Outward Giving
"Freely you have received; freely give."
Matthew 10 v 8
Living generously and giving to those in need is an essential part of the Christian life. We have received so much from God that we can have no response than to give of our time, talents and money.
Each year, we aim to give around 10% of our annual regular giving, including tax recovery, to charitable causes, modelling good practice for Christians. In this way, we can build partnerships with charities that individuals may not be able to do on their own. Each charity has two dedicated Parish Links who follow the organisation’s progress and invite representatives to come and tell us about their work.
Click here to understand how we approach Outward Giving, hear about who we have supported in the past, and how much we are able to give.
Below is a summary of the work of the six organisations we have chosen to support financially until 2029, plus others that we also help.
The Bible Society
The Bible Society works to make the Bible available, relevant and credible in widely differing cultures. Scriptures are translated and distributed in 2,261 languages. Scripture cassettes "Faith comes by hearing" allow fresh encounters with the Bible. Testimonies and dramatised Scriptures can be heard on some radios and in Asia a CD ROM has been produced in eleven indigenous languages. Films on the life of Jesus have been produced and are available in many countries including Britain, which is now considered as needing missionary help by the Bible Society.
Click here for to go to their website for more information
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
CAP provides free debt help and supports local community groups across the UK. Operating through local churches, it provides practical and emotional support, showing people that there is always hope. Supported by paid employees, teams of local volunteers provide debt counselling, job clubs, life skills and release groups. While this is a national organisation, our support is targeted at their local operation which is very active on Mole Valley, benefitting both individuals and families.
Click here for to go to their website for more information
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Based in the UK, CSW works in the pursuit of justice for worldwide religious freedom and human rights, providing support for church leaders who are oppressed. Aiming to bring lasting cultural, social and political change to governments in the UK, overseas, United Nations and European Union, it lobbies governments using research, advocacy and petitions to influence the legislation, policies, attitudes and behaviours that reinforce religious discrimination and persecution. Their work is underpinned by strong prayer backing around the world, often focusing on particular people in crisis.
Click here for to go to their website for more information
A Rocha
A Rocha (which means ‘The Rock’ in Portuguese) has been working in nature conservation since 1983. It is a global family of conservation organisations working together in 20 countries to live out God’s calling to care for creation and equip others to do likewise. A Rocha is behind the Eco Church programme supporting churches to take practical action on caring for God’s earth. St Nicolas, is a Gold-level Eco church.
Click here for to go to their website for more information
Anna Chaplaincy - The Meeting Place, Bookham
The Meeting Place Anna Chaplaincy in Bookham offers spiritual support to older people whether living at home, in a care home or sheltered housing. It is part of a national network providing ministry to older people. St Nicolas supports Liz Tapp, the current Bookham Anna Chaplain, who works with a team of trained Anna Friends and other volunteers. Together they visit elderly people at home and run events, including coffee clubs, Holiday at Home days, informative talks, dementia-friendly activities such as carol concerts, as well as advocacy work.
Click here for to go to their website for more information
Way Maker School, Harare, Zimbabwe
Way Maker School is a non-profit private school in Zimbabwe and one of very few catering for SEND and neurodiverse pupils. Specialist teachers, Greg and Sophie Sangwine, train parents, local teachers and churches in techniques that enable neurodiverse children to access education and opportunities alongside their classmates. The school has a strong Christian focus and Sophie and Greg work on a purely volunteer basis, relying on donations. St Nicolas’s contributions cover fees for foster children.
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St Nicolas also supports other charities in bespoke ways. In particular, through food donations to LeatherHEAD Start, fund raising and other activities for Fairtrade, The Meeting Place and Christian Aid. We also help raise money for occasional special appeals.
Transform Trade
Formerly TraidCraft, Transform Trade work to tackle poverty through trade. Their vision is a world where all trade is just and there is no more poverty. They work for this by helping people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to set up businesses which can support them. All the projects supported have both social and business aims which seek to benefit whole communities and not just individuals. They also campaign against unfair trade in the UK and lobby both policy makers for changes in law and businesses to pay fair prices (which means wages which their producers can actually live on.)
Click here for to go to their website for more information
LeatherHEAD START
The Leatherhead Night Hostel first opened in 1977, formed by the Leatherhead Council of Churches as a hostel for homeless people. In partnership with Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) and generous local donor, a major upgrade was carried out in 2008. The renamed LeatherHEAD START’s mission is to provide secure and comfortable temporary accommodation for homeless people and to help residents improve their life skills and abilities to enable them to move back into the mainstream community.
Click here for to go to their website for more information