The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.

Holy Rood Church’s Lent Appeal - Church Urban Fund

The Church Urban Fund is 21 years old this year, but it still needs our help!

Since its foundation in 1987, the Church Urban Fund has invested more than £60million in over 5,000 local faith-based projects in the poorest areas of England. Key areas of work involve partnering with other organisations to tackle the roots of poverty, advocating on behalf of faith communities and their work at the grassroots, the giving of grants, developing of research and the championing of causes related to poverty.

Although it started out to help the disadvantaged in the inner cities, it is not exclusively urban, but gives grants in support of work in any area which meets criteria based on government indices measuring social and economic of deprivation, so some rural areas may benefit from its grants.

Collection boxes for use at home will be available in church from the beginning of Lent.

Lent Lunches 2008

During Lent members of the churches that belong to Wool Churches Together gather for a frugal lunch of bread and homemade soup. Monies raised from donations are given to support of the work of Christian Aid and CAFOD. We issue a warm invitation to everyone, whether a regular churchgoer or not, to join us at the Methodist Chapel, 12.00-1.30pm on Wednesdays 13th, 20th, 27th February, 5th and 12th March.

Christmas Appeals

Thank you to all who contributed to the special collections over the Christmas season: The Christingle Service and Wool First School together have raised £132.93 for The Children’s Society. The Alternative Christmas card raised £135.50 for World Vision.

WaterAid - Jars for Change 2007

Jars for Change

The WaterAid Lent Appeal 2007 was called “Jars of Change for Jars of Water” and asked us to fill empty jars with loose change, which the charity WaterAid will use to provide clean water in areas of Africa and Asia.

Thanks to everyone who collected their change for the WaterAid Appeal during Lent. £275.00 was raised for the work of WaterAid- there is still more to come in, and there may be an update in June's magazine.

Christian Aid Week 13th -19th May 2007

Christian Aid works in more than 50 countries helping people regardless of religion or race to improve their own lives and tackle the causes of poverty and injustice.

This year’s theme was, ‘Mind the Gap’.

We live in a world where one third lives in excess whilst two thirds live in poverty.

Wool Churches Together have held a street collection outside the Post Office in Wool during the week, and Gift Aid envelopes are still available in the churches.

If you would like more information on the work of Christian Aid please contact Rhona or go to their website www.christianaid.org.uk.

Parish Visiting (started August 2005 and ongoing)

As part of our work we pray regularly for the people of this parish.

Each week we will visit one of the streets that we are praying for during that week.

A small group started on a project to visit every household in every street in the Parish. This started in August 2005. This will take a considerable amount of time, probably several years.

It restarts each year in May (after the winter break) as we do need lighter evenings to do this.

When we visit you, or at any time, if there are any people or situations you would like us to hold in our prayers please let us know.

You are always welcome to call Rhona on 01929 462215.

Lois Clark

Lois has now completed her two years service in Marseilles and has returned to the UK.

She is fit and well but tired after her hard work.