2022 STAMP APPEAL
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
In Lebanon, and in response to the financial collapse in the country, the pastors in Syria and Lebanon initiated in 2021, a scheme where they gave half of their salary to establish a relief programme as an expression of support to the neediest families around their congregations.
The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) employs more than a thousand people including their pastors. The economic crisis in the country and the consequences of the huge explosion in Beirut has struck hard and the Synod is struggling to pay salaries for pastors which range between £100 to £150 per month. Some pastors have left their vocation to take other jobs as they are unable to provide for their families. Others are really struggling to make ends meet. Pastors are key people supporting the spiritual and institutional life and ministry of the Synod and deserve to be supported.
NESSL is a partner church of the Church of Scotland and has churches in both Lebanon and Syria. The church has been able in the past to support pastors from money raised by running fee paying schools. In the last few years as the economic situation has deteriorated, many families are finding it hard to pay school fees and the knock-on effect on the financial situation in the Synod has affected the ability to pay pastors salaries. Despite the hardships experienced, pastors are reaching out to the needy in their congregations in a sacrificial way. This has prompted the Synod to reach out to partners around the world to support the various ongoing project work and to include in this the support of pastors.
This year the Stamp Project proceeds aim to raise enough funds to support a pastor for a full year’s salary.
2020 STAMP APPEAL
In 1986 a remarkable, visionary woman Pearl Stephen began a women’s project in the garage at Scots Kirk in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Her husband George was the minister. out of that garage an organisation grew to become the Women’s Development Centre (WDC).
Pearl set up a school for disabled children to provide special education and rehabilitation. Community development work included work with commercial sex workers who were vulnerable to HIV. But WDC is best known for its work with victims of sexual violence.
Pearl died in 2013 and her daughter in law Sashi has taken over the leadership. Like Pearl, Sashi combines total commitment to the girls in WDC’s care with love and compassion that does not judge.
WDC can accommodate 50 girls and young women under the age of 16 who have been raped or abused. Some of the girls have been abused for years before they become pregnant. They may have been abused by male relatives when their mother was working in the Gulf. They may have suffered because of the breakdown in moral behaviouf as a result of the brutalisation of society caused by three decades of war between the government and the Tamil Tigers.
When the Sri Lanka justice system gets involved the abuser is charged with statutory rape and the girl can be referred to WDC. Girls come from all over Sri Lanka, they include Sinhalese and Tamils, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. They can stay until the court case is resolved, which can take a few years in some cases. Sashi and her co-workers help the girls care for their babies, train them in crafts and weaving so they can learn skills that will help when they leave. Parents of the girls come for counselling so that they can rebuild their relationship with their daughter. Other girls are admitted to local schools so they can return to education.
In 2009 WDC started the social enterprise called ‘Sthree’, which means ‘woman’ in Sinhala and Tamil languages. This woman’s initiative provides a market for Sri Lankan women and differently-abled entrepreneurs to sell their hand-made products.
The latest development is the Sthree Cafe. A travel company has underwritten the costs for developing the back of the building and fitting out a kitchen. The tables and chairs were all made at the WDC vocational training centre and the cooking and serving is all done by women from WDC’s programmes. The food is all grown locally, there is minimal use of plastic and maximum use of recycling and composting. Already the cafe is drawing more customers into the original craft shop. If you are in Kady, try to visit Sthree – we recommend the Hopper Combo breakfast!
Sahi and her team at WDC are for and heal girls who are vulnerable and often discarded by their families. It is impossible not to be moved by what they do. Every penny raised by the Stamp Appeal this year will go towards supporting these women who have been through so much, and will help towards giving them hope for the future.
2019 STAMP APPEAL
The Stamp Appeal of 2019 will support the Chigodi Women Centre in Blantyre, Malawi who are also celebrating their 50th anniversary.
The Chigodi Women Centre is delivering a broad range of skills training to address the challenges faced by women in Malawi.
Through providing training in tailoring, fashion design and chicken farming the Centre will improve the women’s skills in marketing and entrepreneurship. The aim is that the women’s socio-economic status is improved and their chances of future employment increase. By selling the produce made at the Centre the plan is that when the funding finishes the project will be self-sustainable – able to continue to improve the lives of women in Malawi.
Supporting this project is easy. All you have to do it collect the used stamps you receive in the post, (cut round the stamp leaving about ½” all round) and give them to Jennifer Dodds, who will send them off for us, to be sold for this project.
—-
Last year £2433 was raised for the 2018 Stamp Appeal – see below
Church of Scotland World Mission
2018 STAMP APPEAL
This year the World Mission Council’s Stamp Appeal will support centers for young people with leaning difficulties and disabilities in the Ukraine.
These centers are supported by our partners the Ukrainian Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, and provide valuable support to children and young people who are living with disabilities. Thanks to the centers, young people are given the opportunity to thrive, to make friends, and to take part in a range of activities. Therapists who work at the center offer either individual or group therapies, which include educational activities (writing and reading), massages, games, music, craft work, walks and games.The families of the young people are also given support, and an opportunity to meet other parents who are caring for a child or young person with a disability.
There are three centres in total, with approximately 50 children and young people receiving support. The centers are open five days a week, although the fifth day is set aside for programme planning and support for parents. A special programme for teenagers is held once a week, providing opportunities to socialise and enjoy a range of activities.
Sadly, there is little support for people living with disabilities in the Ukraine. This means that many children and young people with disabilities do not have the facilities they need to reach their full potential. The Ukrainian Reformed Church is convinced that each of these children can participate fully in society, if they are given the care and education they need. Having access to these centres means that these young people are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Supporting this project is easy. All you have to do it collect the used stamps you receive in the post, please cut round the stamp leaving about ½” all round and give them to Jennifer Dodds, who will send them off for us, to be sold for this project.
2017 STAMP APPEAL
The Giffen Institute of Theology (GIT) of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS)
Firstly, many, many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2016 Othara appeal, by bringing to Church, the stamps from their mail – the amazing sum of £4,334.00 was raised, which will be used to support the Othara Eco-spirituality centre run by our partners the Church of South India.
The 2017 Stamp Appeal is for the Giffen Institute of Theology (GIT) the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) who need books. Having recently relocated to Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya, GIT is looking to stock up its library for students. This year’s stamp appeal will help do just that.
GIT was established in 1974 by PCOSS. It plays a significant role in training people for ministry.
However, South Sudan has suffered terrible violence and war in recent years, and GIT has been forced to relocate twice. Resources, including books, were lost or destroyed during this tumultuous time.
The Institute not only provides valuable education for students, but supports those who have fled from war through providing training on concentration, and activities encouraging reconciliation between students from different tribes.
Help us to support our partner, the PCOSS, through collecting your used stamps which are sold to make money for much needed resources.
How to contribute:
We all receive letters with stamps on from time to time. Please cut round the stamp leaving about ½” all round – and bring the stamps along to Church any Sunday – ask a duty Elder to give them to Jennifer – thank you.
Remember to keep the stamps from your mail and give them to Jennifer, who will send them off to be sold to help the current World Mission project
———–
Church of Scotland World Mission
STAMP 2016 APPEAL
The CSI Eco-spirituality centre: Othara
“God created all living and non-living things to coexist in a rhythm and equilibrium which we often call ecological balance. Ecological disasters befall us when this balance is lost.”
Bishop Thomas K. Oommen, Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India.
The Church of South India (CSI) recently opened the Othara Eco-spirituality centre, where people can learn about climate change and the importance of conserving the earth God has given us.
This year the STAMP PROJECT will support some of their ecological innovations including the harvesting and re-use of rain water, the establishment of biogas plant to power the kitchens and the development of a small dairy and chicken farm for native breeds.
Through retreats and conferences, CSI hopes that the knowledge people gain at the centre will inspire them to live sustainably and encourage others in their community to do the same because ‘caring for the earth is not only a calling, but a lifestyle’.
Key facts about the CSI:
How to contribute:
We all receive letters with stamps on from time to time. Please cut round the stamp leaving about ½” all round – and bring the stamps along to Church any Sunday – ask a duty Elder to give them to Jennifer – thank you.
Remember to keep the stamps from your mail and give them to Jennifer, who will send them off to be sold to help the current World Mission project
———-
LOCAL FOOD BANK BASED AT AnnanCAN
Our Presbytery is working in partnership with First Base in Dumfries and Kate’s Kitchen. Please would you be able to donate, on a regular basis, or when you can, food such as – tinned food, pot noodles, cuppa soup, mini packs of cereal etc. to make food parcels to be distributed to those who need them. There will be a box in the hall vestibule where donations can be left. Catherine Dale will be responsible for collecting the items. Just think, if everyone brought just one Item each week, we could fill the box! Thank you.
———-
Presbytery have asked for basic toiletry items for women and children which will be passed to Women’s Aid in Dumfries. These would be things like soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cloth, deodorant etc. as woman may turn up with nothing if they are forced to leave suddenly. Please give these donated items can be given to Jennifer or Alan Dodds.
———-
FLOWER LIST
The Flower List is in the Session Room.
If you would like to put flowers in the Church on a particular Sunday, please write your name beside your chosen date.
There are ‘Flower Fund’ boxes at both doors for donations to buy the flowers for ‘vacant Sundays’ .
After flowers have been in the Church they are distributed to members who may not be able to attend.
Alison Jackson is always willing to arrange the flowers if you need someone to do it for you.
Many thanks to all the folks who have in the past generously donated flowers or money.
———-