We may just be approaching Christmas, but the parish of St Andrew’s, Paddock Wood is inviting churches across the Diocese to look ahead to Easter, by purchasing Palm Cross made by their companion link parish of Bereko in Tanzania.
St Andrew's has had a long-standing link with St Andrew Church in Bereko.
It was one of the first parish links created when the companionship link between the Dioceses of Rochester and Kondoa in Tanzania was established in 2006.
Since then, a group of church members and local school representatives from Paddock Wood visit Bereko every two years and the relationship is thriving.
The production and sale of palm crosses is being encouraged as a sustainable enterprise for the Bereko parish, which includes the nearby (still half an hour drive away!) church at Kikilo.
The crosses are mainly made by the church family in Kikilo, who are now expertly producing them in quantity. In 2019, 15,000 crosses were brought home to Paddock Wood be sold around the parishes.
All the necessary approvals have been obtained from HMRC, the Forestry Commission and Defra Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Barbara Farnham, who is involved with the parish link says all profits will go to suppork the parish of Bereko:
"Over the years, we have witnessed the church grow physically and numerically. Purchasing these palm crosses will help this church to witness to their community and will equip them and their leaders with the resources they need.
Anyone interested in purchase Palm Crosses (£9.00 for 50) should please contact Barbara Farnham at barbara.farnham@talktalk.net