I am writing this on the day the world marked the anniversary of Martin Luther King\u2019s \u201cI have\u00a0 a dream\u201d speech, 50 years ago, and have been reminded of the importance of inspirational leadership and action.<\/p>\n
The movement for Civil rights took a great leap forward when one woman, Rosa Parks, decided not to give up her seat on a bus.\u00a0 She was arrested and fined, but the resulting backlash was a bus boycott that resulted in changes in the law.\u00a0 Simple actions for justice can have remarkable effects. The presence of president Barrack Obama on the platform was a sign of progress, but in the same week, a large firm, Merrill Lynch, settled a race discrimination suit for $160 million. There is clearly a long way to go.\u00a0 In our own country too, there is still a lot of room for improvement.<\/p>\n
We may not be called to make great speeches on a platform like Martin Luther King, but there will be opportunities to make a difference by simple actions like those of Rosa Parks.\u00a0 It is important that we have our eyes open to what is happening around us and be prepared to act to show the reality of God\u2019s love.<\/p>\n
I was encouraged by Archbishop Justin Welby\u2019s comments about pay day loans but even more pleased to see that he proposed alternatives through Credit Unions.\u00a0 The one in Wakefield is called \u2018White Rose\u2019 and information can be found in the church.\u00a0 We are also looking at how we can\u00a0\u00a0 support the work of \u2018Christians against Poverty\u2019 (CAP)\u00a0 that is working in our area to help people in debt.\u00a0 See below for further information about how CAP works and how it can help.\u00a0 If you are struggling with bills or know someone who is, do contact me and we will pass on contact details in confidence.<\/p>\n
Of course in caring for our community, we have the wonderful resource of prayer. I have been inspired by a number of stories of\u00a0 answered prayer that show God is reaching out to us with love.\u00a0 As we encounter the realities of life around us let us not hesitate to pray for one\u00a0 another in our concerns.<\/p>\n
Rev Bill Henderson<\/p>\n
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Free debt advice from CAP<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Did you know that local people struggling with overwhelming debt can get free help?\u00a0 The acclaimed debt counselling charity,\u00a0\u00a0 Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has partnered with St Helen\u2019s Church, Sandal, and is already changing people\u2019s lives through its in-depth service.<\/em><\/p>\n Wakefield centre manager Sarah Cutts said: \u201cThe Church has always been about offering hope and we’re really pleased to be able to give a tried-and-tested route out of debt alongside other great free debt advice in the area like the Citizens Advice Bureau.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere is a lot in the Bible about looking after the poorest.\u00a0 In our society, a lot of poverty is debt-related so our congregation has been working hard to open a CAP centre to help get people back on track.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n CAP offers a uniquely in-depth, caring service to people with spiralling personal debt.\u00a0 Every client is visited in their own home, the charity does all the negotiating with creditors and local volunteers offer support to each person face-to-face until the day they are debt free.<\/em><\/p>\n Sarah added: \u201cDebts can happen when a relationship breaks down, or someone loses their job, or through bereavement \u2013 so often when people are least able to cope with a financial headache.\u00a0 We\u2019re just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our church with the\u00a0\u00a0 financial expertise of CAP\u2019s head office in Bradford.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The charity has 233 centres around the UK currently supporting \u00a373m of secondary debts for its clients regardless of income, age,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 gender, background or faith.\u00a0 The free debt counselling has won a string of accolades including being described as \u201cunsurpassed\u201d by TV\u2019s Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.<\/em><\/p>\n