Extraordinary Love

Dear Friends

Christian Aid Week is an annual event organised by Christian Aid, a humanitarian global movement of people, churches and local organisations that works to end poverty and promote social justice worldwide. This year Christian Aid Week will start from May 12 to 18. It will focus on the cost-of-living crisis faced by many people worldwide. This year Christian Aid Week is supporting projects in Burundi. Burundi is an impoverished African country that we don’t often hear much of but has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world, particularly among children under five years. The climate change and the cost-of-living crisis have worsened the situation.

As we embark on this week-long journey of compassion and solidarity, let us keep in mind the words of Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." As we prepare to enter Christian Aid Week, I am reminded of the intense impact our collective efforts can have on the lives of those in need. This yearly observance is not just a passing moment in our calendar but an opportunity for us to live out our faith in tangible ways, extending love and compassion to our global family.

Christian Aid Week serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity in a world marked by challenges and uncertainties. It is a reminder that, as followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of transformation, working towards a world where justice, equality, and dignity prevail for all God's children. As a community, we are called to reflect together on God's extraordinary love and the call to love our neighbours. This year, as we continue to navigate the complexities of climate change and wars in different parts of the world, the need for our support is greater than ever. This has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable communities, exacerbating poverty, hunger, and inequality. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, we are called to respond with generosity and compassion.

Through our partnership with Christian Aid, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those suffering. Whether it's providing access to clean water, supporting sustainable livelihoods, or advocating for the rights of marginalised groups, our contributions can help break the cycle of poverty and injustice. In Matthew 25.31-40: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me…’, Jesus sets out in the strongest terms the call to serve one another. We are called to love in action, serving our neighbours by ending hunger and thirst, and by sheltering and caring for those who have been unjustly treated. We are to show this love in action not only to people we know but also to the ‘stranger’, who we should welcome as a friend.

I encourage all of us to prayerfully consider how we can participate in Christian Aid Week this year. Whether through donating our time, talents, or resources, our involvement matters. Together, we can demonstrate God's love in action and bring hope to communities around the world. May the church be reminded to fulfil its mission to alleviate poverty and promote social justice. May our actions during Christian Aid Week reflect our commitment to these values, and may God's grace and blessing be upon us as we seek to serve others with love and compassion.

In Christ's love

Rev Rosemary Mutopo