St Peter’s Church, in Woolton, is hosting the event at 10.30am, on Sunday, November 30, and charity CEO Patrick Watt will be there to talk about the appeal.
This year, the organisation is focussing on the plight of the millions of people forced to flee their homes because of conflict, and the charity is sharing stories from communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Church representative Sarah Beresford is helping to organise the service.
She completed a gap year with the Church Mission Society in the DRC and remembers the people there as joyful, welcoming and warm-hearted. “I can’t imagine what life there is like now,” Sarah said. “Many of the families I got to know have had to flee their homes because of the violence, leaving with nothing more than the clothes on their back. The people of DRC are resourceful and incredibly resilient in the face of adversity, but they need our help now more than ever. This year’s Christian Aid appeal is so close to my heart – I know the families and communities that will benefit, and I know how much it will mean to them to know we are pulling together to help them meet their basic needs in the most unimaginable circumstances.”
Christian Aid has worked with local organisations in the DRC since the 1970s and is currently helping people in camps and villages who have had to leave their homes because of the violence between multiple armed groups and government forces.
Funds raised will help the organisation’s partners who provide cash assistance so people can buy essential supplies such as food, medicine or bedding; give people better access to clean water; and provide support for survivors of rape and gender-based violence.
Rector at St Peter’s Lizzy Holland said the service this month will be an opportunity to come together and remind people of different ways in which they can celebrate Christmas.
She explained: “This is known as the festive season, but we know for many people in the world, it’s not a peaceful time – and here at home, people can feel lonely or struggle to join in with things. We hope to remind everyone there are ways to do Christmas differently, from donating to organisations like Christian Aid, to buying gifts from charity shops or organising experiences rather than giving things.
“We look forward to seeing lots of people come along to this service to learn more about the work of Christian Aid find out how they can make their festive season really meaningful.”
St Peter’s will also be holding a poster exhibition, helping to mark Christian Aid’s 80th anniversary. The display of eight decades of images and campaign posters illustrates the organisation’s work around the world. To find out more about Christian Aid, please click here.
Photo credit: Esther Nsapu, Christian Aid
