Christian Aid News

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Through the combined effort of the Carluke Churches working together, a record breaking £9650 was raised and sent to Christian Aid H.Q. this year. The funds were raised during Christian Aid Week 2004 and also from the proceeds of a number of other fund-raising events held throughout the year.

The Christian Aid Committee, comprising representatives from St Andrew's, Kirkton, St Athanasius, URC and of course St John's, meets regularly throughout the year, not only to prepare for Christian Aid Week, but also to promote Christian Aid and organise fund raising events all year round.

One such recent event was Christmas at your Fingertips, a demonstration of floral art by Liz Paterson from Kirkton Church combined with a demonstration of gift wrapping by one of our own church members, Marion Moffat. This event was held on 24th November and what a resounding success it was! Liz and Marion not only ably demonstrated their talent and skill in working with flowers, paper and ribbon, but also entertained the audience with their witty anecdotes.

Credit is also due to our local Scotmid store who generously donated Fairtrade produce which folks were invited to sample in the course of the evening. So not only did the event increase awareness of the availability of fairly traded produce, it also raised £540 for Christian Aid.

We're pleased to have secured the Recreation Centre for this year's Christmas Festival of Praise and we're also delighted that SHINE, under the direction of Gordon Begg, will feature in the programme. SHINE is a Youth Theatre Music Group of children, between the ages of ten and seventeen, drawn from around South Lanarkshire. Don't miss out on what will be a joyous evening of praise on Sunday 12th December at 7.00pm. A collection will be taken for Christian Aid.

Looking ahead to 2005, the renowned Kirkton Players have kindly agreed to stage a one-off performance of 'The Steamie' for Christian Aid in Kirkton Church Hall on Saturday 5th March. Tickets will go on sale at the end of January, so book your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

The committee is working towards Carluke gaining Fairtrade Town status. Preparations are in hand to hold an awareness event during Fairtrade Fortnight 1st - 13th March 2005 when local councillors, politicians, representatives of the business community and other interested organisations will be invited to support this initiative and make a commitment to promoting Fairtrade products in the workplace.

Next year will mark an important milestone for Christian Aid when it will celebrate its 60th birthday!

And finally, one other date for your diary! Christian Aid Week 2005 will run from 15th May to 21st May.