Christian Aid kicks off their annual fundraising appeal
Published on 13 May 2022
Christian Aid Week gets under way on Sunday 15 May, running until Saturday 21 May, with this year's annual fundraising appeal filled with inspiring worship services, events, challenges and reflections from a whole host of leading figures.
This year, Dr John Sentamu, Chair of Christian Aid, will be in Edinburgh to launch Christian Aid Week.
Dr Sentamu, a former Archbishop of York and a leading evangelist, will be speaking at two church services on Sunday 15 May, including a joint morning service with the congregation from St Andrews and St George's West at Broughton St Mary's at 10:30am, and an Evensong service at St John's Episcopal Church at 6pm. This service will also be livestreamed via Facebook.
Christian Aid Book Sale
One of the yearly highlights in the calendar is the Christian Aid Book Sale at St Andrew's and St George's West church in Edinburgh, which this year celebrates its 50th sale.
Organisers have recently received a letter from 10 Downing Street congratulating them for all they've achieved since the sale started in 1973.
Head of Christian Aid Scotland, Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, said:
"There is real excitement building ahead of the 50th sale, which returns in full force on Saturday and is being opened by Dr John Sentamu.
"To get back to business as usual after the pandemic is a welcome relief for all involved.
"We are indebted to the volunteers who put so much time and energy into making this sale happen, not just on the day but in the weeks and months ahead of the sale.
"And the money raised for Christian Aid will make a huge difference. Right now, conflict, climate change and Covid-19 are colliding to make access to food and water more challenging than ever, especially in places like Ukraine, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Zimbabwe.
"Christian Aid works through local partners to support those most in need: the road ahead is bumpy but step by step we are changing lives."
The book sale for Christian Aid at St Andrew's and St George's West Church, George Street, opens on 14 May (10am-4pm) and runs again from Monday 16 until Friday 20 May (10am-3:30pm) with late opening on 19 May until 7pm.
Another popular book sale, raising money for Christian Aid Week, is the Holy Corner book sale in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, which also returns this year. This is taking place on Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May at Morningside United Church. Opening times: Saturday 14 May: 10am-5pm (refreshments available 10am-4pm) andSunday 15 May 1pm-5pm.
The Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches will also be running their own book sale at the Howard Centre in Kilmarnock on Saturday 14 May from 11am-1pm.
Listen to Janet Zirugo's story
In her village in Zimbabwe, Janet Zirugo, 70, has seen first-hand the desperate hunger that drought causes.
Watch the below video to hear Janet's story of overcoming hardships in her own powerful words.
A Christian Aid sermon from Rev Sally Foster-Fulton
Sally Foster-Fulton reflects on the biblical call from John chapter 13 to 'love one another'.