United Reformed Church Northern Synod

Sewing for Mozambique

Synod Moderator Rowena Francis launches an appeal to support our global partner -
the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique

While guests from the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique were with us in July, Northern Synod launched a new Mozambique fund-raising project. Our target is £3300 (give or take according to the exchange rate). It would be good to raise this by Christmas 2010.

The North of Mozambique, like the North in the UK is isolated and even poorer than other areas of the country. Funding pastors and their training is hard, and developing mission projects and opportunities is challenging. But through a group of key women the Church is aiming to support women in the northern churches and help them develop in a variety of ways.

Our project is to provide two sewing machines and a sweatshirt sewing machine, together with a number of starter kits. This will enable a small tailoring shop to be refurbished, providing self-development for a group of women. The profit from the shop will be used to help street children, and also support church leaders as they visit the most isolated parishes and encourage them in spreading the word of God.

When we raised funds to buy the minibus we were challenged to make Munchies for Mozambique.  Now is the time to put your thinking caps on and put together some sewing fund-raising ideas. Here are some starters….

• A wall hanging/tablecloth of the embroidered signatures of the members of a particular group that each person donates to have their signature on.
• Stitching crosses for people’s purses or pockets
• Creating greeting cards using coloured fabrics
• Sewing finger puppets, teapot warmers, oven gloves and aprons for sale
• Offering an alteration or repair service for those who never get around to putting that missing button back on
• Any other fund-raising activities that you are able to do – coffee mornings, ‘sponsored whatever’s’, individual or church donations would all be welcome.

A group of seven 18-30 year olds with Moderator, Rowena and Mission and Development Enabler, Jo visited Mozambique in late August.  They saw the basic room with no live electrics that will be the tailoring shop and the one treadle machine already in use by the Pastors’ wives whose dream this development project is and who presented us with two beautiful embroidered aprons to show the quality of the goods they are training folk to produce.  If you would like a member of the group to come and speak to you as preparation or as part of a fund-raiser then please contact the Synod Office.

Donations to the fund are to be sent to Helen Hogg in the synod office, clearly indicating that they are for the ‘Sewing for Mozambique’ fund. (Cheques payable to URC (Northern Province) Trust

Thanks in anticipation

Rowena Francis
Synod Moderator

 

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