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.
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. Christian Aid week this year will be 10-16 May 2026. The theme is “faithful action” helping mothers in Nairobi, Kenya, facing the devastating reality of urban poverty and the daily struggle of urban poverty and the daily struggle to feed their children. Our Christian Aid coordinator is Mr George Black.
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 and soaps 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.
Overseas Mission
Our congregation has close ties with Church of Scotland Mission Partners in Jerusalem and Zambia, with annual fundraising to support Mwandi Mission Hospital and School.
We actively collect and fundraise for Christian Aid. We have been involved with Fair Trade for many years, and we plan that St Andrews New Kirk will become a Fair-Trade church.
A trade justice stall is held fortnightly during morning coffee after worship. Through Fair Trade we have grown a close relationship with the small-holder rice farmer community of Karonga in northern Malawi, who we have supported in a variety of ways. The Caring Means Sharing Appeal has been giving at harvest time not only to international charities, but also local and national ones for over 50 years.
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