I think I can safely say that none of us has had such an easy life that we never went through any hardships. We’ve all faced difficulties of one kind or another. This helps us later on when we can empathise with other people who are going through a hard time.

When I was a child both of my parents worked and so we always had food on the table, but we were not well off. I passed the 11 plus to allow me to go to grammar school, but the compulsory uniform was very expensive. There was a lot to buy, with a different sports kit for every occasion as well as skirts and shirts, jumpers and summer frocks, shoes and hats for summer and winter, plus a mac and a blazer. My family managed to get most of it, some was second hand, but they couldn’t afford to buy the blazer as well. I’ll never forget how embarrassed I was as a 12 year old on a school trip where everyone else was wearing smart blazers, while I was in a tatty mac.

Later, when I was married and my children were small my husband worked very hard to support us, doing as much overtime as he could, but it was not easy to make ends meet. I had one of those metal money boxes with lots of slots to save for different bills: rent, electricity, gas, insurance, food etc and each week I would divide his pay packet up so that we would hopefully be able to pay the bills when they came in. There was nothing left over for extras. We couldn’t afford a car or a phone. I remember feeling bad when Chas came home on a hot day and wanted an ice cream from Mr Whippy but we couldn’t afford it. The dread of bills arriving in the post is imprinted upon my soul too, as was the feeling that I was struggling alone, that somehow everyone else was doing OK while I was failing, and that nobody cared.

Poverty is relative, as is our ability to live with it. I was able to do the maths, while some struggle to do so. People still need to buy uniforms for their children, and sports kit and shoes, but the children also need phones and computers now so that they can keep up in school. Some parents are on zero hour contracts so they never know whether they will have enough in the bank to cover their direct debits. Foodbanks are more and more in demand as costs increase and pay doesn’t keep up.

Many of you are generous and bring in items for the local Foodbank.

Sometimes there’s a single item which will make a big difference to somebody’s life, and we can help with that too. When a fridge or freezer or washing machine breaks down, or someone’s shoes are worn out, and there’s no money to repair or replace them, for instance; or when children are sleeping on the bare floor as there’s no money for carpets or beds, when someone homeless needs a rent deposit, a child needs a uniform, or a family a phone. This is where Acts435 comes in. It’s our Harvest Appeal for this year.

Named after the Bible verse which says how the disciples distributed the donations to each as they had need, Acts 435 advocates around the country post on line current needs and ask for those who can to donate toward them. Once the full amount has been donated, the basic item is purchased for the people who need it.

St Peter’s has recently signed up as a partner, so we will be able to add requests from people in Sheringham to the Acts435 website. Our ministry team will be looking out for people who need help, and we will be able to follow up referrals from the Foodbank. No item comes to more than £200, and every donation however small will help - not only to buy an item which will make a big difference to someone’s life, but to let them know that others do care, that Christian love is living and active. Like a jigsaw puzzle, you will be putting your piece in to help make someone whole. If you read some of the comments made by people who have received help, you will see how much of a difference it makes to their wellbeing.

Please checkout the website and make a donation on line to a cause of your choice if you can: https://www.acts435.org.uk

We’re not asking you to give any money directly to us this year. We won’t be able to pass donations on. I know that some of you don’t do anything online, but if you would like to donate, we encourage you to ask someone to make a donation toward one of the causes online on your behalf, between now and our Harvest Festival on 6th October. Alternatively you can post a cheque made out to Acts 435 and send it to them at The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb, York YO24 3BZ. Let them know if you would like it to be applied to a specific type of request, otherwise they will allocate it to the most urgent requests.

Please pass the word on to somebody, and ask them to pass it on so that people get to know about Acts435. And please pray for the people who are in need.

Let’s make it a harvest of love this year. Thank you for your contribution.

Amen.

Julie Rubidge, Lay Minister