Dear Maggie ,

In the last few days before the General Election we know that many of you will be considering how your faith relates to politics. Faithworks interviewed the three main party leaders on how faith groups can take an active role in politics and a video of the candidates’ comments is available on their website. This month we highlight a new government grant for innovation in social action as well as a training event on the new Equalities Bill. We also share a sermon about the politics of Easter and newly published Just Politics book.

God Bless,
Jill Clark
Community Mission

Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) funds projects that are within 10 miles of a Waste Recycling Group landfill . It has two funding streams: small grants between £2,000 and £15,000 and main grants between £15,000 and £50,000, including a fund for the maintenance of repair of churches . Their focus is to maintain or improve public parks or buildings, increase biodiversity conservation, and maintain or repair historic or religious buildings. Examples of successful funding bids include replacing the heating system in a church, building a skate park, and renovating a youth centre. The next application deadline is 30 June. Read more about each fund, download application forms or phone 01953 717 165 for more information.

The Steel Charitable Trust supports charities that work within the following areas: health, disadvantage, environment, arts and culture and education. They fund charities across England though 30% are granted to Luton and Bedfordshire-based projects. Grants are generally between £1,000 and £25,000. There are no application deadlines but the trustees will meet next in August to consider applications. Read the grant guidelines, 2009 accounts, apply online or email them for more information.

The Secretary for Communities and Local Government has launched an Innovation in Faith-Based Social Action Prize. It will award between £1,000 and £15,000 to faith projects across the country that have found new ways to reach local people and communities and bring people together. Their focus is on projects that have not received the recognition they deserve. The award opens for applications in the summer but they are now looking for expressions of interest. Projects can nominate themselves by sending an email to them.

J Paul Getty Charitable Trust is planning to wind down their grants over the next five to ten years. This means that they are increasing the grants offered to projects that alleviate poverty and overcome disadvantage through working with offenders, refugees, young people, the homeless, those affected by substance misuse and minority groups. Projects that make effective use of volunteers will be prioritised. Small grants of up to £5,000 are available as well as main grants of between £10,000 and £250,000. Read the grant conditions, FAQs, application guidelines or apply online.

The Archer Trust is a Christian trust providing grants of between £250 and £3,000 to charities and community projects that help disadvantaged people in areas of high unemployment and deprivation. They prioritise charities that make good use of volunteers. There is no application deadline or form to complete. A letter outlining the project’s main objectives along with the most recent accounts should be sent to The Secretary, The Archer Trust, Bourne House, Wadesmill, Ware, Herts, SG12 0TT.

Breathe, a new Christian network for simpler living with the strapline ‘less stuff, more life’ is launching Conspiracy of Freedom with seven regional events: 15 May in London, 27 May in Lancaster, 5 June in Leeds, 7 June in Brighton, 10 June in Oxford, 24 June in Shrewsbury and 12 July in Liverpool. Most of the events are free and do not require booking. With support from Tearfund, Stewardship, and A Rocha their objective is to discuss creative ideas about sustainable and generous living. Their blog includes many articles on this topic including a four-part Consumer Detox.

Anthony Collins Solicitors in Birmingham is hosting an event to address the fear over employing Christian staff and maintaining Christian identity in light of the new Equality Bill. Held on 27 May from 2-4:30pm, Equality: The New Religion? will discuss the impact of the Equality Bill on employment policy and Christian projects’ relationships with funders. It is free to attend. To book, complete the online form.

Housing Justice is holding its Annual Conference on 15 June at Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham. It will bring together Christians from across the country who are involved in action and advocacy on behalf of people who are homeless. Talks and workshops on current topics related to homelessness will be given by experienced practitioners. People who are not yet involved with Housing Justice are particularly invited. It is £25 per person including lunch. To book, phone 020 7920 6600 or email Housing Justice.

Livability is hosting a special one-day reflection day for busy Christians involved in community ministry in the north of England. Held on 6 July, Far from the Madding Crowd will be facilitated by Ruth Smith, Community Mission Advisor at Livability. The day will include guided thought, time to reflect and pray as well as an opportunity to be outside in beautiful surroundings. It is £20 per person including lunch and numbers are limited to provide a quiet environment. To book, phone 0113 350 8070 or email Ruth Smith.

‘Journeying with…’ is The National Christian Alliances on Prostitution’s (NCAP) conference on 15-17 October at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire. It is aimed at Christians who are engaged with the issue of sexual exploitation and those who would like to discover more. The focus will be on the different ways that we journey in our lives. Booking fees are between £135 and £199 depending on the type of room. Complete the booking form or phone 0845 004 4231 for more information.

Spurgeons Network supports Christians working with children, young people and families in their local communities. Their particular focus is on children and young people affected by deprivation and family breakdown. It costs £25 for an individual and £100 for an organisation to join and the benefits include decreased rates on their training events, consultancy services, regular eNewsletter and access to resources. Their new parenting toolkit includes information on how churches can support parents. They also are hosting events in May on children dealing with grief and loss as well as mentoring.

With the General Election two days away, many people are thinking about how their faith relates to politics. Stephen Kuhrt, Vicar at Christ Church, New Malden, London, preached a sermon called The Politics of Easter that reflects on how the resurrection of Jesus has an important political dimension and how it should lead us to work for justice. In addition, a new book called Just Politics makes suggestions on how churches as well as individual Christians can get involved in politics. It has been edited by the Evangelical Alliance and includes an interview with Jon Kuhrt from Livability.

Many churches have made significant changes to the way they worship together and operate as a community in order to fully include people with physical and learning disabilities. Others are looking for ways to improve their relationships with disabled people. Churches for All is a partnership of UK disability charities and it will be jointly hosting an exhibition at the Christian Resources Exhibition on 11-14 May in Esher. Members include, amongst many others, Torch Trust (support for people with sight loss), Prospects (support for people with learning disabilities), Through the Roof (support for those with many types of disabilities) and Livability (care and advocacy for those with physical and learning disabilities).

For many churches wishing to respond to late night crime and fears over binge drinking in their local areas, the Street Pastors scheme has proved hugely successful. Hayley Teague, a Community Mission Advisor at Livability, shares her story of being a Street Pastor in a tough area in south London on the Community Mission website. In it she highlights the importance of prayer and consistency and shares some stories of hope. Street Pastors is now being run in most cities across the UK, one good example being in Sutton, south London.

For churches and community projects preparing reports, website pages and presentations, worldle.net provides a free customised ‘word cloud’. It takes text that is provided by you and gives prominence to words that occur most often. It also allows you to use different fonts, layouts and colours to create fun pictures. It has been used by many churches and projects and has proved to be a good way of creatively communicating the message rather than just including normal text.