Each year, churches and worshipping communities across the Diocese of Gloucester take part in Christian Aid Week – a global fundraising event aimed at bringing families across the world out of poverty.
Yvonne Penn is the Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for Christian Aid, covering Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire and The Channel Islands, and shares how her own faith journey led her to this role.
Yvonne, who is a member of St Michael and All Angels, Bishop’s Cleeve, says, “My connection to church began at the age of two when I was taken to church on the shoulders of a Church Army sister. My father was a churchwarden and Mum helped to run various events and women’s groups. I went to Sunday school, sang in the church choir and became a leader in the attached Brownie pack. But despite regular attendance and knowing my Bible stories, volunteering with youth groups and being on the PCC, I don’t think I really appreciated being a Christian until much later in my life.
“I was a single parent and there were times when I struggled with life’s commitments. I had to have a cancer operation in 2009 and it was the fellowship love and prayers of my church community which helped me find the strength to live through months of procedures and to come out smiling and ready to serve. For me, being part of the extended church family became so important – in the quiet, alone times, I found strength from the Bible and exploring the meaning of Jesus’ words, and then the other times when the phone would ring or someone would call to encourage and support me. I began to see that God had always been there, even when I thought I was struggling alone, there had always been a way through. And through that, I wanted to give back.
“I’ve helped in various roles in different churches and when I moved to my present home in Gloucestershire, I also started to work with the wider local community by becoming a Parish Councillor, working on community events and activities. I try to connect this with my church life whenever I can, so that the local church – St Michael and All Angels in Bishop’s Cleeve – is seen as an important part of our village’s life. Two recent additions to my family in the guise of grandchildren have added to my roles and helped me appreciate God’s wonders even more.
“In my working life, I took early retirement from teaching and worked in church administration and for a charity before moving on to work for Christian Aid. I’m a fundraiser, but I also concentrate on engagement and speaking about our work, projects and campaigns on vital issues. This year, we’re focusing on ‘7 days, so many ways’ – from community events to individual challenges, Christian Aid Week 2024 is seven days of fundraising fun – your way, to fund lasting change.
“We appreciate it’s been a difficult year for many – and we don’t take our supporters and our partner churches for granted. So Christian Aid is making it easier than ever for people to get involved, with new fundraising activities and resources.
“One of the churches in my region, in Wiltshire, will be fundraising over seven weeks … a coffee morning and a different sale each week. Another in Bourton-on-the-Water will hold a quiz and we’ll be running an Africa picture trail in the shop windows in my own village of Bishop’s Cleeve. So many ways to participate!
“People can take part and fundraise as part of the raising ’70K in May’ challenge, or choose their own event. Please contact me to share what you’re doing and how I might help and support your event. I know that, with God’s help, we can make a world of difference. Every gift. Every action. Every prayer. Every one of us can change lives.”
Christian Aid Week is 12 to 18 May. If you would like Yvonne to speak at your church or group, please email gro.d1745429968ia-na1745429968itsir1745429968hc@nn1745429968ePY1745429968
Resources are also available online, such as worship materials, posters and more, at caweek.org/resources.
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