SHERBORNE ABBEY

with

CASTLETON and SAINT PAUL’S

LENT PROJECT 2013

This year we are supporting the work of

ACROSS

“Transforming Lives and Communities in South Sudan”

 Our mission partner Helen Burningham will be working with ACROSS in BOMA

and

 THE  RENDEZVOUS

 A place where young people of Sherborne and surrounding area can meet and receive guidance

through our prayers, interests and gifts

More details about the work of ACROSS and The Rendezvous are given below and on their respective websites:

ACROSS:  www.across-sudan.org

The Rendezvous: www.therendezvous.org.uk

GIFTS:  To make a gift, simply write ‘Lent Project’ on one of the yellow envelopes.  If you are a taxpayer please would you fill in the details on the front of the envelope so that tax may then be reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme.   Cheques should be made payable to “Sherborne PCC” 

How can I return my donation?

Leave it in the Parish Office

On a collection plate at any of the services – make sure that you are using one of the envelopes labelled ‘LENT PROJECT’

ACROSS

In January our new CMS mission partner, Helen Burningham, went to South Sudan where she is linked to an organisation called ACROSS. She is based in Boma, which is near the Ethiopian border. She will be working with local churches using community development and the arts in mission, especially in the area of youth work. 

What is ACROSS?

Founded in 1972 by four mission societies ACROSS is committed to “transforming lives and communities” in South Sudan. About 250 Sudanese people as well as a small contingent of expatriate personnel drawn from more than 20 international and local partners now help to run programmes within the communities they serve.  They target the needs of the ‘whole’ person in four key areas: physical, spiritual, mental and social.  Programmes are run from four main locations in South Sudan: Juba, Yei, Rumbek and Boma.   

The following few examples give a flavour of the many projects in which ACROSS is involved: 

• Education:  The teacher training college in Yei has 200 full-time students and provides residential in-service training during school holidays; organising the building and running of primary schools; providing adult literacy classes; running a preschool for about fifty four-year old children in Boma.
• Health: Involvement of the Health team in the South Sudan Healthcare Alliance; HIV/AIDS literacy training.
• Agriculture:  Development of “farmers’ groups” which have resulted in improved livelihoods; running an agricultural training centre near Rumbek – the curriculum includes not only how to grow crops, but also sanitation, health, natural medicines, nutrition, soil conservation and water management.
• Community: Community initiated projects have included the construction of two bridges which has given greater access to markets and allowed a mobile health clinic to start visiting once a week; support for returning refugees e.g. provision of temporary accommodation, health services, trauma healing and peace building.
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How are we going to help?

As our Lent Project collection is for the work of ACROSS we are showing our support for Helen in the work in which she is involved in South Sudan. 

A prayer for the work of ACROSS 

We give you thanks, our Father, for the mission societies of the Church and for those who are working to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We pray for our mission partner, Helen Burningham, as she begins her work with ACROSS in Boma, South Sudan.  As we thank you for ACROSS’s faithful witness over many years to the transforming power of the gospel, we pray for those involved in their different teams today as they walk with the broken hearted and proclaim a different way of life. May the impact of their programmes and projects be to your glory and may they continue to grow both spiritually and professionally. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.  Amen 

THE RENDEZVOUS 

The Rendezvous, located in the crypt of Cheap Street Church, is a place where the young people of Sherborne and the surrounding area can meet and receive guidance. 

When did the Rendezvous begin?

It was established in 1998 because of a sense that the town lacked a relaxed social space for those aged 14 to 25.  Soon afterwards a qualified youth worker was appointed as manager and in the early days she patrolled the streets encouraging young people to attend the centre. 

How has the Centre developed?

• Initially run by concerned local citizens, the efforts of volunteers are now augmented by a team of professional youth workers able to advise those whose lives are impaired by issues such as family and relationship problems, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse.  In addition, training is offered, particularly for those ‘not in education or employment’, in numeracy and literacy as well as computing and interview techniques.
• A recently refurbished music and sound recording studio enables troubled teenagers with perhaps few formal qualifications to develop their potential and sharpen their skills by learning to play instruments or record lyrics. Many teenagers are using the upgraded studio and consequently boosting their confidence.
• The Gryphon School sends pupils who need support through individual counselling or training or group discussion. In November a member of one of these groups which was led by two Rendezvous staff, sent an e-mail:  “I come down to the Rendezvous every Monday with the Gryphon School to talk about our self-esteem. I would just like to give those guys a massive thank you because I have been able to talk to other people that I didn’t really know and been able to use those skills that we have learned.  You guys are doing such a wonderful thing for the community of Sherborne and Dorset and I am very grateful.’
• Not all the young people who come to the centre have problems.  Some do and with support have formed stable relationships, graduated from university, and embarked on fulfilling careers.
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How are we going to help?

The money from our Lent Project will assist in the cost of tuition within the centre and also the provision of music lessons for their young people.  

A prayer for the work of The Rendezvous

God our Father, we pray for the young people of our town growing up in an unstable and confusing world.  Help them to realise that facing problems and failure is not a measure of their worth, but is a chance for a new start. We pray for all involved in the work of The Rendezvous.  May the leaders have wisdom, patience and skill as they work with the different groups who use the centre. We pray also that the executive committee and supporters may be able to provide encouragement and resources to enable the work to flourish. May all who use the centre know that they are loved and valued.  Amen