Challenging Poverty is one of four priorities in Durham Diocese. This section sets out what we do in this parish to express our commitment to respond to God's call to "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour" Deut 15-7.
There is poverty and need in our local community. We collect for our local foodbank run by The Well in West Auckland (box in the porch). We pray for change and take part in Poverty Sunday run by Church Action on Poverty, a UK charity working for justice in our country through both practical action and campaigns. Their latest initiative is called Just Church and the next Poverty Sunday is on 18 October 2026. (To find out more go to church-poverty.org.uk)
Here is a link to the Diocesan framework :- https://durhamdiocese.org/challenging-poverty .
Yawning inequalities scar the world – 750million people live on less than $2 a day.This Church has a long tradition of supporting Christian Aid , a major charity working across the globe to respond to emergencies and work with partners for long term change. (To find out more go to christianaid.org.uk/).
Every May we join the local Methodists in Christian Aid Week when we collect across Barnard Castle. This year it will be 10-16 May. In Advent and Lent we hold Friday lunches in the Parish Hall to raise money and awareness. The dates are always in the events section of this website.
Climate Change is a problem for farmers everywhere- from Teesdale to Tanzania. The increasing frequency of floods and droughts is making it impossible for many people across the globe to make a living as they once did.
This church is an Eco church – this means we have committed to protect and care for the natural world and equip our members to care for the environment. We try to live out these principles in the way we manage our fabric and we hold events and services addressing the theme of God’s creation.
This too is a Durham Diocese priority – https://durhamdiocese.org/support-for-mission/caring-for-gods-creation/ .