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last updated 02.03.11

In Exodus Moses gives a stirring vision of God’s promise to free his people from slavery in Egypt but the people of Israel don’t hear it because of how they feel.

“Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.” Exodus 6: 9

For us this story foreshadows the Easter story of how Jesus would redeem a people for God from their slavery in sin, through his death on the cross. As we seek to share this story are we coming across hard hearts? Is the problem the same today on our streets as in Egypt- that people feel too hard-pressed, anxious about their jobs or preoccupied with their family income to hear the good news of Jesus?

The financial situation is hitting this county and very few people will not know someone who has been made redundant, who is working shorter hours since the New Year or who is really struggling to get a job interview. How can we in the local Church respond? Debt has become a way of life for most of us to finance major purchases such as a house or car, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances affect our ability to manage. What plans have you made to be prepared for this? What is a fair response to someone in crisis? Surely, it wouldn’t be in keeping with being part of God’s good news to our community to offer nothing or hope no-one has a problem.

Click here for a list of agencies operating locally which may be useful. Why not post them up on your notice board and have a copy for reference. The local Citizens Advice Bureau will offer free debt / financial advice and offer a useful array of self-help information on their websites. If you are not computer savvy why not get your children or grandchildren to show you how and take the chance to talk some good money sense to them while you do it.

Another positive thing you can do, even if you are not personally affected at this point, is to support your local Credit Union by becoming a member so loans can be made. There is a strong likelihood that the current provision will extend over the county but the Credit Unions listed offer their services to people who live or work in the local area. Credit Unions are mutual organisations and encourage their members into the habit of saving and offer more affordable loans to people who might otherwise be forced to go to doorstep lenders. Just saving £1 a week can make a difference. As these services develop they depend on people registering positive interest so maybe you could ensure you respond to any survey concerning the development of services.

For a bit of strategic news, I have been working with a partnership of agencies over the last 12 months looking at Financial Inclusion for Derbyshire. We hope that this partnership will devise ways to develop access to services needed across the county. If you want to know more about this, contact me.

And in the spirit of Matthew’s gospel- we are taught to remember how much credit we have been given and be merciful to the person who needs time to pay back their debt, (Matthew 18:21). Sometimes once practical help is in place and despondence is lifted a person is then able to receive the spiritual gift of God’s love.
Stella Collishaw 01332 388685; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Free resources

Pages from the Church of England Website written for the current financial situation see:

i. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/prayers/#financial – specific prayers;

ii. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/debt: matter of life and debt. Pages of advice and information. This includes U tube clips on "How to have an affordable Christmas" by Joh Preston

iii. Debate in Synod: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/homeaffairs/debt

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Acts 435
Acts 435 is a revolutionary website that allows people to give money directly to others. 100% of what is donated via Acts 435 goes directly to those in need. If you GiftAid your donation, it helps towards the running costs of the charity.

It’s a very simple idea. There are people in our communities who need financial help, and there are people all over the country who want to help those in need. Acts 435 puts those people together.

It has been piloted in York diocese and the Archbishop of York is now extending its scope across the country

See www.acts435.co.uk

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Turn2us
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/?dm_i=3MG,CXGE,7H5L8,10SDI,1 helps individuals access financial support through welfare benefits, grants and other help.

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Churches together in Britain and Ireland have responded to the economic crisis with updated news and pages on poverty and debt, see: www.ctbi.org.uk/178

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Church action on Poverty are founder members of Debt on our Doorstep campaign. The campaign aims to end extortionate lending and ensure universal access to affordable credit and other financial services. One of their pages include suggestions of practical ways to tackle debt and financial inclusion, stories and reports and more information about the campaign see : http://www.church-poverty.org.uk/debtonourdoorstep

Care for the Family: A Christian support agency, see website: http://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/supportnet includes a support sheet "Money, debt and family life" as well as a programme “why talk to kids about money?” link at http://www.quidzin.org.uk/ offers regional training.

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