Church’s simple life is justly rewarded
PARISHIONERS from a local church community in Ormskirk have been rewarded for their efforts to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people in poverty as they receive the “livesimply” award from the international development charity Cafod.
Members of the community from St Anne’s, Ormskirk, have been busy planning and completing initiatives to change their everyday actions to become more environmentally friendly and in solidarity with people in poverty.
Last July, the church held a weekend of events which saw the parish sharing a lunch with a group of local asylum seekers; its children’s group creating environment-themed artwork; and other members of the community making individual pledges to go green.
As well as this, the church hold annual collections for Asylum Link Merseyside, a charity supporting asylum seekers, and have hosted a Fairtrade breakfast, a ‘swap shop’ and even organised a botanical survey of the church gardens.
Fr Godric Timney, parish priest at St Anne’s, said: “I am delighted that St Anne’s has been awarded the livesimply award by Cafod.
“For many years our parish has contributed thousands of pounds to the work of Cafod and over the past year a group of committed parishioners has been encouraging us live simply by avoiding waste and using our resources thoughtfully.
“Receiving an award is but a stimulus to taking Pope Francis’ constant encouragement to care deeply for our environment.”
Paul Kelly, a livesimply assessor for Cafod, said: “Congratulations to St Anne’s parish in Ormskirk at becoming the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s first livesimply parish.
“Starting with a livesimply weekend last July the parish has involved many of its 600 Mass-goers in a wide range of initiatives.
“Working towards participation in the Home Office Community Sponsorship Scheme for Syrian refugees will be a major commitment to living in solidarity for the next five years.
“Well done Ormskirk!”
Cafod supports people living in poverty across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
No one wants to live on handouts, so Cafod focuses on helping equip people living in poverty with the skills and opportunities they need to live EDGE Hill University has been lighting up its historic main building in rainbow colours this week.
The building, which dates back to 1933, is boldly illuminated with rainbow colours for the first time from February 5-9 as Edge Hill Students’ Union (EHSU) celebrate Pride Week 2018.
Pride Week 2018 sees a host of LGBT+ events and activities happening across the campus, including a Pride march, film night, a series of workshops, and a Pride social.
EHSU’s LGBT+ officer, Yasmin Lee, said: “Our theme this year is ‘Proud to be with EHSU.’
“This is to recognise and celebrate the diversity within our university and how our campaigns are a stepping stone towards making our university inclusive.
“Lighting up Edge Hill University’s main building, a building that is Edge Hill’s most recognisable and historical feature, demonstrates our compassion towards the hardship that our LGBT+ community have with dignity, and in a crisis supports local organisations to provide food, water and shelter to people who have lost everything.
To find out more about Cafod’s livesimply award, visit: cafod.org.uk/ livesimply experienced.
“This is to demonstrate unity and ultimately pride to be yourself.”
Pride Week 2018 will conclude tomorrow, Friday, February 9 at 7pm with a new SU Drag Race which will be hosted by well-known Manchester drag artist Miss Blair, and will be open to both students and nonstudents.
The lights have been visible from approximately 6pm on every evening.
Very soon tickets will be released for EHSU’s first LGBT+ Clubnight ‘MILK,’ which will invite all members of the LGBT+ community and friends to Venue on campus on Thursday, March 15.