What is mission?
Mission is often defined as ‘finding out what God is doing in the world and getting involved’.
Why do we give?
We recognise that giving to others is fundamentally our response to God’s giving to us, most notably in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are called to give willingly and cheerfully, according to our means (see 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9).
The Mission and Giving Group
The Mission and Giving Group is a sub-committee of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) that plans and coordinates our giving as a church to Christian work and other charitable causes. We meet 3 times a year to monitor existing church commitments, to plan Giving Days (November/ May), and to arrange speakers/materials etc. Current group members are: Richard Collins, Judith Gardom, Margaret Hiley, Dorothy Peyton Jones, Mary Pountain, Nigel Taylor, Lynda Taylor, and Bridget Trump.
How do we plan our giving?
We use the five ‘marks of mission’ of the worldwide Anglican church to guide our decisions about priorities for giving and to ensure a balance in our commitment to various aspects of mission:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the earth
St Andrew’s regularly supports the following:
USPG (Anglicans in World Mission)
At harvest or on specific giving days we have supported projects such as hostels for young people in North India, training for church leaders in Ghana and Madagascar and support for HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa.
www.uspg.org.uk
Romsey Mill, Cambridge
This is a Cambridge-based charity working with some of the most disadvantaged young people and families in the local area. As part of the North Cambridge Council of Churches we support Ellie Howes who coordinates the Transitions Programme, aiming to increase the confidence and skills of 10-14 year-olds as they progress through education.
www.romseymill.org
WinterComfort, Cambridge
This is a local charity supporting the homeless through the provision of basic amenities and a range of services. We donate funds for the weekly purchase of fruit for the guests. This report by Shelia Merrick has more information about current activities and future plans.
www.wintercomfort.org.uk
A Rocha (Christians in Conservation)
This is a national and international organisation encouraging the church to become more aware of and involved in ‘creation care’.
www.arocha.org
Azul Wasi (The Blue House)
This is a project in Cusco, Peru, to build a home for street children where boys can learn practical land-based skills while also attending the local village school.
www.standrews-chesterton.org/azulwasi
Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships operates a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations.www.mercyships.org.uk
The large noticeboard near the main church entrance shows a world map and details of the individuals and projects we currently support, including pictures. As well as our regular commitments, we also make one-off donations to various good causes. In the last two years these included:
- Anti-Slavery International
- Cambridge Cancer Help Centre
- Children’s Society
- Christian Aid
- Cogwheel Trust
- Two gap year students volunteering overseas
Information updates
We produce regular updates to keep the congregation in touch with our mission and giving commitments and to provide a basis for prayer. Past updates can be accessed via the links below.