MISSION
Our church expresses its Christian mission through a diverse range of outreach initiatives, both at home and overseas, rooted in a commitment to service, compassion and faith in action.
Mission Group Knitting
Members and friends of the church contribute to the twice-yearly collection of crafted items (such as knitted and crocheted goods) for babies and children. These are then delivered to the Children and Families' Team at North-East Fife Social Work Dept., or packaged and sent to our mission partners in Mwandi. A group of talented Aberdeenshire folks also donate bright, hand-made quilts and blankets for children of all ages. Every cardigan, sweater, hat, pair of
bootees, toy or blanket finds a good home, and families in both Fife and Zambia benefit from the skills of Scottish makers.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid is a charity that works to end poverty and create a more equal world. They have been working for 80 years to support local organisations in countries affected by poverty and disasters. We collect for Christian Aid each year in May. This year's support is helping women in Kenya grow food, and earn an income and care for their children in the face of hunger and rising living costs.
Our Christian Aid coordinator is George Black.
Mwandi Mission and Hospital
Over the last 15 years or so, the legacy congregation of St. Mark’s has had a close relationship with our Mission Partners in Zambia, Keith and Ida Waddell. Over the years we have got to know them well and have enjoyed their visits every 2 years. The congregation has been a huge support to them, donating generously each year to help fund various projects, largely for Mwandi Mission Hospital, but also for the Mission nursery, primary and secondary schools, the special needs workshop and various other projects too numerous to mention here. This all to the tune of more than £50,000! We now look forward to continuing this support as St Andrews New Kirk!
During their visit in November 2025 Keith and Ida kindly led us in worship at St. Mark’s and shared a lot of news about Mwandi and specifically some of the projects we have supported in the past.​Keith, Ida, Mubita and Ellie returned to Zambia late-February this year after their busy 3 month furlough in Scotland. Keith is now retired but Ida has another 2 year contract extension and has projects she would like to help to complete at the hospital before her retiral. They have settled back into their busy life in Mwandi Mission, on the banks of the Zambezi, 90 miles from Livingstone and the Victoria Falls.​
​If you would like to receive the Waddells’ quarterly newsletter with lots more detail, then we can email it to you, just ask Muriel Gray to add you to her list or send a request to the church office stm@standrewsnewkirk.org. You can also keep up to date with Mwandi Mission Hospital on it's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063472483468
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​Many thanks for everyone’s donations, support and interest, it means so much to Keith and Ida and, as always, please keep Keith, Ida, Mubita, Ellie and the rest of their family in your prayers.
St Andrews New Kirk Trade Justice Stall
Our Trade Justice stall has been operational for over 20 years. We operate the stall fortnightly at St Leonard’s building and occasionally at Cameron, both after morning worship.
The stall is stocked entirely with ethically sourced food products, many of which are marked with the familiar Fair Trade logo. The products are imported by a small social enterprise True Origin which is based in Paisley in the West of Scotland, providing a few much-needed jobs there and supporting farmers and small agricultural businesses in the Global South. True Origin is a World Fair Trade certified organisation, which means the entire operation is run on fair trade principles.
The stall is set up and run by a small group of volunteers and is stocked with delicious food items, such as Kilombero rice from northern Malawi, jams and sauces from Meru Herbs in Kenya, balsamic vinegars and beer breads from the Western Cape of South Africa and jams and sauces from Eswatini. In addition, True Origin supplies ethically sourced coffees and teas, chocolates, nibbles, Palestinian olive oil amongst many other tasty items.
In addition, through getting to know the farmers and small businesses, we have made connections into their communities and have hosted visits from farmers and others during Fair Trade fortnight. The UK wide appeal for ploughs for women rice farmers began with our congregation and recently we sent used spectacles to Karonga,a remote town in norther Malawi where there are few facilities. According to the recipients , the glasses have given many the opportunity to work again and changed their lives in ways we cannot imagine. Young people have also benefitted hugely. It has made such a difference that they have already asked us to do this again.
Thank you all who faithfully support this work in reducing poverty in smallholder farming communities in the Global South by visiting the stall and purchasing items. We ask that each congregation member purchases one item per month. These are tough times for all but please drop by and stock up. True Origin also has an online shop (www.trueorgin.org.uk) and goods can be delivered direct to you, or get in touch with Mary Popple (marypopple@aol.com) and we can arrange delivery from the church. If you would like to join our rota to help with the stall please contact Mary.
MISSION CALENDAR
Get involved with some our mission activities throughout the year.
February
Fairtrade Fortnight
June
Plant sale, coffee morning and appeal to raise funds for projects run by our Mission Partners, Keith and Ida Wadell in Zambia
November
Toy Drive for NE Fife Social Work Dept
March
Easter Eggs for Home-start and Families First, Souper Sunday Lunch for Church of Scotland HIV Programme
July & August
Open Church
December
Christmas biscuits to Home-start and Families First, Christmas Goody bags for distribution by local Health Visitors
May
Christian Aid Week supporting our global neighbours who live in poverty
September & October
Harvest gifts to local care homes and hospital wards,
Caring Means Sharing appeal raising funds for one local, one national and one international charity as suggested by members of congregation
Ongoing
Support for Storehouse foodbank, Souper Friday, baby and children knitting to Social Work Dept, support for Mission Partners in Zambia, others as they arise e.g. supporting refugees