Supported Charities

St Mary's Church has a policy of giving at least 10% of its annual ordinary income to charity. This income is currently allocated in equal amounts to twelve charities nominated by the Charities Subcommittee and approved by the PCC. We also have special collections at Harvest Festival together with Buckden School, at Remembrance Day, at Christigle and speacial appeals with retiring collections for DEC (the Disasters Emergency Committee). The list of charities is reviewed annually and anyone is free to suggest a charity that we might donate to.

The work of these charities will be celebrated through church displays, intercessions and a short article each month in the monthly newsletter and below on this website and we occasionally have representatives visit us to tell us more about the work of their charity.

Month Charity
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Harvest Festival
Rememberance Day
Christingle
Special Appeals
Christians Against Poverty (www.capuk.org)
Church Army (www.churcharmy.org.uk)
Tansanian Church Partnership Association (formerly the Diocese of Mt Kilimanjaro)
Jerusalem International YMCA (www. jerusalemymca.org)
The Mothers Union (www.themothersunion.org)
Médécins Sans Frontieres (www.msf.org)
St John's Hospice, Moggerhanger (www.suerydercare.org)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (www.csw.org.uk)
Livability (www.livability.org.uk)
Mission Aviation Fellowship (www.maf-uk.org)
Combat Stress (www.combatstress.org.uk)
Church Urban Fund (www.cuf.org.uk)
FairShare (www.fareshare.org.uk/)
The Royal British Legion (www.britishlegion.org.uk/)
Children's Society (www.childrenssociety.org.uk)
Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk)


August’s Charity of the month: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (www.csw.org.uk)
CSW, PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3YF

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.

The primary work of CSW is advocacy, which is used to influence the legislation, policies, attitudes and behaviours that reinforce religious discrimination and persecution. Through this, the aim is to bring about lasting cultural, social and political change.

Please pray for:

July’s Charity of the month: St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger
Moggerhanger, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RJ

St John’s offers specialist short-term palliative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses including Cancer, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, heart, liver and lung failure, and also includes an active day treatment centre offering a variety of treatments. The staff are supported by volunteers providing additional bereavement and chaplaincy services.

Many of us know first-hand of the wonderful work that goes on at the hospice at Moggerhanger, and of the difference it can make to someone who is dying and to their loved ones for them to be in a place where they can end their days with dignity and as comfortably as possible.

Please pray for:


  • The staff and volunteers at St John’s, that they may be given the physical, emotional and spiritual strength to undertake their vital work
  • Those receiving treatment and palliative care at St John’s, that they may find comfort and hope in their suffering; and for all those facing death
  • Relatives and friends of all who are living with terminal illness, and all those who give so much of their own time and energy, and of themselves, to care for the people they love.

June’s Charity of the month: Médécins Sans Frontieres (www.msf.org.uk)
67-74 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8QX

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent humanitarian medical aid organisation. It is committed to providing medical aid where it is most needed, regardless of race, religion, politics or gender and also to raising awareness of the plight of the people who need its help.

Examples of MSF’s current work include:
  • In Somalia, eye problems often go untreated and many suffer from blindness. In April 2010, MSF successfully completed a special "eye camp" in Galcayo. During their ten day visit, Dr. Dalmar and his team screened and treated over 3000 people, and performed 626 life-changing eye surgeries.
  • MSF healthcare teams work with pregnant women to prevent the occurrence of obstetric fistula. Fistula is not only a medical problem, but also results in many women being ostracised from their communities and rejected by family. MSF also works to repair fistulas and rebuild the women's lives. In 2009, surgical teams repaired fistulas for nearly 500 women.
  • MSF has introduced a screening and treatment programme for Chagas, a disease transmitted by an insect common in rural areas of Latin America, where people live in houses made of clay and straw. If untreated, however, Chagas can lead to serious health problems − mainly heart and intestinal complications − and even death.


  • So please pray for:
    • The many millions of people in some of the poorest countries of the world who have benefited from (or who need help from) MSF
    • The safety of those who offer their medical expertise through MSF, particularly those who bring medical care to people in the midst of conflict and natural disaster and other dangerous contexts
    • The work of MSF in changing policies and procedures in many countries to ensure better healthcare for everyone.


    May’s Charity of the month: Mothers Union (www.themothersunion.org)
    Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3RB

    Mothers’ Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. In over 78 countries, our members share one heartfelt vision – to bring about a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. This is not a vague hope, but a goal we actively pursue through prayer, programmes, policy work and community relationships. By supporting marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity, we tackle the most urgent needs challenging relationships and communities.

    Our work is threefold;
  • a diverse range of programme meets the needs of people within local communities - from entrepreneur training, health education, parenting and relationship education provision, to teddies for children experiencing stress or trauma - our programmes are designed to meet the needs of people at the local level.
  • Internationally, nationally and at the local level, our policy work challenges root causes of injustice and works for better conditions in society for children and families.
  • All of our work is underpinned by the Christian faith of our members
  • - a challenge to 'love mercy, seek justice and walk humbly with our God.' Micah 6:8.

    So please pray for:
    • Families everywhere, particularly those in difficulty, danger, or poverty
    • The work of the Mother’s Union in providing education opportunities
    • The process of bringing about political and social change to improve the lives of all those living under oppression.


    April’s Charity of the month: Jerusalem International YMCA (www. jerusalemymca.org)
    26 King David Street, P.O. Box 294, Jerusalem 91002 – Israel

    The Jerusalem International YMCA actively strives to foster interfaith, interracial and intergroup understanding and is committed to these goals in its day-to-day programs.

    The diverse programs aim to bring together youth from the Israeli and Palestinian communities in Jerusalem in an attempt at creating open spaces of interaction, communication and bonding among the participants.

    The Jerusalem International YMCA is known in the city of Jerusalem as a safe meeting place for Arabs and Jews to interact through sports and cultural events. The expansion of the teenage social and sports clubs into youth coexistence and leadership programs with skilled and experienced staff has grown out of a need to provide a response to the current situation in the city which makes it almost impossible for Jewish and Arab teenagers to mingle.

    Almost a half-million people visit the YMCA annually. For its efforts in promoting peace, unity and the dignity of humankind, the Jerusalem International YMCA was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. of Christian community for pioneering situations.

    So please pray for:
    • The work of the Jerusalem YMCA in bringing together young people in difficult circumstances.
    • The political, military and paramilitary leaders in Israel and the occupied territories, that they may find ways to seek peace and reconciliation.
    • For young Israelis and Palestinians, who have grown up knowing nothing but violence, that they may grasp the vision for a peaceful and just solution, and fulfil that vision in their generation.

    March’s Charity of the month: Tanzanian Church Partnership Association (formerly the Diocese of Mt Kilimanjaro)

    Based in Bury St Edmunds, the Tanzanian Church Partnership Association seeks to do God’s work by providing resources for practical and spiritual care.

    The diverse programs aim to bring together youth from the Israeli and Palestinian communities in Jerusalem in an attempt at creating open spaces of interaction, communication and bonding among the participants.

    TCPA’s activities include:
  • Providing people and buildings for education at all levels
  • expansion of worship in the cathedral and churches which they have built throughout east Tanzania
  • training ministers and providing bibles
  • working closely with farmers and providing livestock
  • providing medical services in their own purpose-built clinic and resourcing travelling nurses to visit remote villages


  • So please pray for:
    • The people of Tanzania, and the work of the Churches there.
    • The humanitarian and spiritual ministry of TCPA.




    February’s Charity of the month: The Church Army(www.churcharmy.org.uk)

    The Church Army is about sharing faith through words and action to transform lives by making Jesus famous. Their focus is on the 7 out of 10 people who have little or no meaningful contact with church.

    What the Church Army says about its aims and values:
    Listening to God: We take the time to be open to God, willing to listen and open to change.
    Respect: We recognise that all people are created in the image of God and that all people are valued equally by God.
    Professionalism: Striving for the highest standards in all that we do.
    Partnership: We are part of the Christian community, called to work with each other, with compatible agencies and with the wider church.
    Words and Action: We are committed to sharing the Christian faith through words and action.

    The Church Army aims to be a leading organisation in the training, equipping and deploying of Evangelists, to develop appropriate and relevant forms of Christian community for pioneering situations.

    So please pray for:
    • The work of the Church Army in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
    • All those who have yet to hear the gospel, or who do not yet have a relationship with God.




    January’s Charity of the month: Christians Against Poverty (www.capuk.org)

    Christians Against Poverty is a national debt counselling charity with a network of 82 centres based in local churches across the UK. CAP offers hope and a solution to anyone in debt through its unique, in-depth service.

    John Kirkby founded CAP in 1996 in response to the tremendous poverty he saw in his home city of Bradford. As a Christian, he believed God was calling him to use the skills gained through 17 years experience in the consumer finance industry to reach out to people suffering under the burden of debt.
    He writes: “I am overwhelmed by what God has done. To see thousands of lives changed every year is truly wonderful. I do believe that God has given us a 21st Century answer to one of the most pressing social needs within society today. Jesus met people's needs with love, compassion and practical help. Our desire is to simply do the same and watch the miracles unfold”
    CAP works with families to get their debt under control, work out their spending budgets, and negotiate with their creditors the terms for manageable repayment. CAP aims to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, demonstrating the love of God and giving new hope to those in despair. So please pray for:
    • All clients of CAP
    • For all the homeless, destitute and desperate, that they may find the help they need.
    • All those facing debt this year, for whatever reason
    • Those whose homes are at risk through repossession
    • CAP debt counsellors in their work to support families in debt crisis
    • All those most seriously affected by the current economic crisis
    • The banking and financial services industries in their responsibility to advise with wisdom, and lend with realism


    We come together in church to worship God, to hear His word and to share the Good news of Jesus,
    receiving forgiveness and renewal through His death and resurrection.

    We are sent out from church to live as Christian disciples, showing love to others
    and living out our faith in all we think, say and do.

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