![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/St-Marys-church.jpg?resize=600%2C68\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
CONSIDERING OTHERS DURING ADVENT<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \n This year during Advent we are considering others in need both locally and farther afield<\/p>\n Each Sunday throughout Advent we will remember those locally who are struggling financially and those farther afield who may have lost everything they own and are displaced away from their homes.<\/p>\n Locally we already donate goods each week to the Vale Foodbank. The goods are taken to the warehouse in Barry, which services 8 contact centres around the Vale. The Foodbank is affiliated to the Trussel Trust, whose philosophy is: \u201cWe don\u2019t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry\u201d.<\/p>\n To access help individuals or families need a referral from someone in the caring services for 3 days emergency food. Two examples of those who have needed help include:<\/p>\n Holly<\/strong> <\/em>who is a single parent with a daughter. She lived in a poor area with drug taking and trading all around, sometimes outside her door. She moved to a better area to be near her parents, however her rent doubled. She had never claimed benefits and remained independent setting up a small business selling second hand clothes. She did this from her home until she gained a space in a local shop to increase her sales. All was going well until her daughter became ill culminating in her needing a stay in hospital for 3 weeks. When she came home soon their cupboards were bare, bills were rising, and debts seemed inevitable. After seeking help at a Citizen Advice Bureau she was referred to her local Foodbank<\/p>\n Richard<\/strong><\/em> had been in the police force for 6 years followed by 12 years in the military. He was fit and did not foresee any problems. However, he then had a chest infection followed by two major strokes, 19 mini strokes, and was deemed unfit to work. He needs constant medication and found the cost of transport to get his prescription expensive, and so he found he had to choose between his prescription and buying food. He like Holly was referred to the Foodbank by Citizens Advice.<\/p>\n Both Holly and Richard saw the Foodbank as a lifeline, where they were made to feel welcome and cared for. Indeed, it was the way help was given that gave them encouragement and took away fears about seeking help<\/p>\n Current information of the Vale: During October there were 680 referrals, of which 438 were adults and 242 Children (of those 88 were new referrals). Stock was low during the summer months due to increased referrals, however many donations from Harvest celebrations have made improvements. These should help until January, however this prediction is causing concern as in previous years these Harvest collections should last through to the spring.<\/p>\n Looking further afield Christian Aid helps us to identify communities and individuals who also need our actions. Not all places in crisis reach our TVs or newspapers, or the media soon loses their interest.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Room for Comfort and Joy\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The Republic of Sudan has been at war between factions within the military since 2023. 15 thousand have lost their lives and 9 million have been displaced. There is evidence of killings, looting and sexual violence. Many of those fleeing for their lives have made their way to South Sudan, where the UN has declared the situation as the world\u2019s worst hunger crisis. It is there we find Christian Aid taking action.<\/p>\n Here in South Sudan we meet Sheda<\/strong><\/em> who is married with 3 children. The youngest is 6 and the eldest also has a 6 year old. Previously she lived in the Republic of Sudan, where she farmed her food organically and though poor the family were able to care for themselves. Looking back to March 2023 Sheda describes: \u201cFighting broke out and homes were bombed, food was no longer available. The situation was dire. Conditions were very bad for us\u201d.<\/p>\n Sheda\u2019s brothers were killed and she decided to travel with her daughters and granddaughter to South Sudan, her husband stayed and she has not heard from him since. They had no belongings, just the clothes on them.<\/p>\n At the settlement Sheda who previously grew her own food now relies on food and cash supplied from Christian Aid and their partners.<\/p>\n Our role this Advent:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Vale Foodbank: We will be concentrating on collecting food, both festive foods and staple items, to replenish food stocks. Suggested foods for Christmas parcels include, Tinned ham and salmon, Christmas or sponge puddings, Christmas biscuits, Selection boxes, Custard, Savoury snacks, Christmas cake or mince pies.<\/p>\n If you would like to contribute there are collection boxes in the church porch which are emptied regularly.<\/p>\n Sudan Crisis: A Retiring collection for the settlements in South Sudan, will be taken each Sunday in Advent. envelopes will be made available for gift aid.<\/p>\n For further information please contact Jude Billingham on 01756112897<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CONSIDERING OTHERS DURING ADVENT\u00a0 This year during Advent we are considering others in need both locally and farther afield Each Sunday throughout Advent we will remember those locally who are struggling financially and those farther afield who may have lost everything they own and are displaced away from their homes. Locally we already donate goods each week to the Vale […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s6cWjO-14925","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16330,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=16330","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":0},"title":"Advent 2025","author":"Alan Williams","date":"30th November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"ADVENT 2025 Following last year\u2019s success, our Advent appeal will help others both locally and further afield through Christian Aid and the Vale Foodbank. Christian Aid\u2019s appeal for Christmas 2025 is for those living in crisis situations where they need emergency help urgently where they live or where they are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8505,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=8505","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":1},"title":"Wenvoe Advent Windows","author":"Alan Williams","date":"30th October 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Wenvoe Advent Windows Thank you to everyone for your interest in our idea of having Wenvoe Advent Windows happening throughout December (see September edition of \u2018Whats On\u2019). We are especially grateful to have willing volunteers who have been included in the plans to light up a window this Advent. Consequently\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Interest Articles"","block_context":{"text":"General Interest Articles","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=334"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10602,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=10602","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":2},"title":"Wenvoe Advent Windows","author":"Alan Williams","date":"19th November 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"ADVENT WINDOWS A St. Mary\u2019s initiative for the whole community The plans are going ahead for the Wenvoe Advent Windows. Many local people have volunteered to decorate a window to be revealed during Advent on a given day from 1st until 24th December when all windows will be decorated for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Interest Articles"","block_context":{"text":"General Interest Articles","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=334"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8646,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=8646","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":3},"title":"Jon’s Notes","author":"Alan Williams","date":"28th November 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Dear All, This year the Season of Advent commences on 29th November. A traditional theme for Advent is From Darkness into Light. I cannot remember a year when this theme has ever been so appropriate. For many months we have lived in times of lockdowns and isolation. The drawing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "St Mary's Parish Church News"","block_context":{"text":"St Mary's Parish Church News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12322,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12322","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":4},"title":"We Need More Volunteers!","author":"Alan Williams","date":"11th October 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"ADVENT WINDOWS 2022 We need more volunteers! We are planning Wenvoe Advent Windows 2022 following the success of the last two years. Since September\u2019s What\u2019s On we have been pleased to receive a number of requests to take part. However, we need more volunteers to fill the 24 slots of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10946,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=10946","url_meta":{"origin":14925,"position":5},"title":"Advent Windows Great Success","author":"Alan Williams","date":"6th February 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"ADVENT WINDOWS A St. Mary\u2019s initiative for the whole community Wenvoe Advent Windows 2021 was a great success. This is the second year residents volunteered to decorate a window on a given date in Advent, so that a new window was lit up each night from 1st to 24th December.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Interest Articles"","block_context":{"text":"General Interest Articles","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=334"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14925"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14925"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14927,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14925\/revisions\/14927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n
\n
\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"