Each year we give a tenth of the church’s income to a missions, charities and agencies at home and abroad.  Recently the Parochial Church Council decided to focus the giving on 6 charities: 3 local and 3 overseas.  In addition the congregations of St Peter’s and St Mark’s have responded generously to special appeals.

 (formerly SAMS)

We have supported SAMS in their work in Paraguay for many years prior to the merger with CMS.  The Bishop of Paraguay Revd Peter Bartlett and his wife Sally took over from Revd John and Judie Ellison in March 2009. Bishop Peter sees his main challenge as building team work and helping others use their gifts.  As he learns to minister to such a diverse diocese, he wants to “help Paraguayans become passionate for God”.

Paraguay is at the heart of South America hemmed in by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.  Twice the size of the UK, it has only one tenth of that country’s population and endures a cycle of corruption and poverty which restrains development.  In the capital Asuncion there is the cathedral and nine congregations around the city.  St Andrew’s School (fee paying) is supported by the Diocese.  The fees and the students from the school in turn help in schools run by the Diocese in poorer areas of the city.  There are many other churches throughout Paraguay. 

Click here to visit the CMS website www.cms-uk.org/

Rwanda - Kigeme Diocese

For many years St Mary and St Andrew’s Church in Maidenhead has had contact with Kigeme Diocese in Rwanda.  In 2007 and in 2009 groups of people from St Peter’s and St Mark’s joined the party from St Mary’s in a fact finding visit to Rwanda, which also involved some hands on projects.  The visitors were made very welcome and realised that much needed to be done to help the people of Rwanda.  Money being given by the parish is at present paying for secondary education for a group of children whose parents were unable to afford to keep them in school.  Money left over after the 2009 visit was spent in part on bicycles to enable church leaders to visit their parishioners.  Small practical projects can make a real difference.

Visit our Recent Events page to find out about the Summer 2009 visit to Rwanda by members of our church.

Click here to visit the Rwanda website: www.rdis-rwanda.org/

At Home we support 3 charities

 Re:Charge Café

The Bridge Trust is a registered Christian charity based in Maidenhead, who reach out to the young people of the area by welcoming them into the Re:Charge café and drop in centre in King Street, Maidenhead.  The cafê supports young parents (aged 15 – 25) during the day and young people (aged 11 – 18) during the evening.  Trained staff and volunteers befriend, mentor and connect young people to other local organisations and agencies who can offer the help they need. 

Click here to visit the Bridge Trust website: www.bridgetrust.org.uk/recharge

Scripture Union

Using the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.

“God has called Scripture Union to serve a world in great spiritual need.  Our long term vision, which inspires and motivates our mission, is for:

  •   every Christian to be engaging enthusiastically with the Bible and growing in their faith;

  •   every church to be fully equipped to make disciples of children and young people; and

  •   every community to have a vital Christian witness to children, young people and families.” 

Scripture Union’s local worker Wayne Dixon has been visiting secondary schools in the Maidenhead area for many years, conducting a “hanging around ministry”.   Wayne’s work over many years has really been appreciated by pupils.  Scripture Union provides much of the material used at St Peter’s when local school children visit the churches at Christmas and New Year. 

Click here to visit the Scripture Union website: www.scriptureunion.org.uk/

  Yeldall Manor

Yeldall Manor is a residential rehabilitation centre near Wargrave which provides a Christian response for men with drug and/or alcohol addictions.  There is a very supportive, caring environment for these men who have experienced difficult, and often desperate, circumstances.  Yeldall offers a Christian based programme to help them overcome drug dependency, re-connect with families and find employment.   Click here to visit the Yeldall Manor website: www.yeldall.co.uk

Other Charities Supported

St. Lawrence’s Church, Mansfield

We have supported St Lawrence's Church, Mansfield over a number of years.  At Christmas we organise a toy collection for the children of that parish, and occasionally help out in other ways. 
Click here to visit the Mansfield churches site, or find where Mansfield is here:  www.achurchnearyou.com/mansfield-st-lawrence

St Mark’s Church

St Mark’s Church members contribute to the above charities through pledged giving.  However, in addition they also support some other charities from the loose collection taken up in church.

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital

In 2009 this world famous hospital was the main beneficiary of St Mark’s giving

League of Friends of St Mark’s Hospital 

This charity provides extras for patients in St Mark’s Hospital.

Leprosy Mission  

Their website www.leprosymission.org.uk  gives the following objective: “Our mission is to minister in the name of Jesus Christ to the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of individuals and communities disadvantaged by leprosy; working with them to uphold human dignity and eradicate leprosy.”

Seafarers Mission

The Mission to Seafarers works all around the world caring for the spiritual and practical welfare of seafarers and their families.  Their work is currently represented in 230 ports world wide.  The role of the Mission is to have mission chaplains, ship visitors and volunteers who will provide friendship, support and a welcome to hundreds of thousands of seamen and women.  It can be a lonely life as shipping patterns are constantly changing to meet new needs.  However, those on board ships know that where they see the blue Flying Angel sign there is a welcome. 
Click here to visit the Seafarers Mission website: www.missiontoseafarers.org