Fired Up for Fair Trade

This week's homegroup was a bit different. Graham, Ed and Nancy came and did a special Fair Trade presentation for us. They run the Fair Trade Stall in the Church and once a month you can buy all sorts of items from them including food, cards and clothing. This week we experienced the Fair Trade 'Roadshow' and the whole evening was dedicated to enjoying some homemade Fair Trade food, drinking the Fair Trade Tea/Coffee and sampling the biscuits. The Team had also brought some other gift items and after a look through the catalogue, I did not realise just what else was available!

We had a really good night and I thank Graham, Ed and Nancy for giving up their evening to come and serve us. Thanks guys! You can find out more about Fair Trade by talking to them next time you see them (go on - ask for a catalogue!) or clicking on the link below.

I have been thinking about all this since Wednesday. It was clear that the Fair Trade Team have a real passion and belief in what they're doing: they wouldn't do it otherwise! They are committed and dedicated to supporting this worthwhile cause but do it with considerable grace and humility; there was no Apprentice-Style 'hard sell'. Graham did a short presentation at the start of the evening and despite being very nervous he stepped out his 'comfort zone' and shared his heart. He was taking the heart for Fair Trade God has given him, combining it with the gifts God has placed in him so he can achieve the work God has prepared for him to do.

This process of 'activating our gifts' has been something of a theme for me in the last few days. On Tuesday night we met with ENERGY to launch our new 'OVER-2-U' strategy. As part of the vision for the youth ministry, we want to Activate our Gifts. The goal is to see every young person run a session before the end of the Summer Term either on their own or in teams. Vicki did an excellent training session with them, giving them some practical advice as this is really new territory for some.

We all have different interests, passions and things which catch our attention. Sport, music, reading, writing, performing arts, technology, working well with people, social action, business, teaching and so on are all examples of the gifts God gives us to serve His Kingdom. The key to unlocking this is to DO something about it and activate the gifts inside you.

Have a great Bank Holiday Weekend, see you on Sunday or back here on the Blog next Tuesday.

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/