Christmas Appeal
A young Sudanese refugee walking to school with her seat on her shoulder is the focus for this year’s Christmas Appeal.  It has been a devastating year for many people and we are appealing for help to rebuild lives.  Worship resources will be available shortly.  The order form is available now.  Resources will be posted to churches next week.  Please help us make our 70th appeal count!

 

Anton Marcus Visit
CWS welcomed Anton Marcus patron of the Women’s Centre and joint secretary of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union earlier this month.  He spoke of their work with workers to improve working and living conditions in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones as well as build understanding between Tamil and Sinhala workers during and after the bitter civil war.  Anton noted roads and other infrastructure were being built but factory workers were not yet paid a living wage.

 

South Sudan: Prayer Request
When a fuel truck overturned 16 miles from Maridi town, locals rushed to collect some of the 31,000 litres of leaking petrol.  A soldier disbursed the crowd with a gunshot that exploded the tanker and claimed 196 lives, including whole families.  175 people were hospitalised in Maridi and Juba with serious burns.  Those involved or who lost family are traumatised.  Coming after weeks of conflict in June, Maridi Service Agency’s Wadalla Peter says there is no psychosocial help available.  He has humbly requested “your prayers for the poor and innocent people of MARIDI who have undergone a lot of bad moments within a short time.”  One of the consequences of the June conflict, was that people spent more time digging in their gardens so they are hoping for good crops.

New Sustainable Agenda
On 25 September the global community will commit to a new Sustainable Development agenda.  The UN will launch 17 new goals with 169 targets.  The top goal is to eradicate extreme poverty.  Every country will pledge to work towards the goals for the next 15 years.  The World Council of Churches is supporting the multi-faith “Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty” and Prayer for Everyone.

 

Remember: Edric Baker
CWS gives thanks for the life of Edric Baker, who died 2 September in Bangladesh.   A medical doctor, Edric set up a hospital and medical services in Kailakuri by training local people to deliver the services.  CWS helped fund this work for some years.  We remember him for his deep compassion and commitment to a people-focused, interfaith community.

 

Climate Justice: We have Faith
Climate justice supporters are currently cycling through Southern Africa collecting signatures on an ACT Alliance initiated climate justice petition.  If you support them, please sign it.

 

Supporters’ Council
CWS supporters (those who have made a financial contribution in the last two years) are invited to the annual Supporters’ Council for a report back and to consider nominations to the CWS Board.  The meeting is on Saturday, 21 November at 10 am – 1pm with lunch provided at St Andrew’s on the Terrace (Conference rooms 1 and 2), 30 The Terrace, Wellington.  Attendees are welcome to stay on to observe the AGM of the CWS Board.  RSVP by November 13 to Emma at 03 3669 274 or cws@cws.org.nz

Rod Oram lectures
To mark 70 years since the first Christmas Appeal, prominent Anglican and journalist Rod Oram will speak at the Transitional Cathedral, Christchurch 6:30pm October 13 and St Matthew’s in the City, Auckland 5:30pm October 29. His topic: “How your Small Change makes Big Change”.  Please join us.

                                                                                                       
About Update
Update provides news, information and stories.  Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS.  Current and back issues are available.