Dear Friends

While we continue to face uncertainty in our economic and political life here in the UK, it is important that we continue to set our concerns in the context of the wider world.

It seems a long time since the G8 leaders were committing themselves and their communities to the Millennium Development Goals but the reality is that those goals have yet to be met. Poverty and homelessness continue to be the lot of countless of our brothers and sisters across the world. Too often they are the ones who pay the price when richer nations tighten their own belts. They are the ones whose voices are all too rarely heard in the Councils of the Nations.

As Christians we believe not only that every human being matters but that we as brothers and sisters in Christ bear responsibility for each other's care and flourishing. Our annual Poverty and Hope appeal gives us all an opportunity to support worthwhile causes and individuals in some of the most challenged countries of the world with whom we have direct links.

The scripture reading for this year from Isaiah remind us that God will always give energy and strength to those who grow weary and faint.

May his intention of giving power to the weak be en-fleshed in our generosity. In so doing may all of our communities receive too the strength to soar as on eagles wings; to run and not feel faint, march on and not grow weary (Isaiah 40: 31).

With my blessing

+Trevor