Our annual Poverty and Hope Appeal, has been launched this week by Bishop James with a special video message.
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised by the generous giving of churches across the Diocese for development projects around the world.
In this time of global pandemic we are anxious not to forget marginalised people and communities living in poverty. Their needs remain and, in many cases have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
Projects work with the local Church so our support is a huge encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ as they reach out to help their local communities. We know that they are praying that they will have the resources to do their work and we can be part of the answer to that prayer.
This year the Appeal will continue to support projects in Burundi Sri Lanka, Syria, Zimbabwe and Kent. There are full details of the Appeal and the projects we are supporting on the Poverty and Hope webpages at www.bit.ly/PovertyHope.
Because of Covid 19 restrictions, physical brochures will not be available this year. However, there is a wealth of material available on the Poverty and Hope webpage:
You can also email:povertyandhope@gmail.com.
Information includes:
- A brochure
- A poster
- An article for Church magazines
- A brief piece that can be emailed to members of the Church or put on your website
- A short presentation which can be used in physical or virtual services and a piece which looks at each of the projects in detail.
We know it is tempting to focus on needs close to home, but we hope that Churches and individuals across the Diocese will help enable Christians across the world to help those most in need.
How to donate
We know that the pandemic has greatly affected many members of our communities and that you yourself may be struggling. However, if you are able to do so please support the Poverty and Hope Appeal in whatever way you can. We have broadened the ways you can donate.
E-banking: You can make a donation by e-banking to following account: Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance, sort code 20-54-29, account 90760099.. In the reference box, please put P&H so we can correctly allocate the money to the Poverty and Hope Appeal, and something to identify your church (or nothing if you wish your donation to be given anonymously). Please email povertyandhope@gmail.com if you need more details.
Give.net: You can donate by card via https://www.give.net/povertyandhope/fundraising. You can also gift aid your donation if you are a qualifying UK taxpayer. Give.net is part of Stewardship, a Christian charity that supports Christian giving.
Cheques: please make out to ‘Rochester DBF’ with ‘Poverty and Hope Appeal’ on the back and send them with any completed gift aid envelopes to: Finance Team Rochester Diocese, St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester ME1 1SL.
You may increase the value of your giving by gift-aiding your donation. This allows us to reclaim the tax relating to your gift. Please download and fill in the attached form and return it with your donation to the Rochester Finance Team at the address above. If you would like to receive details of the gift aid scheme or how to make your donation by standing order please do contact us at povertyandhope@gmail.com.