CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2016
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
GO GLOBAL THIS CHRISTMAS
Welcome to the 2016 Christmas Appeal.
Central to the appeal are five stories that showcase different approaches used by CWS partners
to bring hope in some of the poorest communities. By sharing these stories during Advent and
Christmas you can draw inspiration from people who are training people to grow more and
better food so their children are not hungry, providing healthcare to refugee children and helping
families start small businesses. You can find all this material and more on our website. Please
take a look to see what will suit your place. Posters, envelopes and service sheets can be
ordered direct from CWS.
Giving is a very important part of the Christmas Season. Over the last 70 years, New
Zealanders have given generously to the Christmas Appeal. Added up that makes a mountain
of hope. Thanks for keeping the hope tradition alive.
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” Romans 15:13
Your gift at Christmas will give poor and vulnerable people food,
education and dignity.
Christian World Service
PO Box 22652,
Christchurch 8140
0800 74 7372 christmasappeal.org.nz
“… CWS’s distinctive model of partnership - working at the grassroots
with vulnerable and marginalised people and trusting the community
to know what is needed and how best to make it happen. This model
of partnership is now accepted as good development practice and
one of the underlying values of the UNDP. CWS was a pioneer in
this partner-led approach.”
Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development
Programme on CWS’s 70th anniversary.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Advent Sunday marks the 71st anniversary of the launch of the first Christmas Appeal in 1945.
The money raised in the first appeal was sent to rebuild Greece after the war. For 70 years
churches and New Zealanders have given generously to bring good news to the poor (Matthew
11:5). Together we have helped millions of people to survive disasters, build new livelihoods
and uphold their human rights. We work with experienced local partners who achieve real gains
in their communities often in very difficult situations. They are helping refugees and displaced
people, families struggling to deal with the changing climate and loss of livelihood, and
communities trying to overcome violence. By supporting the Christmas Appeal, you are
supporting all of our partners in their work to take action against poverty.
We are always happy to answer any questions you might have – and to hear feedback. If there
is any other way we can help the Christmas Appeal in your parish, please let us know. Please
send in the enclosed order form for posters and other resources today.
WHERE TO FIND MORE RESOURCES
Every church has its own Christmas traditions – many include the candle lighting liturgy each
Sunday. CWS has worship materials to help you share this story in your place. There are
prayers and reflections on the Bible readings. We are grateful to the Venerable Carole
Hughes, liturgy lecturer at St John’s Theological College, who has crafted liturgy for each
Sunday and Christmas Day. These and other resources are available on the website:
christmasappeal.org.nz .
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
CWS uses your gifts carefully. We have strong and direct relationships with local partner
groups and confidence in their ability to improve the lives of people in their communities. They
help people take the next steps to improve their lives – skills training, making plans in case of
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disaster or setting up new businesses. They do not create dependency and continue to offer
support where it is needed. We are proud of how much they have achieved with the gifts you
have given to CWS over 70 years. The stories featured in this year’s Christmas Appeal explore
a small part of the work they do.
In the last year we have sent funds to 20 partners and in response to 14 emergency situations
in 20 countries. We received matching government funding for DSPR’s work in Jordan with
Palestinian and Syrian refugees and Ama Takiloa’s drought resilience work in Tonga.
We are part of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together), a coalition of more than 140
churches and affiliated organisations who work in 140 countries to create positive and
sustainable change for people. Our work encompasses development, humanitarian assistance
and advocacy. Help is provided regardless of religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race
or nationality and to the highest international codes and standards. Alliance members are
deeply rooted in local communities and respond to conflict and disaster when needed. We are
directly accountable to our partner churches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Examples from our partners’ plans for 2016/7:
In Haiti, $1,400 will subsidise a community bakery generating income to run a
community school.
In Jordan, $5,791 will pay for a two-day health education workshop for 250 refugee
women.
In South Sudan, $2,580 will run the HIV/AIDS counselling and testing service in Maridi.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the people who have made this year’s Christmas Appeal happen, notably the ACT
Alliance and Paul Jeffrey, Maridi Service Agency and SAND for images, Luxon’s Advertising
and Meta Digital. Special thanks to the church leaders who have given their endorsement and
to our partners for images and stories.
GIVING MADE SIMPLE
Score a 100% for gift giving. Buy a gift that
multiplies good. Choose water for HIV and AIDS
affected families, Fun Days for refugee children, a
home garden for a mother or something else to give
to a loved one or friend. Your gift is a donation to
the partner doing that work. CWS will send you a
quality card to pass on. Some churches and groups
find Gifted works best. Take a look at
www.gift.org.nz or call 0800 74 73 72 for a
catalogue.
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