Alison Webster, the Diocesan Social Responsibility Adviser, is organising an event on Wednesday November 26th, 2014, 9.30 til 3.30, at Stadhampton Village Hall, entitled “Food Banks and Faith.” She writes:

Many churches, and many church members, are involved in running Food Banks all around the Diocese of Oxford; the extent of church involvement was reflected in the report published this year 999 Food: Emergency Food Aid in the Thames Valley, A Snapshot. Recent events such as the conference ‘Beyond Food Banks’, held in September 2013, have highlighted churches’ concern for issues of food poverty. But how is experience of working with food banks affecting the faith and understanding of both individual church member and of our whole Church? Food bank involvement puts us at the sharp end of people’s needs and vulnerabilities. What impact has this had on us? Where has it left us at sea? What have we learned through our involvement – about ourselves, others and God? What challenges have we faced? What joys have we discovered? What keep us going? How does experience shape our understandings of discipleship and theology? Food Banks and Faith is a day designed to provide a forum that will enable such questions to be addressed.

For more details click here: Diocesan Leaflet 

PS: Sarah Northall has been invited to speak about the work of our Community Cupboard initiative here in the parish in partnership with the Methodists and the Advice Centre.