The Mission and Social Concerns Group was formed in 1999/2000 to discuss topics of social concern such as world poverty, asylum seekers, world trade etc. and also the Mission of the Church in General.
Aims of the Group
St Thomas's church appeal
To witness, raise awareness and encourage active participation in matters of mission and social concern, both locally and worldwide.
To hold fund raising events during the year to enable us to support financially areas of mission or social concern.
To foster and promote mutual understanding through our partnership with the church in Colbitz in the former East Germany.

 

 

 
Articles and Updates
MISSION GARDEN PARTY
In 2013 the Mission Garden Party will take place on 13th July
Colbitz Visit - click here

In 2013 it will be the turn of our partner church in Colbitz, Germany to visit us, and we look forward to welcoming our friends from 17th - 21st October. The parish of Colbitz is near Magdeburg and has over recent years incorporated more local villages in the area: Lindhorst, Dolle, Burgstall, Cröchern and Uchtdorf.

Churches Together in Stourbridge - Click here
Helderberg Street People's Centre - Lent Appeal
Christian Aid Week - May 12th - 18th 2013

In 2012 the total raised by St Thomas's including the street collections and a donation from the Lent courses was £920.81
Fairtrade

St Thomas ’s Church has been very active with other members of Churches Together in Stourbridge in promoting Fairtrade locally. Fairtrade really started in the UK when Traidcraft was founded as a “Christian Response to Poverty” in 1979. The Traidcraft catalogue now displays the strapline “Fighting Poverty through Trade.” In 1992 they founded the Fairtrade Foundation together with Christian Aid, Oxfam, the World Development Movement, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Catholic World Development Agency, CAFOD.
The Stourbridge Fairtrade group celebrated in September 2010 when Stourbridge was awarded Fairtrade Town Status by the national Fairtrade Foundation and a celebratory launch was held in St Thomas ’s Church Hall in Fairtrade Fortnight in March 2011.
Thanks to its many supporters in Stourbridge, churches, schools, individuals, shops and catering outlets Fairtrade has gone from strength to strength. The Town renewed its status in December 2011 and the Stourbridge Fairtrade Town Steering Group was awarded a Best Media Campaign Award by the Fairtrade Foundation in July 2012 for the variety of its use of different media…..Press releases, letters to the Press, its annual newsletter, its broadcasts on The ’Bridge Radio and its presence on the Stourbridge.com website …many thanks to Colin MacDonald! See www.stourbridge.com.
The schools event at Redhill School in Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 created a great Rap about Fairtrade featured on YouTube by Mr FX. See the website of the Fairtrade Foundation for lots more information and for a link to the rap! You can search for “ Fairtrade Rapper” on www.Fairtrade.org.uk
Fairtrade supporters in Stourbridge are getting ready to mark Fairtrade Fortnight in 2013 from Monday February 25th to Sunday March 10th.
For more information about Fairtrade at St Thomas ’s contact Virginia Williams on 07866 171784.
Links
www.rejesus.co.uk
www.christianaid.org.uk
www.cofe.anglican.org