St. John's World Team

St. John's supports several important projects overseas with its prayers and its annual giving.  This work is coordinated by the World Team.

If you would like to know more about our activities and plans, please contact the team leader,
Sue Greenway, t. 01962 732406.

The current list of projects is below, with links to their websites where available.

The Mar Elias Educational Institutions set up by Archbishop Em. Elias Chacour in Ibillin, Galilee, Israel with the aim of interfaith peacebuilding through education. Archbishop Em. Elias Chacour has recently chaired a conference for peace. The UK Charity supporting this is Ashray.


Due to the oustanding work he has done promoting peace with justice, in December Elias Chacour was asked to host an Interfaith Conference on Peace with Justice at Mar Elias Educational Institutions, to which all faiths, Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze, were invited.

Elias Chacour - "Who Are the Christians of Today?"  December 2023
(Please note this is a large file)

The Michael Project in Harare, Zimbabwe, established by David and Helen Hobbs. The Michael Project is a ministry of River of Life Church in Harare (Zimbabwe), and has been established as a result of the needs of children at risk in Zimbabwe. Simba and Barbara Pfupajena now head a management team that draws on the gifting and experience of key individuals who have a passion for taking on the challenge of addressing the plight of children at risk. We are very pleased that David and Helen Hobbs will be visiting St. John's on Sunday, 5th May and David will be speaking in the service.

Pannai Family Village Farm at Kasam, Katpadi, Vellore in South India, founded by Dr. Pauline E. King in 1969. The Family Village Farm is a living community for orphans who are supported until they finish their education. They are cared for by house mothers who when they retire continue to live there as honoured elders.

Shanthigramam – the leprosy village at Karigiri in South India. Shanthigramam – literally "village of peace“ is a haven for aged, destitute persons who have been damaged by leprosy.

Easter 2024
We have received warm Easter greetings from Valsa Augustine at Shanthigramam conveying their love and gratitude to the congregation at St. John’s for its continued support.  Valsa has shared some photos of the residents on Palm Sunday. 



Valsa Augustine (Psychologist) wrote in November 2023:

We have seen God's Grace in sustaining and helping to take care of the needs at Shanthigramam. It has been possible only through friends like you. I have forwarded a video, which gives an update on the residents. I am also forwarding the new buildings and cottages which are so very comfortable for the residents.
                                           
A few of the long term residents have passed on and new ones
have joined, each with a story of rejection because of Leprosy.
Please find attached the photos. Will send more.

Love to all of you at church.
Love & Prayers
Valsa



Shanthigramam Video
(Please note this is a large file)

The work of The Church Mission Society.  Simon and Sarah Cawdell are based in Gulu, working alongside the Diocese of Northern Uganda (DNU) to help local Christians grow in their faith, teaching theology to local leaders and building sustainability.



Our most recent letter from Simon and Sarah (2nd March 2024):

Dear friends,

We hope and pray that you are well. As I write we are appreciating some cooler weather after some good rain yesterday, which signals the start of planting and planning for the next crops. I know that many of you will be welcoming warmer weather, and also hoping to plant and begin the year's cultivation.


                 Morris clearing out the pigs.                                  Saturday sewing group.



                  Melki, Samson and Morris                                  Shelagh and Ian hand over
                       farming God's way.                                              two laptops to David.

A number of you generously contributed to buy laptops for the college soon after our arrival here. I am delighted to say that we are able to purchase 20 laptops for the college, and the first two arrived yesterday. We have sent this letter to mark their arrival! Do enjoy the photograph. David, the computer tutor and college administrator, is absolutely delighted that each student in a class will be able to access a computer during classes. They will be security marked, and closely monitored, so that they serve the college well. Thank you so very much. Anyone who visits for the next few months will be carrying one in their luggage. More photos in due course!!

Thank you for your prayers and support. It means a lot to us to know that we are not alone in the work here.

Love and blessings
Sarah and Simon

Also, please find here their Prayer Letter from 2nd March.

The work of the Mothers’ Union in the Literacy Project in East Africa.  Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation that has been supporting families worldwide for over 140 years. Started by our founder Mary Sumner in 1876 in her local parish, St. Mary's in Old Alresford, we have grown into an international charity with over 4 million members in 84 countries.



The work of Christian Aid. Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.  Churches Together in Alresford organises the annual collection.




St. John's is a Fairtrade Church, which means all of our refreshments are sourced from fairtrade organisations. Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow the things we love.