Churches Together is an ecumenical organisation, and the national instrument for the Christian Churches in England. It helps its member churches work better together. Churches Together in the Blyth Valley, comprise Halesworth and Bramfield United Reformed Churches, the Anglican churches of St. Mary’s, Halesworth & the Blyth Valley team, Wenhaston Methodist Church and St. Edmund King & Martyr, Catholic Church.
In the Blyth Valley, Churches Together offers pastoral support to the community as follows:
- Managing the ‘Foodbank’
This is run by Waveney Foodbank, a charity and subsidiary organisation of the Trussell Trust (a national foodbank charity) and is supported by donations of food from individuals. There are a number of drop-off points for donations in the Halesworth area, including the Coop. The distribution point is St. Mary’s Church, Steeple End, Halesworth and registered and trained staff are there every Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 11.30am to assist handing out pre-packed boxes. The Foodbank provides temporary emergency support to the most vulnerable people. To access this facility a person needs a referral voucher and can find out more information by contacting the Halesworth Volunteer Centre on 01986 875600. Click here to view the ‘Foodbank’ website!
- Supporting the ‘Community Larder’
The Community Larder is a way of sharing food and the basics that we rely on. It is an ‘open access shop’ and anyone can use it. It operates in various ways – by donations of food or money (which is used to purchase items where there is a shortfall); purchasing goods; exchanging goods or just being able to take goods where payment proves difficult.
In addition to generous donations, the ‘larder’ has received surplus fruit and vegetables from gardeners, eggs, jams, chutneys, freshly-made cakes, bakery items and dry goods.
It operates from St Mary’s Church Hall, Steeple End, Halesworth and is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am. It is a long-term project being developed by a partnership between the Blyth Valley Team Ministry and the Halesworth Volunteer Centre.
- Help with the annual ‘Beach Mission’ and various holiday clubs
- Ecumenical Prayer groups
- Running the ‘Sign of the Fish’ bookshop (Tel: 07770 465785)
- An outreach programme for primary school children called, ‘Open the Book’