The Parish Magazine April 2024

The Parish Magazine - April 2024 11
future. However, acknowledging this, doesn’t
always make it easier.
An important part of my journey through life as a
Christian is spending time in God's presence. St Andrew’s
is a special place in my Christian journey where I can
pray and worship God with others who are also Christian
believers. The tremendous pastoral and spiritual care that
I receive, and the fellowship of everyone is a great personal
comfort for me.
from page 10
KINDNESS
I used to visit a secondary school, where the head teacher,
gave out book marks that asked students to reflect on a verse
from Micah. The words were that God has called us 'to do
justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God' (Mic 6:8).
I feel, that we should think about these words in our daily
lives and see how we can try our best to follow them.
To me, the small things we do to show our care for others
in our daily life are as important as the bigger things we might
do. I remember when I used to walk alone around the town a
greeting or a smile made a huge difference to me.
EDUCATION
Christ came to preach the gospel to everyone asking us
to fight injustice and inequality. His call to serve others is
important to me, particularly helping and caring for those
who are in need and for those who are less fortunate.
Even in his retirement my father started Karun, an
educational centre for local communities near where he was
living. He believed that education could break the cycle of
poverty. His goal was to help children and young people
develop skills that would get them jobs and free them from
poverty.
The work at the centre continues with classes for adults
and children. The centre is adjusting to the changing skill
needs of India. Educational grants are being given to young
disadvantaged people to train as nurses, electricians,
plumbers and for jobs in the multimedia industry. I am very
grateful for your prayers and the generous support we receive
from St Andrew's to help children and young people at Karun.
BE STILL
For me being a Christian, means that I should constantly
try to look at how my thinking and my actions are informed
by Jesus’s teaching and how I can try to reflect this in my
daily life and the work. I believe that I am a Christian because
for me faith is an ongoing encounter with God that gives me
joy and hope for the future and one where I never feel alone
facing the ups and downs of life — a hymn that gives me great
comfort is 'Be Still my Soul'.
I may never understand God’s wisdom for things that
have happened in my life, but I have to trust his will. These
are the words of the Lord found in Jeremiah.
'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord,
'plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future'
I believe God, has a plan for all our lives, and that we
need to pray for his direction, have patience, and know
when it comes.
The Persecuted Church
By Colin Bailey
A round-up of news and appeals from advocacy and aid
agencies ministering among persecuted Christians.
From Release International:
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were
together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated
as if you yourselves were suffering.
Hebrews 13:3
Please pray that God would comfort the family and friends
of Pastor Tesfay Seyoum as the first anniversary of his death
approaches. Tesfay died in prison, having spent 10 years
behind bars. His family could not bury him in his home town
because of his faith in Christ.
From Open Doors UK:
Send hope: let your persecuted family know they are not
forgotten. Write to a persecuted believer: your persecuted
family love hearing from you. 'These letters encouraged me to
know that I am not alone,' says Martina from Nigeria, whose
husband was tragically killed by Fulani militants. 'Anytime
I am sad, or my heart is heavy, I pick up the letters and start
reading and feel comforted.' For inspiration and guidance on
writing a letter: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/act/letter/
From Barnabas Aid:
Help Sudanese Christian refugees in Egypt survive.
Sudanese refugees are in dire need of safety and help, says
Barnabas Aid’s project partner in Egypt. Faithful Egyptian
churches are caring for an influx of Christian refugees who
have fled from Khartoum, Darfur and beyond. Christians
are a small minority in Sudan and have endured severe
persecution. For more information on how to help with this
project: https://www.barnabasaid.org/gb/latest-needs/helpsudanese-christian-refugees-in-egypt-survive/
From Mosaic Middle East:
For its appeal in response to the escalating crisis in the Gaza
Strip, Mosaic is grateful to have the support of its patron,
His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos (Coptic Orthodox
Archbishop of London, Papal Legate to the United Kingdom).
He reminds us to hold in prayer those of all faiths and
none affected by crises across the globe. 'In this conflict that
has generated so much suffering, Christians in Gaza have been
largely overlooked. This urgent appeal will provide life-saving
humanitarian aid to all who seek shelter and assistance at the
Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius and the Catholic Holy Family
Parish. At this time, we pray for all those so painfully affected in
the Palestinian Territories and Israel, whether they be Muslim,
Jewish, Christian or of any or no faith or belief.' For the Mosaic
Middle East Christians in Gaza Appeal:
https://mosaicmiddleeast.org/appeal
References and further reading
Release International: https://releaseinternational.org/
Open Doors UK: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/act/letter/
Barnabas Aid: https://www.barnabasaid.org/gb/
Mosaic Middle East: https://mosaicmiddleeast.org/latest/
world-day-of-prayer-2024