Last month, the Office of Fair Trading granted CAP a Group Consumer Credit Licence, which means they can offer a more affordable partnership option to churches who wish to do more of the debt counselling themselves. They are one of only three money advice organisations to hold this licence. Read more here .

Read good news of progress towards the five goals, plans for Fairtrade Fortnight and more in the latest Minutes of Sudbury Fairtrade Town Steering Group (attached).

John Boardman writes:

Thank you to all those in Sudbury who made a pennant for the wonderful world record Fairtrade bunting!

If you’d like to join the Sudbury group, please ring 01787 372738.

We did it! On World Fair Trade Day last Saturday we hung a 3,427.94 metre line of Fairtrade cotton bunting in Battersea Park, London. Thank you to the 130,000+ of you who took part in the creative petition in support of Fairtrade and trade justice in cotton. Click here for photos and more details.

Of course, it will take more than the longest line of bunting ever to end trade–distorting subsidies that are keeping African cotton farmers in poverty. Click here to take action to support the campaign: contact your MEP to ensure cotton is on the CAP reform agenda, and email Agriculture Minister Caroline Spelman to ensure the UK government fights our corner at the EU.

Best wishes
Adam Gardner
Campaigns Officer

The next meeting of the group takes place on Monday 20th June 2011, 7.30pm at 24 Waldingfield Road.

On Tuesday May 3rd at 3.00 pm at St John’s Methodist Church there will be a presentation on the DIGITAL SWITCHOVER.  This is aimed principally at older people but is an open meeting at which anyone who is concerned about what they need to do to prepare for the switchover, is most welcome.

Please come and join us if you prefer to have a speaker, and an opportunity to ask questions to a real person, rather than having to read a leaflet.

[NOTE: the Sudbury TV transmitter digital switchover occurs in July]

Many people will be familiar with the brand name ‘Fairtrade’, and this is becoming increasingly the norm as supermarkets become more supportive of the initiative.  But what is Fairtrade – and how does it affect us here in Sudbury?

I went to see The Rev’d John Boardman…….. click, to download full article.

Fairtrade Fortnight campaigns special: click here .

Fairtrade-Steering-Group-Meeting-1st-February-2011 – click for minutes .

To help with this, we would like to invite you to join with us at Sudbury Baptist Church for a half-day training session on Saturday 12th March, which will be led by Rev’d Richard Lewis, a Regional Minister in the Eastern Baptist Association. The session will run from 9.30am to 1pm, with a coffee break in between. We will also be serving coffee on arrival from 9am. We do have the use of the St Gregory’s School car park.

It is the type of event that would interest anyone involved in visitation and pastoral care.

The event is free of charge, but you will need to register in advance to attend.

To register, please contact Paul Mizen on 01787 375178 or email administrator@sudburybaptistchurch.co.uk by 28th February.

Putting Jesus back into Easter…

The Real Easter Egg company is the UK’s first and only Fairtrade Easter egg to explain the Christian understanding of Easter on the pack; it also gives a sizeable donation from profits to charitable projects.

If you would like to know more, and to order your Christian Easter Eggs, then please go to: www.realeasteregg.co.uk – please note the last date to order is 17^th February.

Supermarkets agree to stock Christian-themed Easter eggs from The Guardian, Friday 18 February 2011

New Easter egg raises money for two charities and mentions Jesus on the box

…Supermarkets [including Waitrose & the Coop] agree to stock Christian-themed Easter eggs … Church leaders have secured a small victory in their fight against secularism and the marginalisation of Christianity after major supermarkets agreed to stock the UK’s first and only Fairtrade charity Easter egg to mention Jesus on the box … New Easter egg raises money for two charities and mentions Jesus on the box…Read more

Please take time to read the attached summary of future plans for the re-launched MFG.

If you agree that churches should be addressing the serious decline in marriage, please show your support by coming to the next meeting:

10am on Monday 7th February.   St John’s Methodist Church.

We particularly need help for Publicity and other important roles.

If you cannot come but want to register support please email  Rev. John Clark (chairman) at: johnynorma@yahoo.ca or call him on 01787 313383. We will then keep you informed.