MISSION PARTNERS

Our churches actively support mission partners through prayer, funding, and collaboration, extending our reach to share God’s love locally and globally

Serving the Church, Reaching the World

The church family of St Mary's and St Peter's have a responsibility to the local community and also to the wider Christian Church.  The Great Commission of Jesus, spoken to his followers before His Ascension, was to go into all the world and make disciples and this we seek to do by supporting mission outreach in three areas - locally, nationally and abroad.

Locally

Yeldall Manor is a Christian rehabilitation centre working with residents recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. A number of church members are involved, support their meetings and receive regular prayer updates. Visit their Events page for information on ways to support their work.

Their Open Day is a great way to find out what they are about. It happens on a Saturday in July every year, and entry is free. There is always a large number of stalls and tents (including one for cream teas and strawberries). Several of them are run by members of our church. People from many local churches support the day and many aspects of their work. 

Another way to get involved is to turn up at their Open Prayer Meetings, which take place at 8 pm on the first Monday of every month. Residents are invited to share their prayer needs with supporters and local church folk.

Linda and Shaun Caradine would be pleased to provide you with more information about any aspect of Yeldall Manor.

Henley-based Debt Centre “Christians Against Poverty” (CAP) is a charity that extends support for anyone locally in financial distress. There is no requirement to be a Christian to take up any of their services, which are free to all users. The only restriction is that you live within Wargrave , Henley or outlying areas with a postcode of RG10 or RG9.  If you would like to apply for any service, please initially email Debbie Bruwer, CAP Henley Centre Manager, or free phone 0800 328 0006 to get more information and help. 

“The Debt Centre has been absolutely amazing, calm and supportive. They take away the stress and make things more factual”. 

Henley on Thames Churches Debt Centre is a registered charity and has obtained HMRC approval to offer Gift Aid on any donations. (Charity No: 1199558). Please contact local Trustee Terry Grourk 07768 610 213 if you would like to offer any support / financial assistance. Click here to understand how the Parish works with CAP.

Internationally

For over 30 years, much of our international support has been channelled through Tearfund, a relief Agency that works through local Christian churches and partners throughout the world.  Money donated goes directly to where it is needed for specific projects, or to their Disaster Relief Fund. We have raised money for them at many events, including Brass on the Grass and the Big Quiz. We have also sold their Christmas cards for many years.  For further information, contact Mike Buckland.

St Mary's has been a Fairtrade Church since 1994. This means we:  

  • use Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar

  • use fairly traded products whenever possible e.g. wine, chocolate

  • sell goods from Meaningful Chocolate Company and, in the past, Traidcraft

  • promote Fairtrade Fortnight

‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you' (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31)

Fairtrade guarantees a fair wage, decent working conditions and terms of trade for suppliers and their workers, the means for them to educate their children, and local sustainability, for example through eco-friendly farming.

You can buy Fairtrade groceries at all supermarkets, the True Food Co-Op in Emmer Green (a zero waste shop -  great for avoiding plastic) and the Reading International Solidarity Centre in Reading. 

Here's a simple guideline: buy local, think of the planet and buy ethically traded goods. Two out of three is usually possible whenever you shop. Our Fairtrade representative is Mike Buckland.

Our charity support policy

Church Mission Funds are allocated regularly by the PCC. Please direct all enquiries about our charity support policy and away giving to Sue Witney.  To make sure we keep updated and to promote interest, speakers are invited to speak at St Mary's or at informal meetings in Wargrave from time to time. Enquiries specific to one of the charities should be directed to the contacts mentioned above.