Our church has been a Fairtrade Church for many years now. But what does it mean? Do we remember why we do it?
It means that producers in other countries can receive a fair price for their produce. It means they have the money to purchase fertilizers and other items to help improve the quality of their crop. In their community it can also mean that medical facilities and education can be paid for and provided.
We always serve Fairtrade tea, coffee and have Fairtrade sugar for our drinks after our Worship on Sundays and at all our meetings and events. We haven’t yet gone down the route of Fairtrade biscuits on a regular basis. We do recognise that Fairtrade produce may be a little more expensive – but it can make such a difference it really is a part of the mission of this church.
For the last few years, during Fairtrade Fortnight we have organised a Big Brew – a Fairtrade tea and coffee morning to encourage people to try the different Fairtrade makes of both tea and coffee. We also on that morning provide Fairtrade biscuits – these are bought in bulk and any left over are used for the events following the date. Our waiters and waitress did excellent service this year and were provided by the BeAt.
This year again we had a marvellous Fairtrade cake stall – all cakes made with some Fairtrade ingredients. (Some ingredients, e.g.: flour; eggs; margarine; butter; etc. are not Fairtrade but because there is no alternative they are of course very much part of the finished cake or biscuit on the stall). St Mary’s in Thatcham helped us very much again this year – with cakes and a coffee machine.
Thatcham Art Experience also helped provide activities. We have a wonderful picture on the Fairtrade notice board painted with Fairtrade spices.
Thatcham is also a Fairtrade Town and our Big Brew is supported by the Town Council – for whom we are grateful. This year the Deputy Mayor and his wife came and were really pleased to see the support shown not only by our church but the community as well. Trish Davies from the Co-op also came and talked to people. She is a customer representative on a Co-op committee and took back the information that our local shop does not stock as much Fairtrade produce as it did. We are sure that things will improve. The Big Brew was again very well attended.
Maree also led a service about Fairtrade and the reading was of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18: 1-8).
Karen was Worship Leader – and have you still got your sweet paper in your pocket or purse to remind you about Fairtrade when you shop?
And the results: £146.86 profit was made and shared equally between The Fairtrade Foundation and Traidcraft. Photographs from the event can be seen on the following link:
http://www.norriesite.com/ft13brew
Thank you Pastoral Group 11 for organising the Big Brew.
It means that producers in other countries can receive a fair price for their produce. It means they have the money to purchase fertilizers and other items to help improve the quality of their crop. In their community it can also mean that medical facilities and education can be paid for and provided.
We always serve Fairtrade tea, coffee and have Fairtrade sugar for our drinks after our Worship on Sundays and at all our meetings and events. We haven’t yet gone down the route of Fairtrade biscuits on a regular basis. We do recognise that Fairtrade produce may be a little more expensive – but it can make such a difference it really is a part of the mission of this church.
For the last few years, during Fairtrade Fortnight we have organised a Big Brew – a Fairtrade tea and coffee morning to encourage people to try the different Fairtrade makes of both tea and coffee. We also on that morning provide Fairtrade biscuits – these are bought in bulk and any left over are used for the events following the date. Our waiters and waitress did excellent service this year and were provided by the BeAt.
This year again we had a marvellous Fairtrade cake stall – all cakes made with some Fairtrade ingredients. (Some ingredients, e.g.: flour; eggs; margarine; butter; etc. are not Fairtrade but because there is no alternative they are of course very much part of the finished cake or biscuit on the stall). St Mary’s in Thatcham helped us very much again this year – with cakes and a coffee machine.
Thatcham Art Experience also helped provide activities. We have a wonderful picture on the Fairtrade notice board painted with Fairtrade spices.
Thatcham is also a Fairtrade Town and our Big Brew is supported by the Town Council – for whom we are grateful. This year the Deputy Mayor and his wife came and were really pleased to see the support shown not only by our church but the community as well. Trish Davies from the Co-op also came and talked to people. She is a customer representative on a Co-op committee and took back the information that our local shop does not stock as much Fairtrade produce as it did. We are sure that things will improve. The Big Brew was again very well attended.
Maree also led a service about Fairtrade and the reading was of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18: 1-8).
Karen was Worship Leader – and have you still got your sweet paper in your pocket or purse to remind you about Fairtrade when you shop?
And the results: £146.86 profit was made and shared equally between The Fairtrade Foundation and Traidcraft. Photographs from the event can be seen on the following link:
http://www.norriesite.com/ft13brew
Thank you Pastoral Group 11 for organising the Big Brew.