Churches show their generosity for homeless charity in Wales

Churches across north east and mid Wales have shown their support for a homeless charity working to stop rough sleeping and improve affordable housing.

A cheque for more than £7,500 representing only some of the donations, was awarded to Housing Justice Cymru (HJC) at the annual conference of the Diocese of St Asaph on Saturday (12 October).

Over the last year, Housing Justice Cymru has been the recipient of the Diocesan Offering a donation made by all 216 churches across the diocese.  Churches ran a variety of activities to raise funds. St Cynfarch in Hope, near Wrexham donated the collection from their Christingle service last Christmas.  Churches in Cedewain Mission Area, around Newtown, organised a barbeque and garden party in the summer and raised almost £850.

Some churches sent their offering directly to HJC to support the Night Shelter Project in Wrexham last winter.

The director of HJC, Sharon Lee, accepted the cheque from the Dean of St Asaph Cathedral, the Very Reverend Nigel Williams, during the conference.  Sharon said: “We were honoured to be selected as the recipient of the offering and your generosity made such a difference to the establishment of the night shelter in Wrexham last year.

“So many people gave money, their time and donated items to support the running of the shelter.  It helps people who a homeless to re-build their lives and gain resilience for the future.  Thanks to your generosity we will once again be opening the Church and Community Night Shelter in Wrexham this winter.  Work is well underway to train volunteers, prepare rotas, organise food and transport to ensure the shelter’s smooth running once it opens in January.”

Housing Justice Cymru is also supporting churches in Llandudno and Colwyn Bay to help people who are sleeping rough by exploring the development of a church led Night Shelter in that part of the diocese.

Housing Justice Cymru is a non-denominational Christian housing charity providing support and advice to churches who want to get involved in housing and homelessness. It acts as a conduit that connects and networks churches with other organisations in Wales.

Every year churches in the Diocese of St Asaph select a local charity to support, in addition to other fundraising. Next year, the diocese is supporting Haven of Light, a community interest company based in Colwyn Bay, working to tackle modern slavery. Previous recipients include the Alzheimer’s Society, Tŷ Croeso at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Blind Veterans UK, Wales Air Ambulance and Farming Community Network

The 2019 Conference for the Diocese of St Asaph took place on Saturday 12 October at St Joseph’s Anglican and Catholic School in Wrexham. The conference acts as the AGM of the diocese offering financial reports, details of the diocesan offering and updates on ministry. This year’s keynote speaker was Simon Ponsonby, the pastor of theology at St Aldates Church in Oxford. Further information is available on the diocesan website.