Success for Pancakes and Prayer Lent initiative!

The total raised by the Pancakes and Prayer Lent project has brought in enough money to feed almost 4,000 children in South Sudan for the next year.  The project, run by the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) and the Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development, encouraged youth groups and Sunday schools to get involved in praying for schools in South Sudan during Lent and raising funds – perhaps through giving something up, or by different initiatives within a parish or school community to contribute to the fundraising.

The money raised will be channelled through Fields of Life to provide plants and equipment for school gardens in South Sudan, so that the schoolchildren will be fed each day – and, as a result of the generosity of young people in Ireland, 3,980 children will now be fed.

Another Pancakes and Prayer fundraising campaign is planned for Lent next year so make sure you have your pans and ingredients ready to make a great difference again!  The amounts raised in 2025 were £3,807 and €5,135 – therefore equivalent to around £8,300 or €9,500 in total when current exchange rates are taken into account.

Words of thanks for our young people

National Youth Officer Simon Henry remarked: “One of CIYD’s key tenets is partnership and it was brilliant to come together with Bishops’ Appeal and Fields of Life for this exciting project.

“We were blown away by the level of participation from young people, clergy and youth leaders.  From youth groups to schools to Sunday morning services, there was so much engagement from all corners of the Church of Ireland and it has really encouraged us all, seeing young people engaged in responding to this need and knowing the impact it will have for the schools and children in South Sudan.”

Bishops’ Appeal’s Education Advisor, Hilary McClay, added: “Bishops’ Appeal is delighted by the wonderful response to our Pancakes and Prayer initiative, and encourages the young people of the Church of Ireland to continue to pray for the children in the schools in South Sudan.”

Naomi Campbell, Fields of Life’s Grants and Partnerships Manager, commented: “We are deeply grateful to the incredible young people across the Church of Ireland who took part in the Pancakes and Prayer Lent campaign. Your prayers and fundraising efforts are making a real and lasting difference for children in South Sudan. This is the world’s poorest country where tragically over 70 per cent of children are out of school.

“Since the start of the Thrive South Sudan project, the number of pupils across eight schools has increased by a remarkable 20 per cent, from 3,296 to 3,980! Hundreds of young people are in school today because of you!

“Thanks to your generosity, these schools are now skilled and equipped to sustainably grow their own food. Every child receives a daily meal, helping them stay in school, concentrate in class, and complete their education. Thank you for partnering with Fields of Life to let every child thrive!”

Readers can find out more about Fields of Life’s excellent work in East Africa through its website: www.fieldsoflife.org

South Sudan is home to around 11 million people and is the world’s newest country, having become independent in 2011.  Around one in five of its population (22%) is aged under 14 years of age.

A special collection for the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development by parishes in Down and Dromore to support people caught up in the violence in Gaza and the wider Middle East, has raised over £10,000.

Bishop David McClay encouraged every parish to give people the opportunity in June to support a special collection – which will be channelled by the Bishops’ Appeal to two trusted partners working on the ground in the Middle East, Tearfund and the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem (who both work across the region).

The money raised will support emergency aid to those most in need, through healthcare, food and shelter, and whatever support can be provided to those in such great need. The Diocese of Jerusalem runs one of the main hospitals in Gaza (Al-Ahli Arab Hospital) which cares for people from all communities. Tearfund is working in Gaza, the West Bank and around the Middle East to provide support and vital supplies to people impacted by the conflict, including displaced communities.

Parishes and individuals still have the opportunity to contribute to the total, by sending donations to Diocese of Down & Dromore, Unit 1, 21 Old Channel Road, Belfast, BT3 9DE – marked for Gaza and Middle East Appeal.

Hundreds of art-lovers have enjoyed their visit to Dunluce Parish Art & Photography Exhibition in recent weeks.  The annual Bushmills event was as popular as ever, with locals and visitors alike appreciating the talents of artists and photographers from across Northern Ireland.

Organisers were delighted with the quality and range of works on display and thanked the creative community for making the exhibition such a success – an impressive 39 works by 31 artists were sold over the course of the weekend.  They thanked the members of the public who attended the event, bought artworks, raffle tickets and refreshments and gave so generously to the nominated charity.

All proceeds after expenses go to charity and this year £3,350 (equivalent to €4,000) was raised for Bishops’ Appeal, which is currently supporting the work of Christian Aid on the ground in Myanmar after the disastrous earthquake there.

With thanks to Karen Bushby for report and David Johnston for photos.  A full gallery is available on the Diocese of Connor’s website here: https://connor.anglican.org/2025/05/22/art-lovers-flock-to-dunluce-as-exhibition-raises-3350-for-bishops-appeal

The following statement on the current situation in Gaza has been issued by Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Michael Jackson:

It is with outrage that we watch the desperation, dislocation, and defenceless resident population of Gaza who feel they have been abandoned by the world.

The international community must grasp reality and respond as never before. They can no longer stand by and watch the cruel starvation of innocent people, particularly the most vulnerable – children, older people and the ill – as well as the ongoing physical destruction of their lives and surroundings.

Amid the daily horror, the beacons of hope are the hospitals and the continuation of medical care, however rudimentary. This continues to point to the spirit of service at the heart of humanity.

In recent days we have seen another glimmer of hope from the resilient staff of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City which is owned and run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. The hospital was bombed on Palm Sunday and has reopened, as its courageous staff pledged in the days after the attack. They are operating in a tent which was erected in place of their destroyed building and are treating the injured and sick as best they can, in what is by anyone’s reckoning a living wasteland, with whatever resources they have.

We pledge our continuing support for the work of Al Ahli and support the Diocese of Jerusalem as it seeks to find a way forward for the hospital.

We repeat our call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the influx of every kind of appropriate aid to alleviate starvation, injury and lack of shelter.

We acknowledge that many feel hopeless and powerless to change what is happening in Gaza. We pray that all those in positions of power globally will stand up and demand an end to this cruelty and seek the reinstitution of international law.

When Jesus speaks of parents offering their children bread and fish, he concludes as follows: “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you …” (St Matthew 7.12).  In that spirit, now is the moment for decisive action.

Following the devastating earthquake last Friday (28th March) in South East Asia in which over two thousand lives have been lost, the Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee is sending emergency assistance of €10,000 (currently equivalent to £8,400) to Christian Aid’s appeal for Myanmar.

Parishes and individuals are encouraged to donate directly to Christian Aid to ensure that what we can give reaches those affected as swiftly as possible.

Bishop Ferran Glenfield, who chairs Bishops’ Appeal, remarks: “Myanmar is one of the most closed countries in the world, and generally doesn’t welcome international aid, but the monstrous earthquake has presented an opportunity for organisations such as Christian Aid to offer help to those whose lives have been devastated.  Bishops’ Appeal always works with trusted partners on the ground and Christian Aid is one of those partners.”

Examples of aid are shared below to show how donations can make a direct difference:

• £10 / €12 could help fund access to safe drinking water.
• £20 / €24 could support a family to eat for a week by offering a food parcel of essentials such as oil and rice.
• £20 / €24 could buy hygiene supplies for a family of five for two weeks.
• £50 / €61 could buy a food parcel for a family of five.
• £140 / €170 could provide blankets, mattresses and alternative sources of heating material for a family of five.
• £200 / €240 could fund an emergency shelter for a family who’ve been made homeless.
• £1,000 / €1,200 could fund emergency shelters for five families who’ve been made homeless.
• £5,000 / €6,000 could buy food parcels for 100 families, meeting their urgent nutritional needs.
• £10,000 / €12,000 could provide vital cash assistance so that 70 families can access shelter, food and safe drinking water.

Donations can be made directly through the Christian Aid Ireland website at this link:
https://www.christianaid.ie/appeals/emergencies/myanmar-earthquake-appeal

Julie Mehigan, Christian Aid’s Head of Asia, Middle East and Europe, adds: “Even before this heartbreaking earthquake, we know conflict and displacement has left countless people in real need. Every prayer and every gift will bring hope to people hit by disaster.”

Christian Aid has shared the following prayer for Myanmar, to encourage intercession:

God, our strength and our refuge,
We pray to you for the people of Myanmar.
We hold in mind those who are injured or have been bereaved.
We ask your protection for everyone awaiting rescue.
May those who have lost homes and belongings be comforted.
May emergency workers and medical staff be safe as they pour their energy into saving the lives of others.
May the international community respond quickly to support those affected.
God, our strength and our refuge,
Be with our global neighbours today.
Amen.