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Wider Concerns Committee

Partnerships at home and abroad

Details of current charity collections
can be found in the eMag

WCC kids for kids photo_edited.jpg

An important aspect of the ministry of Great St Mary’s is developing partnerships in mission with those abroad as well as at home, raising funds and awareness. Such partnerships bring a global dimension to our work.  The Wider Concerns Committee (WCC) leads this work, putting ‘loving you neighbour’ into practice, with the theme of bringing new life and hope. 

We hold collections at each of the major festivals of Christmas, Easter and Harvest as well as one at Peter-tide for theological training overseas. 
We also hold special collections at times of natural disasters or for humanitarian aid in areas of conflicts.  At the time of Christian Aid week we have fund raising coffee mornings and envelopes in the pews.  We sell Christmas cards in aid of one of our projects. 

We focus on supporting a relatively small number of on going projects particularly with a strong Cambridge connection, and where we can make a real difference.

  • The emphasis is on partnership with local communities taking the lead in what they consider is best for their community and building sustainability.

  • The range of projects includes shelter, education and training for street children in slum areas, care and support for children with disabilities, family support for orphans, medical and health-care training, basic income generating schemes to build self-sufficiency, and community building in post conflict areas. 

  • The main support is in Ethiopia, India, Darfur, and the Middle East and further afield through Christian Aid.

  • Reports on the projects pay tribute to the inspiring and pioneering work, giving new life and hope to many who are destitute.  Many speak of the tremendous spirit of love and care of the projects.

  • Our project partners express warm appreciation for our strong support which has enabled work to go ahead which otherwise would not have been possible. 

  • Our support means a great deal not only financially but because they feel we care,and are there to help in times of emergency.

  • The partnerships are very special and enable us to build close relationships.

  • The regular newsletters we receive are most inspiring and enable us to engage with their hopes and aspirations and build a real rapport. 

  • We are heartened by, and learn much from, the resilience and fortitude of those who have so little.

​Example project:  The e’PAP story:  Ntunungwe school in rural Zimbabwe
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  • The school gives many orphans shelter and education; and is the focal point for communities for miles around. 

  • Crop failure from lack of rain led to major malnutrition for many pupils.

  • We received a newsletter the day before a WCC meeting. 

  • We immediately agreed to collect to fund the nutritious ‘e’Pap’ porridge.

  • The school was overwhelmed and said it was ‘an answer to prayer’.  

  • We raised funds which fed those in need for many months.  See picture below.

In Cambridge, we play an active part in a range of local social initiatives. We are particularly supporting those working with the homeless, marginalised and vulnerable.   We hold regular collections for the Cambridge City Foodbank.  In collaboration with other city centre churches and a synagogue, and several Cambridge colleges, we arrange six suppers each winter for homeless guests at Crossways run by ITAC (Cambridge City Council, Jimmys and local agencies)   

We actively support Ukrainian refugee families here in Cambridge and hold regular tea parties as well as helping families to settle in and arranging bikes!We also support the Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign and the Cambridge City of Sanctuary initiative for refugees.

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