Mission & Outreach Supported by The Mint (Updated January 2019)
Charity of the Year
Over the last year we have been supporting the work of ‘Adopt a Granny’ at Lavington Church, Nairobi. The amount raised was £1697.20 Thank you all for supporting the charity so enthusiastically.
For the coming year (2019), the chosen charity is Rural Mission. This is a joint initiative of the Methodist & URC Churches and supports Rural Chaplaincy workers. Many rural communities and farmers feel isolated and small country churches are closing or struggling to survive and yet the funding for this work has been cut and is in desperate need of support. As part of their work, chaplains attend livestock markets where they can offer a listening ear and support. The work of the rural chaplaincy is particularly pertinent to our Circuit and District.
Methodist Projects
- World Church
The World mission Fund enables the Methodist Church to encourage build and maintain long-term mission partnerships with countries across the world. It also provides support to overseas partners to spread the good news, through engaging in mission, evangelism, multi faith relationships, church growth, education and advocacy.
There was an envelope collection at our Covenant service in January and we also have a number of members who have World Mission Boxes. More details of the work of the Methodist World Church can be found on:-http://methodist.org.uk/mission/world-church
- All We Can (Methodist Relief & Development)
Our harvest giving last September supported the work of ‘All We Can’. For details of the work of ‘All We Can’, see:- http://www.allwecan.org.uk/
- Mission in Britain
- The Mission in Britain Fund is an essential part of the One Mission purpose of the Methodist Church, with the aim of reaching those in need and supporting our calling to share the gospel in Britain. It makes grants to help change lives and transform local communities
MIB website:- http://methodist.org.uk/mission/mission-in-britain
- Methodist Homes
MHA is a charity providing care, accommodation and support services for more than 18,000 older people throughout Britain. MHA is heavily involved in influencing policy making concerning old age care through Live at Home Schemes, Dementia care and Music Therapy. Locally the site at Moreton Exmouth (ex MHA home) was sold but they have now promised to carry a feasibility study through Littelemead Church for a Live at Home Scheme with possible satellites. Website:- http://www.mha.org.uk/
- Action For Children
The total raised over the Christmas Appeal amounted to £1008.16 -an excellent figure. This was comprised of monies raised from the Christmas card board, carol singing (Homecourt & Mint Forecourt) and the Christmas Day service collection. Many members also have Action for Children Boxes which raise a similar amount. More details of the work of Action For Children can be found on https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/
International Projects
- Christian Aid
The amount collected at the Mint during Christian Aid week last year was almost £1000 which once again included a bring and buy stall in reception during the week. All the regular groups meeting in the Mint were invited to contribute books (this raised £180). Christian Aid Week this year will be 12-18 May.
CA Webiste can be found at:- http://www.christianaid.org.uk/
- Traidcraft
We have had a successful year, with approximately £2000 worth of sales being made through the monthly Sunday morning stall, Easter egg orders and Christmas card and present orders.There has been considerable uncertainty this year about the future of Traidcraft as a business. Initially plans were announced to cease trading entirely by Dec 31st 2018. There now appear to be plans to continue in a modified way with a reduced range of products. We will continue at present with the monthly stall on the third Sunday. The website for Traidcraft is:- http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/
Exeter Initiatives
- Foodbank
Foodbank continues to use our premises on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday each week. Details of their service can be found on https://exeter.foodbank.org.uk/
- St Petrock’s
St Petrock’s provides advice and support services for the homeless throughout the year. The donations for St Petrock’s are much appreciated and they frequently send their thanks. The number of individuals in need of their emergency, advice and referral services in the centre has increased over the last year and they now see up to 80 people a day. In addition to extending their opening hours to provide a popular ‘early bird’ service for rough sleepers, they have introduced a new range of drop-in mental health and specialist welfare advice sessions on-site, to enable the clients to access vital support, unavailable to them elsewhere. Their housing and homelessness services worked with a total of 463 people and supported 243 into accommodation during 2107 and 2018 Detail of their services can be found on https://stpetrocks.org.uk
- Gabriel House
The towels and toothpaste etc which are donated to Gabriel are used particularly in the basement during the cold months. This is set out to receive people whom the Outreach workers bring in from the streets. They can have a shower and get themselves cleaned up and so be able to have a better rest. Unfortunately, they cannot stay there during the day as it is used by the residents then. This is when many then go to St Petrocks for breakfast. When groups at the Mint have food provided by outside caterers the surplus is sent to Gabriel House.
- Bethany House
Staff very much appreciate the toiletries regularly supplied from the Mint. These are used as ‘welcome’ packs for new women coming into the supported housing and also as prizes for reward and encouragement towards independent living. Viv Asher has retired but is going to volunteer with them so will still continue to be our link. More details can be found on:- https://www.westwardhousing.org.uk/bethany-house/
Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI)
The Mint and other central churches support financially the work of ECI, set up to provide for unmet needs in the local community.
- Housing and mentoring – working with St Petrock’s and other charities to respond to homelessness and build on the work of Transitions.
- Families – supporting vulnerable families through Devon Family Resource.
- Urban Skills Centre – Jelly and the Bike Bank are innovative skills projects
- People & Communities – building on Ripple Effect and The Listening Project to support social action
Further details Of ECI can be found on their website:- http://www.eci.org.uk/
- Christians Together Across Exeter (CTAX)
CTAX organizes the Cathedral service and ‘Walk of Witness’ on Good Friday which is well supported. More details of the work of CTAX can be found on http://www.ctax.btck.co.uk/
City Centre Chaplaincy
There are now a dozen chaplains visiting the shops in Exeter’s city centre. Interaction deepens and supportive listening is now accepted by a growing number of retail assistants, especially in stressful situations. See their website for more details of ECCC http://www.exeterccc.btck.co.uk/
- Interfaith & Belief Group
This small group of between 15 & 25 meet once a month. They have a number of faithful Christians from various denominations but only 4 or 5 representatives of other Faiths and Beliefs. They would really like more non-Christians to join them. They belong to the Devon Interfaith and Belief Group and also the National one. They have some very interesting talks and discussions.
See website for details of events. http://devonfaiths.org.uk/groups/exeter-interfaith-belief-group/
Hospital Service
A team attend the Sunday Service at the RD&E Hospital once every 2 months. The service is broadcast on Hospital Radio. Numbers attending the service vary a great deal but it is valued greatly by those who are able to attend while in hospital.
Mint Church Centre
The Reception area has become a popular place for many of our regular groups to use, generally after their sessions, for coffee, tea and biscuits. It is also a focal point for a variety of visitors to our Church and Church centre. This gives me many opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations. People often share their thoughts, ideas, values and concerns. Coffee mornings continue to be popular and draw in individuals who do not choose to visit the centre on any other days. In December, we saw the arrival of the Twelve Days of Christmas and this was very popular with current group users as well as visitors to our Church. Forum have asked us for a printed copy of the true meanings of each verse of the song. It has also led us into some interesting conversations about belief and faith and why it was so necessary for the Catholics to continue to sing about their religion, even if in a disguised way in a song. we are beginning an arts and crafts group which will meet in the Reception Area.
Mini Mints and Church Mice
Mini Mints is a Mum, Dad’s and toddlers group which meet on a Friday morning (term time). Church Mice starts at 11.30 on a Friday for half an hour in the church and is a fun worship and activity session for the very young with Matthew the Mouse!
Both of these activities are well attended.
For other groups/activities at the centre please click on engage and then life @ the mint from the menu