Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in 55 countries, providing healthcare services to those in poverty. They are working to eradicate poverty diseases and follow the model of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. They help people of all faiths or none. On board their ships the ‘Africa Mercy and Global Mercy’, they have carried out thousands of operations to improve peoples lives. The help does not stop there as they work closely with the countries governments to try and improve general health care by training and mentoring local medical staff and renovating hospitals and clinics. 

 

Binti and Ibrahima, two devoted parents in Senegal, have always been proud of their daughter Sira. But as she grew, something began to trouble them. She struggled to walk and stand. When Sira was six, her legs had bowed outwards.

“Sira was always so friendly, but when people started staring, she became so shy,” her mother, Binti, remembers. “She wasn’t happy. I was always worried, because at school her friends used to laugh at her. I am supposed to protect her from those things.”

After various hospital and clinic visits no one could help. Then the Mercy ship came along. They saw Sira and knew they could help her. She came on to the ship and had her free operation, then had to learn to walk again with casts on her legs and then a walking frame. Her family were overjoyed when they saw the change.

 

Now, Sira smiles as she plays football with her friends in the sunshine. She loves going to school. It makes her heart soar to do everything she always dreamed of. This is the dawn of a new life for Sira, full of hope and possibility.

 

If you want help other children and adults like Sira lead a normal life please donate via their website https://www.mercyships.org.uk/who-we-serve/patient-stories/sira/?form=donate

Or leave a cheque payable to ‘Hornchurch PCC’ with the Parish Office who will collate donations and send on to the charity after the end of February.

 

Arlene Trump

This is a new Parish sewing group based on the Bible Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9 v36 Dorcas (also known as Tabitha). They initiated the Easter Eco bunting and will be helping with this project. Further details can be found at Parish Dorcas Society

The current project can be found on our creative Dorcas page

The Course in Christian Studies is a two year course exploring the Christian Faith, delivered weekly in local centres around the diocese and online

Since 1987, more than 3,000 people have taken the Chelmsford Diocese Course in Christian Studies (CCS) and a refreshed course will be starting in January 2024.

The course takes place in a variety of locations across our diocese and consists of two years of study. The first is a foundational year in theology and the second a foundational year in ministry.

This approach gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of vocations and ministries within the church. Completion of the course leads to the Bishop’s Certificate.

There are two ways you can take part in the CCS: in local face to face groups and via the Zoom platform with weekly online meetings.

The groups are led by ordained and lay tutors and include people from all church traditions. The group learns from the tutors, the Bible, the reading material provided, and from each other.

To find out more about CCS, including locations of your nearest group and how to enrol for 2024 scan the QR code or visit our webpage www.chelmsford.anglican.org/ccs.

St Andrew’s Church was awarded the Silver Eco Church Award Certificate on 31st January 2023. We continue to strive to protect God’s creation in all that we do.

An Accessible All-Age Church Service

Fun, Worship and Singing, Fellowship and Cake

It will run every 3rd Sunday of the Month 3pm at St Matthew’s Church, Chelmsford Drive, Upminster RM14 2PH

All welcome

Supporting the people of Ukraine has been on many of our hearts and minds over the past weeks.

Bishop Guli wrote an article for the Essex Chronicle last week, and in it, she says:

It’s easy to feel helpless when we are so far away, but we can make a difference. In the United Kingdom we often take our freedom to speak out for granted, but we can make the most of that freedom now by keeping pressure on our Government to help Ukrainian refugees; by writing to our Members of Parliament, local newspapers and using our voices on social media.

We can also support the people of Ukraine through one of the many organisations accepting financial donations. Among them are:

• The Diocese in Europe and USPG: this is a joint appeal to provide humanitarian support in Ukraine and for refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries.
• The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee): brings together leading charities and are providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, for refugees.

You can read more about these appeals and find out more about their work by clicking the links above.

As we hear more about our government’s plans for the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ sponsorship scheme, the Sanctuary Foundation is also inviting pledges of different kinds of support which will help to assist and accelerate the government response.

Of course, we also continue to hold the people of Ukraine and Russia in prayer.

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their actions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.