galogo
Bulletin Jan-Feb 2017
Dear Friends,
A belated Happy Christmas and New Year from the Global Aware team! I love the thought of Jesus as the giver of new starts: ‘See I make all things new’ he says. My prayer is not only that we experience new starts as we journey in to 2017, but that we see a new wave of mercy and peace in situations where conflict has been going on for years. May we all play our part in bringing mercy and peace, to a world so desperately in need.
 
Prayers

Yemen
Continue to lift up the ongoing crisis in Yemen – pray for peace and a sound resolution; and that all those suffering will be able to receive the help they so desperately need.
Syria
Pray for peace. Pray for refugees who have recently left Aleppo, and all other Syrian refugees many of whom are yet to reach a place of safety. Thank God for poor communities throughout the world who generously share what they have with people seeking sanctuary.
Prayer for those rebuilding their lives after disaster
O God, our refuge and strength, 
our help in times of trouble.

Have mercy on the lands where the earth has given way. 
Have mercy on the lands where the weather has destroyed livelihoods. 
Prosper those who rebuild houses, 
and strengthen those who rebuild hope 
so that entire communities 
may face the future without fear.
Amen.

 
Actions

1. The Big Shift Campaign– update! Join the next phase of the Big Shift campaign, ask your bank to help combat climate change by moving our money out of fossil fuels. Click here
2. Use Your Energy For Good! CAFOD’s Campaign One in five of our brothers and sisters around the world don’t have the electricity they need to power school, clinics, homes and businesses.
Local, renewable energy is a practical, affordable solution. It helps tackle climate change and poverty. Now it's time to get every MP to speak up for investment in renewable energy that reaches the poorest people. Please email your MP now.
3. Bike to Bethlehem!
This Saturday, Rev Tom Yacomeni, Rev Dougie Burnett and Rev Dan Doherty are cycling to Bethlehem in South Wales in support of Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal – Light The Way. It’s not too late to support them and donate to the international development work of Christian Aid.  Click to sponsor Tom or Dougie !
 
Events
1. 2017 Global Aware Conference
Gender Equality; overcoming poverty through transformation and partnership

The 2017 Global Aware conference will focus on gender equality and the impact it has on communities across the globe.
You’ll meet likeminded people who care about people and planet, gain knowledge of the specific issues encountered when tackling gender equality, and be inspired to bring about change in your life and the lives of others.
4th February 2017, 9.30-1pm, Woodlands Church, Woodlands Road, Clifton, BS8 2AA (registration from 9am)
For tickets click here
Please reply to this email if you would like some flyers to advertise the conference, letting us know how many you would like and where we should send them.
2. World Leprosy Sunday, 29th January 2017
Over 3 million people in the poorest countries of the world are currently affected by leprosy; one new case is diagnosed every 2 minutes. The Leprosy Mission is inviting churches to hold a service or take up a collection between Jan-March to help rebuild Purulia Hospital outpatients dept that now sees more than 300 people a day and is at breaking point.
For full details and resources see World Leprosy Sunday or contact our Regional Manager, Jenny Foster, to arrange a talk at your church or group
3. “Hard To Believe” a screening of the award-winning documentary
Wednesday 25th January 2017, 16:00-18:00
The Conference Room, City Hall, College Green, BRISTOL BS1 5TR
Free tickets c/o: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-with-qa-on-organ-harvesting-in-china-bristolafohzsrorguk-tickets-30220752083
The screening lasts 1 hour.  Afterwards, for about an hour, a panel will answer questions about forced organ harvesting in China.  The panel:
 * Ethan Gutmann, author of a major book on the issue of organ harvesting in China: Ffi: http://ethan-gutmann.com/about/
* Benedict Rogers of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, author of the CPHRC's "The Darkest Moment: The Crackdown on Human Rights in China 2013-2016".
 
With thanks for your continued support in all things Global Aware!

--
Dan Doherty,
 
The Global Aware Team