’s and causing catastrophic hunger and poverty in these communities.
At the start of the service, led by Pam and Elaine, the youngsters drew round their hands, cut out the shapes and decorated them, before hanging them on a prayer tree – a visual symbol of our ability to take a ‘hands-on’ approach and put HOPE into action.
A short film explaining the role of Christian Aid was shared, highlighting the plight of Aurelia and her family as they face drought, deforestation and malnutrition.
Through Christian Aid’s partner organisation – Congcoop, such families and communities are equipped to share skills and knowledge gained from agricultural training. They learn how to grow native seeds, conserve water and produce fertiliser to make farming practices more climate resilient.
The All-Age congregation sang action songs, often using British Sign Language based around this theme of HOPE. One was linked to Romans 15:13
“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQAtlWOLHYc
Hands were used as a prayer guide later in the service, using each digit to pray for someone very close to us, for those further afield, for leaders and for ourselves.
Much to the delight of all attending the service, chocolate buttons were distributed as a tasty reminder of how Aurelia has learned chocolate making skills with the help of Christian Aid funds to help improve the life of her family and wider community. As the buttons slowly dissolved in mouths, the congregation was asked to reflect on how Christian Aid is putting HOPE into action.
The service ended on a high note – with a very jazzy version of ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ during which, the children were encouraged to skip round the church!
So…let’s put the unstoppable power of HOPE into action.
