Chester Diocese
News Item
|
The sheer urgency of our Bishop’s Harvest appeal
HIV and Aids in Africa touch almost everybody’s life. The Revd Dr Pat Nickson, curate at St Mary, Upton (Overchurch), Wirral, and an experienced Church Mission Society mission partner in Africa, said: “The situation is critical and unmanageable. Those living with HIV / Aids desperately need our help.” Dr Nickson is delighted that the new Bishop’s Harvest Appeal in our Diocese is to focus on this huge problem. She said: “There needs to be a huge international effort to help Africa deal with its HIV / Aids problem, focused on community level activities. It is in precisely this area that the Church has a unique role. “Christians are part of the community in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. We are ideally placed to give practical and pastoral help if we receive the resources. I am sure the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal will be invaluable in this regard. I just know it will bring hope to so many people and I urge everyone to support it.” Dr Nickson has worked in The Congo and other parts of Africa during her time as a mission partner. The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal aims to train laity and clergy to give preventative health education in Africa, and to tackle poverty with practical projects for income generation. Also to be provided is a scheme that trains people to care and support those living with HIV. The work will be done jointly with the Mothers’ Union and Christian Aid. Information packs have been sent out to parishes.
|
The Revd Dr Pat Nickson
|
