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Go the distance!You and your congregation could get together to set yourselves a target for how many steps for Fairtrade you hope to take in 2012. There are around 2,000 steps in every mile – could your church cover one mile on your journey this year? Or perhaps even two? You could get together with other churches in your area and aim even further! You can collect and record these steps any way you wish:
Perhaps you could make a big footpath showing all your steps and symbolising how your church has progressed on its journey of Fairtrade.
fairtrade ForTnight 2012
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Church action guide 2012
First Sunday of Fortnight4 MarchGenesis 17:1-7, 15 -16God promises the seemingly impossible to Abraham
Psalm 22:23- end Praise for the Lord who hears the cry of the poor
Romans 4:13- end Abraham’s faith: ‘Hoping against hope, he believed…’ (v18)
Mark 8:31- end Jesus’ way will challenge established powers
Following Jesus requires tough choices but is the way to life. ‘Faith is trusting in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change,’ writes Jim Wallis (Faith Works – Lessons on Spirituality and Social Action SPCK).Reversal of expectation, commitment, choice and the fact that faith and action go together are themes running through these readings. Following Jesus is costly, yet in God’s curious economy giving is receiving and blessing comes in the most unlikely circumstances.
The Fairtrade story can echo these themes: an alternative trading system which has the potential to help both producer and consumer, challenges the status quo and which has grown dramatically from the seed of an idea, a hope, to become an established, major reality – a growth achieved by individuals believing, making choices and taking action.
Second Sunday of Fortnight11 MarchExodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Psalm 19 or 19:7-end: The law is meant to bless
1 Corinthians 1:18 -25 Christ turns everything upside down. God chooses ordinary people to change the world
John 2:13 -22 Jesus drives out the money changers who desecrate what is holy in exploitative control of the market and pursuit of profit
The commandments would be a source of blessing today if their call to respect life and personhood were taken seriously. Instead, economic dogma is pursued regardless of the consequences to poor people, seen in the forcing of free trade on poor countries as a condition of aid or debt relief. Unfair trade rules rob people of both dignity and livelihood and the earth is exploited and worked to exhaustion. But there is an alternative.
Fairtrade restores dignity and respects both people and the environment; the campaign for trade justice aims to enshrine these principles in new trade rules.
Anger is not often seen as a virtue, but it can signal that something is wrong and act as a spur to corrective action. In God’s upside down kingdom it is ordinary people who are the movers and shakers – our choices and our actions can change the world.
Elizabeth Perry
Lectionary Readings
Product code: CAG5
www.fairtrade.org.ukFairtrade Foundation, 3rd Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DYTel: 020 7405 5942 Fax: 020 7977 0101Registered Charity No. 1043886. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 2733136
Photography credits: Simon Rawles, Zed Nelson
You and your church can make a real step change in 2012 by joining the almost 7,000 churches who have already registered as Fairtrade Churches.
On becoming a Fairtrade Church, you will receive a certificate to display, letting your congregation know you have made a commitment to Fairtrade.
The three goals a Fairtrade Church must fulfil are:
• Use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which they have responsibility
• Move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
• Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible
And if you’ve done that, check whether your denominational area has taken a step for Fairtrade.
1
3
2
Fairtrade denominational areasIn denominational areas like dioceses, churches are getting together to give their Fairtrade campaigns a louder voice and a bigger impact. Join them by working with other churches in your area to meet the following goals:
• To support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for
• Ensure that at least half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a Fairtrade Church
• Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there
• Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website
• Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for ensuring goals continue to be met and developed over time
To apply, simply complete an application form from www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths and return it to us by email or post.
ARE YOU A FAIRTRADE CHURCH?
A reflection on Acts 16:6 -10A plea for helpIn the depths of night the dream comes – the outstretched hand beckoning; the earnest plea for help. Day breaks but the vision remains. The echo of the words ‘come and help us’ clearly resound. Paul’s response is immediate. The call of God is acknowledged, travelling plans are changed and a new journey lies ahead.
In the media, on our screens, in numerous ways the vision comes – those affected by unjust trade systems; their earnest pleas for help. The echoes of suffering and need clearly resound. How will we respond? Will we dismiss the sight and continue along our chosen path or do as Paul did, recognise God’s call and change direction?
Let us journey together towards social justice; fair trade for all; a better world. Step by step, gathering others along the way… In partnership with God, we can make a difference.
To considerPray for new and creative ways to spread this vision to others so that they may join us on the Fairtrade journey.
Consider your particular circumstances. Are there new steps that you can take this year along the journey towards a better world?
Shopping light Shopping is now a universal obsession. Yet while millions consume their lives away, millions more die daily of poverty and debt. How can we afford this global inequality?
So let’s rewrite our weekly shopping list for the wellbeing of the world:
Let’s start shopping lighter by,shopping light of excess, shopping light of instant demand,shopping light of commercialisation, shopping light of environmental waste,shopping light of non-seasonable produce,shopping light of bargains at other people’s expense.
Let’s start reducing our greed by:reducing poverty,reducing malnutrition,reducing unfit housing,reducing unclean water,reducing unfair trade rules,reducing employment exploitation.
Between the producer and the consumer hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed. Between governments and nationshold the hands of economics and business profits.Yet together we can redistribute our resources and bring together the hands of justice and the heart of life.And that will be money well spent.
Catherine Kyte – Mothers’ Union. Fleur Dorrell – Mothers’ Union.
Fairtrade way!Organise a walk or take a journey linking one Fairtrade Church to another or even one Fairtrade denominational area to another! You could tell stories whilst on your walk to let other people in the community know about Fairtrade and the journey you have taken with some of the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries. You could even dress up for the walk – as bananas, chocolate, coffee beans or the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Showcase your journeyCreate a display in your church showing the journey your church has come on with Fairtrade – where it all started and where you are hoping to go. Tell your congregation about Fairtrade and why your church is supporting it – and invite them to join in and take their own steps for Fairtrade too.
Steps coffee morningAgree to make all your church coffee mornings Fairtrade in 2012! Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolate. Hold debates, talks and quizzes on Fairtrade to raise awareness and get people talking.
27 February – 11 March 2012
• Complete a ‘Take a step’ postcard
from the Fairtrade Foundation
• Ask people in your congregation to
draw around their feet to symbolise
each step – cut them out and
decorate them
• Or make your positive footprint for
Fairtrade in paint
• Register your step at www.fairtrade.org/step
Fairtrade Fortnight is one of the highlights of the year, when thousands of people up and down the UK take action to raise awareness of Fairtrade and help others to understand that a small step change here can make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for you, your church and your entire community to take a step for Fairtrade and we have lots of ideas to help you along the way.
Prayers and reflections
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Find
out
how
you
and
you
r chu
rch
can
take
ste
ps fo
r Fai
rtra
de o
n ke
y da
tes
thro
ugho
ut 2
012.
You
cou
ld
disp
lay
this
cal
enda
r on
your
chu
rch
notic
e bo
ard
to re
min
d yo
u an
d yo
ur
cong
rega
tion
to in
clud
e Fa
irtra
de
in y
our p
lans
!
st
ep
in
20
12tak
e a
Reg
iste
r yo
ur s
tep
at
fair
trad
e.or
g.uk
/ste
p
6 A
pr
il
Mak
e it
a Fa
irtra
de G
ood
Frid
ayM
ake
hot c
ross
bun
s w
ith F
airtr
ade
ingr
edie
nts
on G
ood
Frid
ay a
nd s
erve
th
em to
the
rest
of t
he c
ongr
egat
ion
afte
r you
r ser
vice
.
21 F
eb
ru
ar
y
Mak
e it
a Fa
irtra
de S
hrov
e Tu
esda
yTh
ink
Fairt
rade
whe
n bu
ying
you
r pa
ncak
e in
gred
ient
s. G
o fo
r the
cla
ssic
re
cipe
by
usin
g Fa
irtra
de le
mon
s an
d su
gar o
r be
adve
ntur
ous
and
try a
tast
y Fa
irtra
de c
hoco
late
and
ban
ana
fillin
g.O
rgan
ise
a Fa
irtra
de-th
emed
pan
cake
pa
rty a
nd h
ave
fun
whi
lst r
emem
berin
g al
l tho
se fa
rmer
s an
d pr
oduc
ers
who
ar
e st
rugg
ling
to m
ake
ends
mee
t. M
aybe
this
cou
ld b
e th
e fir
st o
f man
y cu
linar
y Fa
irtra
de s
teps
take
n by
you
and
you
r ch
urch
in 2
012!
Join
the
Wor
ld’s
Big
gest
Fai
r Tra
de
Brea
kfas
t on
Wor
ld F
air T
rade
Day
!W
orld
Fai
r Tra
de D
ay is
the
annu
al
cele
brat
ion
for t
he w
hole
fair
trade
m
ovem
ent i
nter
natio
nally
and
this
yea
r, w
e ar
e as
king
Fai
rtrad
e su
ppor
ters
ar
ound
the
wor
ld to
take
a b
ig s
tep
and
hold
a F
air T
rade
Bre
akfa
st.
You
and
your
chu
rch
can
get
invo
lved
by
hold
ing
a br
eakf
ast
in y
our c
hurc
h ha
ll be
fore
or
afte
r you
r ser
vice
on
Sund
ay –
se
rve
as m
any
Fairt
rade
pro
duct
s as
yo
u ca
n fin
d an
d ge
t peo
ple
talk
ing
abou
t whe
re th
eir b
reak
fast
com
es
from
. The
re’s
Fairt
rade
tea,
coff
ee,
hot c
hoco
late
, fru
it ju
ices
, fru
it sa
lad,
m
uesl
i, ho
ney,
drie
d fru
its a
nd b
aked
go
ods
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
ingr
edie
nts.
W
hy n
ot a
sk e
ach
mem
ber o
f you
r co
ngre
gatio
n to
brin
g th
eir f
avou
rite
Fairt
rade
bre
akfa
st p
rodu
ct fo
r ev
eryo
ne e
lse
to tr
y?W
orld
Fai
r Tra
de D
ay fa
lls th
e Sa
turd
ay
befo
re C
hris
tian
Aid
Wee
k st
arts
. So
for C
hris
tian
Aid
supp
orte
rs, w
hy
not u
se y
our F
air T
rade
Bre
akfa
st to
su
ppor
t Chr
istia
n Ai
d to
o? Y
ou c
ould
as
k pe
ople
to c
ontri
bute
a fe
w p
ound
s to
join
you
r bre
akfa
st o
r hol
d a
raffl
e fo
r a F
airtr
ade
brea
kfas
t ham
per.
12 M
ay
8 A
pr
il
Putti
ng J
esus
bac
k in
to E
aste
rC
eleb
rate
Eas
ter b
y bu
ying
(and
en
joyi
ng!)
a RE
AL E
aste
r Egg
, the
fir
st a
nd o
nly
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te
East
er e
gg to
exp
lain
the
Chr
istia
n un
ders
tand
ing
of E
aste
r on
the
box.
Se
e w
ww
.real
east
ereg
g.co
.uk
for
mor
e in
form
atio
n.
Org
anis
e a
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te E
aste
r eg
g hu
nt a
roun
d yo
ur c
hurc
h fo
r the
lo
cal S
unda
y sc
hool
chi
ldre
n us
ing
Fairt
rade
-them
ed c
lues
– it
’s a
grea
t w
ay to
hav
e fu
n w
hils
t lea
rnin
g ab
out
the
diffe
renc
e Fa
irtra
de is
mak
ing
arou
nd th
e w
orld
.
Why
not
sta
rt yo
ur y
ear o
ff as
you
m
ean
to g
o on
and
mak
e a
Fairt
rade
re
solu
tion?
Afte
r all,
eve
ry jo
urne
y be
gins
with
a s
ingl
e st
ep!
Perh
aps
your
chu
rch
coul
d m
ake
a re
solu
tion
to o
nly
use
Fairt
rade
bis
cuits
at
coff
ee m
orni
ngs
or th
e w
hole
co
ngre
gatio
n co
uld
reso
lve
to a
lway
s ta
ke a
Fai
rtrad
e gi
ft w
hen
they
go
to
dinn
er p
artie
s –
how
abo
ut F
airtr
ade
win
e, fl
ower
s or
cho
cola
tes?
!
JAN
UA
RY
De
ce
mb
er
–
Ch
ris
tm
as
Cel
ebra
te a
n et
hica
l Chr
istm
as b
y us
ing
as m
any
Fairt
rade
and
loca
lly
sour
ced
prod
ucts
as
poss
ible
in y
our
Chr
istm
as m
eal.
Inco
rpor
ate
Fairt
rade
go
odie
s in
to y
our c
hurc
h ce
lebr
atio
ns
on C
hris
tmas
Eve
and
Chr
istm
as D
ay
– so
me
war
min
g m
ulle
d w
ine
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
win
e an
d sp
ices
will
go
dow
n a
treat
. Yo
u co
uld
even
sho
w F
athe
r Chr
istm
as
how
goo
d yo
u ha
ve b
een
this
yea
r by
hang
ing
a Fa
irtra
de c
otto
n C
hris
tmas
st
ocki
ng o
n th
e fir
epla
ce! Y
ou c
an g
et
thes
e an
d ot
her F
airtr
ade
cotto
n to
ys
and
gifts
from
Bis
hops
ton
Trad
ing
Com
pany
ww
w.
bish
opst
ontr
adin
g.co
.uk
or m
ake
your
ow
n us
ing
Fairt
rade
cot
ton.
Se
pt
em
be
r
Giv
e th
anks
for t
he fr
uits
of a
Fa
irtra
de h
arve
stH
arve
st is
a ti
me
to g
ive
than
ks
and
to c
eleb
rate
the
bles
sing
s an
d pr
ovis
ion
that
God
has
giv
en to
us.
It
is a
lso
a tim
e to
thin
k ab
out w
here
ou
r foo
d co
mes
from
and
to s
how
our
su
ppor
t for
farm
ers
and
prod
ucer
s in
dev
elop
ing
coun
tries
who
ofte
n st
rugg
le to
mak
e a
dece
nt li
ving
from
th
eir w
ork.
It’s
the
perfe
ct ti
me
to m
ake
the
links
bet
wee
n Fa
irtra
de a
nd lo
cal
prod
uce
and
the
peop
le b
ehin
d al
l the
fo
ods
we
enjo
y. M
ake
this
a F
airtr
ade
harv
est t
ime
by
mak
ing
a st
ep c
hang
e in
you
r chu
rch.
• M
ake
Fairt
rade
and
loca
l har
vest
ba
sket
s in
clud
ing
as m
uch
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te, n
uts,
frui
t and
ot
her i
tem
s as
pos
sibl
e –
it’s
a gr
eat w
ay to
get
you
r con
greg
atio
n to
thin
k m
ore
care
fully
abo
ut th
e pr
oduc
ts th
at th
ey b
uy.
• Pr
ay fo
r far
mer
s an
d th
eir f
amilie
s in
dev
elop
ing
coun
tries
who
are
of
ten
trapp
ed in
pov
erty
bec
ause
of
low
pric
es, u
nfai
r tra
de ru
les
and
the
effec
ts o
f clim
ate
chan
ge.
• O
rgan
ise
a Fa
irtra
de h
arve
st m
eal
in y
our l
ocal
com
mun
ity c
entre
or
chur
ch h
all a
nd a
sk e
very
one
to
brin
g a
dish
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
and
loca
l ing
redi
ents
. Per
haps
th
ere
coul
d be
a p
rize
for t
he
best
one
?•
Use
the
pres
enta
tion
abou
t Fa
irtra
de a
nd c
limat
e ch
ange
on
the
Fairt
rade
Fou
ndat
ion
web
site
to
giv
e a
talk
abo
ut h
ow fa
rmer
s ar
e fe
elin
g th
e eff
ects
of c
limat
e ch
ange
now
. Fin
d it
at w
ww
.fa
irtra
de.o
rg.u
k/re
sour
ces
22 F
eb
ru
ar
y
– 5
Ap
ril
Hel
p th
ose
in p
over
ty th
is L
ent
Lent
is tr
aditi
onal
ly a
per
iod
of
peni
tenc
e an
d ab
stin
ence
. If y
ou a
re
givi
ng s
omet
hing
up
this
Len
t, w
hy
not u
se th
e m
oney
you
sav
e to
buy
a
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te E
aste
r egg
or h
old
a Fa
irtra
de c
offee
mor
ning
on
East
er
Sund
ay?
You
coul
d ev
en g
o a
step
furth
er a
nd
give
up
non-
Fairt
rade
pro
duct
s fo
r th
e w
hole
40
days
. Wha
t a g
reat
way
to
hel
p th
ose
in p
over
ty a
nd p
rom
ote
just
ice
this
Len
t, th
ough
it w
ould
be
a re
al c
halle
nge!
2012
Fa
irt
ra
de
c
hu
rc
h
ca
le
nd
ar
27 F
eb
ru
ar
y
– 11
Ma
rc
h
fa
irt
ra
de
F
or
Tn
igh
t
Su
pp
or
te
d b
y
Cocoa is the lifeblood of the Caribbean country known as the Dominican Republic. In fact, 40,000 growers rely on it for a living. One of those people is 64-year-old Mariano Manzuela. But unlike most of the other cocoa growers, Mariano is less vulnerable to the volatile nature of the cocoa market.
Mariano’s advantage is that he is a member of a democratically run co-operative called CONACADO, along with 10,000 others. He’s been running his half-hectare farm for 30 years, working from 6am until 3pm every day, tending his cocoa trees and other crops. With six sons and five daughters, his is one of the poorest families in the community and he’s often struggled to cover the cost of food and education for his children.
Being part of Fairtrade means he receives a fair and stable price for his cocoa – great news for planning ahead. His colleagues from other producer groups in the area have agreed to lend him money to help him rebuild his house.
The money from Fairtrade means Mariano can meet his needs, plus the co-operative receives the Fairtrade premium, an additional amount to invest in their business and the community. His children have benefitted from scholarships funded by this premium to pay for school expenses and exam fees, and a new classroom at the local primary school. Mariano is bursting with pride because two
of his children have now managed to win university places – helping to fulfil Mariano’s biggest hope that his children will get a good education.
Fairtrade is helping lots of farmers like Mariano to feel more secure in their future and their livelihoods. Santos Mendoza, President of the
CONACADO co-operative said, ‘The great thing about Fairtrade is that it enables cocoa farmers like me to have a say in shaping out future through talking and working directly with retailers and companies. Through the pricing structure and the Fairtrade premium we will be able to invest in both our business and our community to ensure a brighter future for our family, other farmers and our friends.’
CONACADO cocoa co-operative, Dominican Republic
Mariano’s story
Your small steps for Fairtrade can add up to big changes for farmers like Mariano, their families and communities. Buying Fairtrade already benefits millions, but we’ve still got a long way to go.
‘The great thing about Fairtrade is that it enables cocoa farmers like me to have a say in shaping our future’
Make it a small step, like swapping your church’s tea to Fairtrade, or a bigger step, like organising a fête for Fairtrade. Whatever step you take, you will be joining thousands of communities, faith groups and businesses all over the country, taking their next steps for Fairtrade.
Together, we hope to take 1.5 million steps for Fairtrade in 2012! That’s one for every single Fairtrade farmer and worker around the world. Each of these steps leads to a better deal from global trade that millions more farmers and workers so urgently need.This new Church Action Guide is packed full of ideas and activities for you and your church to get involved and take action for Fairtrade in the community during Fairtrade Fortnight, on World Fair Trade Day, in the Summer of Fairtrade and on lots of other dates in between!
There are so many opportunities to shout about Fairtrade that this year we have put together a guide for the whole of 2012!
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Throughout 2012, we are inviting churches across the UK to join the journey towards a better world for the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries by taking a step for Fairtrade. Churches have been involved in this journey since the very beginning – in 2012 what will your next step be?
Fairtrade is more than a certification mark – it is an inspiration to change. Confucius said: I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.
That is why Fairtrade works – as farmers start to export themselves, as people talk about Fairtrade in their places of worship or buy Fairtrade, as companies engage more with producers – everyone learns and understands, creating a basis for lasting change. Visiting producers in Africa, I am struck again and again by their strength and ambition which, coupled with the dedication and determination of campaigners here, can take Fairtrade further. So that boys like Alan, son of single mother Sarah who works on a flower farm in Kenya, can attend university, because his education has been paid for, right through secondary school, by the Fairtrade premium. So that Fairtrade smallholder enterprises can unleash the potential bubbling up. As one artisanal soap-maker in South Africa’s second largest township said to me: ‘Maybe one day we will get to wear suits and ties and go to present our business overseas’.
Working alone on a small plot, a farmer can change very little. Working with her neighbours, she has power. And so for us too – by taking more steps and continuing the journey together we are beginning to achieve transformative change for smallholders and workers across the developing world.
Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade Exectuive Director, Fairtrade Foundation
Every
step
counts
jun
e –
Se
pt
em
be
r
Join
the
Sum
mer
of F
airt
rade
!Fê
tes,
fairs
and
fest
ivals
are
tradi
tiona
l at
this
time
of y
ear,
and
thes
e pr
ovid
e lo
ads
of o
ppor
tuni
ties
for i
ncor
pora
ting
Fairt
rade
. Wha
teve
r you
are
doi
ng in
yo
ur c
hurc
h th
is su
mm
er, y
ou c
an ta
ke
step
s to
brin
g pe
ople
clo
ser t
o Fa
irtra
de.
Take
a s
tep
at y
our c
hurc
h fê
te b
y se
rvin
g Fa
irtra
de te
a an
d co
ffee,
pu
tting
up
Fairt
rade
cot
ton
bunt
ing
and
baki
ng c
akes
with
Fai
rtrad
e in
gred
ient
s. O
rgan
ise
gam
es a
nd
quizz
es a
bout
Fai
rtrad
e to
get
ev
eryo
ne in
volv
ed –
eve
r trie
d ba
nana
fis
hing
? En
cour
age
peop
le to
take
st
eps
for F
airtr
ade
by d
raw
ing
arou
nd
thei
r fee
t on
a gi
ant p
aper
foot
prin
t. Yo
u co
uld
ask
your
Sun
day
scho
ol
child
ren
to d
ecor
ate
this
foot
prin
t and
th
en d
ispl
ay it
in c
hurc
h.Th
e 20
12 O
lym
pic
and
Para
lym
pic
Gam
es ta
ke p
lace
in A
ugus
t and
Se
ptem
ber.
Show
off
your
ste
ps fo
r Fa
irtra
de to
vis
itors
to y
our c
hurc
h.
Che
ck w
ww
.mor
etha
ngol
d.or
g.uk
fo
r how
to in
volv
e yo
ur c
hurc
h in
th
e G
ames
.
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
Find
out
how
you
and
you
r chu
rch
can
take
ste
ps fo
r Fai
rtra
de o
n ke
y da
tes
thro
ugho
ut 2
012.
You
cou
ld
disp
lay
this
cal
enda
r on
your
chu
rch
notic
e bo
ard
to re
min
d yo
u an
d yo
ur
cong
rega
tion
to in
clud
e Fa
irtra
de
in y
our p
lans
!
st
ep
in
20
12tak
e a
Reg
iste
r yo
ur s
tep
at
fair
trad
e.or
g.uk
/ste
p
6 A
pr
il
Mak
e it
a Fa
irtra
de G
ood
Frid
ayM
ake
hot c
ross
bun
s w
ith F
airtr
ade
ingr
edie
nts
on G
ood
Frid
ay a
nd s
erve
th
em to
the
rest
of t
he c
ongr
egat
ion
afte
r you
r ser
vice
.
21 F
eb
ru
ar
y
Mak
e it
a Fa
irtra
de S
hrov
e Tu
esda
yTh
ink
Fairt
rade
whe
n bu
ying
you
r pa
ncak
e in
gred
ient
s. G
o fo
r the
cla
ssic
re
cipe
by
usin
g Fa
irtra
de le
mon
s an
d su
gar o
r be
adve
ntur
ous
and
try a
tast
y Fa
irtra
de c
hoco
late
and
ban
ana
fillin
g.O
rgan
ise
a Fa
irtra
de-th
emed
pan
cake
pa
rty a
nd h
ave
fun
whi
lst r
emem
berin
g al
l tho
se fa
rmer
s an
d pr
oduc
ers
who
ar
e st
rugg
ling
to m
ake
ends
mee
t. M
aybe
this
cou
ld b
e th
e fir
st o
f man
y cu
linar
y Fa
irtra
de s
teps
take
n by
you
and
you
r ch
urch
in 2
012!
Join
the
Wor
ld’s
Big
gest
Fai
r Tra
de
Brea
kfas
t on
Wor
ld F
air T
rade
Day
!W
orld
Fai
r Tra
de D
ay is
the
annu
al
cele
brat
ion
for t
he w
hole
fair
trade
m
ovem
ent i
nter
natio
nally
and
this
yea
r, w
e ar
e as
king
Fai
rtrad
e su
ppor
ters
ar
ound
the
wor
ld to
take
a b
ig s
tep
and
hold
a F
air T
rade
Bre
akfa
st.
You
and
your
chu
rch
can
get
invo
lved
by
hold
ing
a br
eakf
ast
in y
our c
hurc
h ha
ll be
fore
or
afte
r you
r ser
vice
on
Sund
ay –
se
rve
as m
any
Fairt
rade
pro
duct
s as
yo
u ca
n fin
d an
d ge
t peo
ple
talk
ing
abou
t whe
re th
eir b
reak
fast
com
es
from
. The
re’s
Fairt
rade
tea,
coff
ee,
hot c
hoco
late
, fru
it ju
ices
, fru
it sa
lad,
m
uesl
i, ho
ney,
drie
d fru
its a
nd b
aked
go
ods
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
ingr
edie
nts.
W
hy n
ot a
sk e
ach
mem
ber o
f you
r co
ngre
gatio
n to
brin
g th
eir f
avou
rite
Fairt
rade
bre
akfa
st p
rodu
ct fo
r ev
eryo
ne e
lse
to tr
y?W
orld
Fai
r Tra
de D
ay fa
lls th
e Sa
turd
ay
befo
re C
hris
tian
Aid
Wee
k st
arts
. So
for C
hris
tian
Aid
supp
orte
rs, w
hy
not u
se y
our F
air T
rade
Bre
akfa
st to
su
ppor
t Chr
istia
n Ai
d to
o? Y
ou c
ould
as
k pe
ople
to c
ontri
bute
a fe
w p
ound
s to
join
you
r bre
akfa
st o
r hol
d a
raffl
e fo
r a F
airtr
ade
brea
kfas
t ham
per.
12 M
ay
8 A
pr
il
Putti
ng J
esus
bac
k in
to E
aste
rC
eleb
rate
Eas
ter b
y bu
ying
(and
en
joyi
ng!)
a RE
AL E
aste
r Egg
, the
fir
st a
nd o
nly
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te
East
er e
gg to
exp
lain
the
Chr
istia
n un
ders
tand
ing
of E
aste
r on
the
box.
Se
e w
ww
.real
east
ereg
g.co
.uk
for
mor
e in
form
atio
n.
Org
anis
e a
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te E
aste
r eg
g hu
nt a
roun
d yo
ur c
hurc
h fo
r the
lo
cal S
unda
y sc
hool
chi
ldre
n us
ing
Fairt
rade
-them
ed c
lues
– it
’s a
grea
t w
ay to
hav
e fu
n w
hils
t lea
rnin
g ab
out
the
diffe
renc
e Fa
irtra
de is
mak
ing
arou
nd th
e w
orld
.
Why
not
sta
rt yo
ur y
ear o
ff as
you
m
ean
to g
o on
and
mak
e a
Fairt
rade
re
solu
tion?
Afte
r all,
eve
ry jo
urne
y be
gins
with
a s
ingl
e st
ep!
Perh
aps
your
chu
rch
coul
d m
ake
a re
solu
tion
to o
nly
use
Fairt
rade
bis
cuits
at
coff
ee m
orni
ngs
or th
e w
hole
co
ngre
gatio
n co
uld
reso
lve
to a
lway
s ta
ke a
Fai
rtrad
e gi
ft w
hen
they
go
to
dinn
er p
artie
s –
how
abo
ut F
airtr
ade
win
e, fl
ower
s or
cho
cola
tes?
!
JAN
UA
RY
De
ce
mb
er
–
Ch
ris
tm
as
Cel
ebra
te a
n et
hica
l Chr
istm
as b
y us
ing
as m
any
Fairt
rade
and
loca
lly
sour
ced
prod
ucts
as
poss
ible
in y
our
Chr
istm
as m
eal.
Inco
rpor
ate
Fairt
rade
go
odie
s in
to y
our c
hurc
h ce
lebr
atio
ns
on C
hris
tmas
Eve
and
Chr
istm
as D
ay
– so
me
war
min
g m
ulle
d w
ine
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
win
e an
d sp
ices
will
go
dow
n a
treat
. Yo
u co
uld
even
sho
w F
athe
r Chr
istm
as
how
goo
d yo
u ha
ve b
een
this
yea
r by
hang
ing
a Fa
irtra
de c
otto
n C
hris
tmas
st
ocki
ng o
n th
e fir
epla
ce! Y
ou c
an g
et
thes
e an
d ot
her F
airtr
ade
cotto
n to
ys
and
gifts
from
Bis
hops
ton
Trad
ing
Com
pany
ww
w.
bish
opst
ontr
adin
g.co
.uk
or m
ake
your
ow
n us
ing
Fairt
rade
cot
ton.
Se
pt
em
be
r
Giv
e th
anks
for t
he fr
uits
of a
Fa
irtra
de h
arve
stH
arve
st is
a ti
me
to g
ive
than
ks
and
to c
eleb
rate
the
bles
sing
s an
d pr
ovis
ion
that
God
has
giv
en to
us.
It
is a
lso
a tim
e to
thin
k ab
out w
here
ou
r foo
d co
mes
from
and
to s
how
our
su
ppor
t for
farm
ers
and
prod
ucer
s in
dev
elop
ing
coun
tries
who
ofte
n st
rugg
le to
mak
e a
dece
nt li
ving
from
th
eir w
ork.
It’s
the
perfe
ct ti
me
to m
ake
the
links
bet
wee
n Fa
irtra
de a
nd lo
cal
prod
uce
and
the
peop
le b
ehin
d al
l the
fo
ods
we
enjo
y. M
ake
this
a F
airtr
ade
harv
est t
ime
by
mak
ing
a st
ep c
hang
e in
you
r chu
rch.
• M
ake
Fairt
rade
and
loca
l har
vest
ba
sket
s in
clud
ing
as m
uch
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te, n
uts,
frui
t and
ot
her i
tem
s as
pos
sibl
e –
it’s
a gr
eat w
ay to
get
you
r con
greg
atio
n to
thin
k m
ore
care
fully
abo
ut th
e pr
oduc
ts th
at th
ey b
uy.
• Pr
ay fo
r far
mer
s an
d th
eir f
amilie
s in
dev
elop
ing
coun
tries
who
are
of
ten
trapp
ed in
pov
erty
bec
ause
of
low
pric
es, u
nfai
r tra
de ru
les
and
the
effec
ts o
f clim
ate
chan
ge.
• O
rgan
ise
a Fa
irtra
de h
arve
st m
eal
in y
our l
ocal
com
mun
ity c
entre
or
chur
ch h
all a
nd a
sk e
very
one
to
brin
g a
dish
mad
e w
ith F
airtr
ade
and
loca
l ing
redi
ents
. Per
haps
th
ere
coul
d be
a p
rize
for t
he
best
one
?•
Use
the
pres
enta
tion
abou
t Fa
irtra
de a
nd c
limat
e ch
ange
on
the
Fairt
rade
Fou
ndat
ion
web
site
to
giv
e a
talk
abo
ut h
ow fa
rmer
s ar
e fe
elin
g th
e eff
ects
of c
limat
e ch
ange
now
. Fin
d it
at w
ww
.fa
irtra
de.o
rg.u
k/re
sour
ces
22 F
eb
ru
ar
y
– 5
Ap
ril
Hel
p th
ose
in p
over
ty th
is L
ent
Lent
is tr
aditi
onal
ly a
per
iod
of
peni
tenc
e an
d ab
stin
ence
. If y
ou a
re
givi
ng s
omet
hing
up
this
Len
t, w
hy
not u
se th
e m
oney
you
sav
e to
buy
a
Fairt
rade
cho
cola
te E
aste
r egg
or h
old
a Fa
irtra
de c
offee
mor
ning
on
East
er
Sund
ay?
You
coul
d ev
en g
o a
step
furth
er a
nd
give
up
non-
Fairt
rade
pro
duct
s fo
r th
e w
hole
40
days
. Wha
t a g
reat
way
to
hel
p th
ose
in p
over
ty a
nd p
rom
ote
just
ice
this
Len
t, th
ough
it w
ould
be
a re
al c
halle
nge!
2012
Fa
irt
ra
de
c
hu
rc
h
ca
le
nd
ar
27 F
eb
ru
ar
y
– 11
Ma
rc
h
fa
irt
ra
de
F
or
Tn
igh
t
Su
pp
or
te
d b
y
Cocoa is the lifeblood of the Caribbean country known as the Dominican Republic. In fact, 40,000 growers rely on it for a living. One of those people is 64-year-old Mariano Manzuela. But unlike most of the other cocoa growers, Mariano is less vulnerable to the volatile nature of the cocoa market.
Mariano’s advantage is that he is a member of a democratically run co-operative called CONACADO, along with 10,000 others. He’s been running his half-hectare farm for 30 years, working from 6am until 3pm every day, tending his cocoa trees and other crops. With six sons and five daughters, his is one of the poorest families in the community and he’s often struggled to cover the cost of food and education for his children.
Being part of Fairtrade means he receives a fair and stable price for his cocoa – great news for planning ahead. His colleagues from other producer groups in the area have agreed to lend him money to help him rebuild his house.
The money from Fairtrade means Mariano can meet his needs, plus the co-operative receives the Fairtrade premium, an additional amount to invest in their business and the community. His children have benefitted from scholarships funded by this premium to pay for school expenses and exam fees, and a new classroom at the local primary school. Mariano is bursting with pride because two
of his children have now managed to win university places – helping to fulfil Mariano’s biggest hope that his children will get a good education.
Fairtrade is helping lots of farmers like Mariano to feel more secure in their future and their livelihoods. Santos Mendoza, President of the
CONACADO co-operative said, ‘The great thing about Fairtrade is that it enables cocoa farmers like me to have a say in shaping out future through talking and working directly with retailers and companies. Through the pricing structure and the Fairtrade premium we will be able to invest in both our business and our community to ensure a brighter future for our family, other farmers and our friends.’
CONACADO cocoa co-operative, Dominican Republic
Mariano’s story
country known as the Dominican Republic. In fact, 40,000 growers rely on it for a living. One of those people is 64-year-old Mariano
cocoa growers, Mariano is less vulnerable to
CONACADO cocoa co-operative,
Your small steps for Fairtrade can add up to big changes for farmers like Mariano, their families and communities. Buying Fairtrade already benefits millions, but we’ve still got a long way to go.
‘The great thing about Fairtrade is that it enables cocoa farmers like me to have a say in shaping our future’
Make it a small step, like swapping your church’s tea to Fairtrade, or a bigger step, like organising a fête for Fairtrade. Whatever step you take, you will be joining thousands of communities, faith groups and businesses all over the country, taking their next steps for Fairtrade.
Together, we hope to take 1.5 million steps for Fairtrade in 2012! That’s one for every single Fairtrade farmer and worker around the world. Each of these steps leads to a better deal from global trade that millions more farmers and workers so urgently need.This new Church Action Guide is packed full of ideas and activities for you and your church to get involved and take action for Fairtrade in the community during Fairtrade Fortnight, on World Fair Trade Day, in the Summer of Fairtrade and on lots of other dates in between!
There are so many opportunities to shout about Fairtrade that this year we have put together a guide for the whole of 2012!
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Throughout 2012, we are inviting churches across the UK to join the journey towards a better world for the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries by taking a step for Fairtrade. Churches have been involved in this journey since the very beginning – in 2012 what will your next step be?
Fairtrade is more than a certification mark – it is an inspiration to change. Confucius said: I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.
That is why Fairtrade works – as farmers start to export themselves, as people talk about Fairtrade in their places of worship or buy Fairtrade, as companies engage more with producers – everyone learns and understands, creating a basis for lasting change. Visiting producers in Africa, I am struck again and again by their strength and ambition which, coupled with the dedication and determination of campaigners here, can take Fairtrade further. So that boys like Alan, son of single mother Sarah who works on a flower farm in Kenya, can attend university, because his education has been paid for, right through secondary school, by the Fairtrade premium. So that Fairtrade smallholder enterprises can unleash the potential bubbling up. As one artisanal soap-maker in South Africa’s second largest township said to me: ‘Maybe one day we will get to wear suits and ties and go to present our business overseas’.
Working alone on a small plot, a farmer can change very little. Working with her neighbours, she has power. And so for us too – by taking more steps and continuing the journey together we are beginning to achieve transformative change for smallholders and workers across the developing world.
Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade Exectuive Director, Fairtrade Foundation
Every
step
counts
jun
e –
Se
pt
em
be
r
Join
the
Sum
mer
of F
airt
rade
!Fê
tes,
fairs
and
fest
ivals
are
tradi
tiona
l at
this
time
of y
ear,
and
thes
e pr
ovid
e lo
ads
of o
ppor
tuni
ties
for i
ncor
pora
ting
Fairt
rade
. Wha
teve
r you
are
doi
ng in
yo
ur c
hurc
h th
is su
mm
er, y
ou c
an ta
ke
step
s to
brin
g pe
ople
clo
ser t
o Fa
irtra
de.
Take
a s
tep
at y
our c
hurc
h fê
te b
y se
rvin
g Fa
irtra
de te
a an
d co
ffee,
pu
tting
up
Fairt
rade
cot
ton
bunt
ing
and
baki
ng c
akes
with
Fai
rtrad
e in
gred
ient
s. O
rgan
ise
gam
es a
nd
quizz
es a
bout
Fai
rtrad
e to
get
ev
eryo
ne in
volv
ed –
eve
r trie
d ba
nana
fis
hing
? En
cour
age
peop
le to
take
st
eps
for F
airtr
ade
by d
raw
ing
arou
nd
thei
r fee
t on
a gi
ant p
aper
foot
prin
t. Yo
u co
uld
ask
your
Sun
day
scho
ol
child
ren
to d
ecor
ate
this
foot
prin
t and
th
en d
ispl
ay it
in c
hurc
h.Th
e 20
12 O
lym
pic
and
Para
lym
pic
Gam
es ta
ke p
lace
in A
ugus
t and
Se
ptem
ber.
Show
off
your
ste
ps fo
r Fa
irtra
de to
vis
itors
to y
our c
hurc
h.
Che
ck w
ww
.mor
etha
ngol
d.or
g.uk
fo
r how
to in
volv
e yo
ur c
hurc
h in
th
e G
ames
.
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
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Find out how you and your church can take steps for Fairtrade on key dates throughout 2012. You could display this calendar on your church notice board to remind you and your congregation to include Fairtrade in your plans!
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
6 April
Make it a Fairtrade Good FridayMake hot cross buns with Fairtrade ingredients on Good Friday and serve them to the rest of the congregation after your service.
in your plans!
21 February
Make it a Fairtrade Shrove TuesdayThink Fairtrade when buying your pancake ingredients. Go for the classic recipe by using Fairtrade lemons and sugar or be adventurous and try a tasty Fairtrade chocolate and banana filling.Organise a Fairtrade-themed pancake party and have fun whilst remembering all those farmers and producers who are struggling to make ends meet.
Maybe this could be the first of many culinary Fairtrade steps taken by you and your church in 2012!
Maybe this could be the first of many culinary Fairtrade steps taken by you and your church in 2012!
Join the World’s Biggest Fair Trade Breakfast on World Fair Trade Day!World Fair Trade Day is the annual celebration for the whole fair trade movement internationally and this year, we are asking Fairtrade supporters around the world to take a big step and hold a Fair Trade Breakfast. You and your church can get involved by holding a breakfast in your church hall before or after your service on Sunday – serve as many Fairtrade products as you can find and get people talking about where their breakfast comes from. There’s Fairtrade tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit juices, fruit salad, muesli, honey, dried fruits and baked goods made with Fairtrade ingredients. Why not ask each member of your congregation to bring their favourite Fairtrade breakfast product for everyone else to try?World Fair Trade Day falls the Saturday before Christian Aid Week starts. So for Christian Aid supporters, why not use your Fair Trade Breakfast to support Christian Aid too? You could ask people to contribute a few pounds to join your breakfast or hold a raffle for a Fairtrade breakfast hamper.
12 May
around the world to take a big step and hold a Fair Trade Breakfast.
involved by holding a breakfast
8 April
Putting Jesus back into EasterCelebrate Easter by buying (and enjoying!) a REAL Easter Egg, the first and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg to explain the Christian understanding of Easter on the box. See www.realeasteregg.co.uk for more information. Organise a Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg hunt around your church for the local Sunday school children using Fairtrade-themed clues – it’s a great way to have fun whilst learning about the difference Fairtrade is making around the world.
Putting Jesus back into EasterWhy not start your year off as you mean to go on and make a Fairtrade resolution? After all, every journey begins with a single step! Perhaps your church could make a resolution to only use Fairtrade biscuits at coffee mornings or the whole congregation could resolve to always take a Fairtrade gift when they go to dinner parties – how about Fairtrade wine, flowers or chocolates?!
JANUARY
December – Christmas
Celebrate an ethical Christmas by using as many Fairtrade and locally sourced products as possible in your Christmas meal. Incorporate Fairtrade goodies into your church celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – some warming mulled wine made with Fairtrade wine and spices will go down a treat. You could even show Father Christmas how good you have been this year by hanging a Fairtrade cotton Christmas stocking on the fireplace! You can get these and other Fairtrade cotton toys and gifts from Bishopston Trading Company www.bishopstontrading.co.uk or make your own using Fairtrade cotton.
September
Give thanks for the fruits of a Fairtrade harvestHarvest is a time to give thanks and to celebrate the blessings and provision that God has given to us. It is also a time to think about where our food comes from and to show our support for farmers and producers in developing countries who often struggle to make a decent living from their work. It’s the perfect time to make the links between Fairtrade and local produce and the people behind all the foods we enjoy. Make this a Fairtrade harvest time by making a step change in your church.
• Make Fairtrade and local harvest baskets including as much Fairtrade chocolate, nuts, fruit and other items as possible – it’s a great way to get your congregation to think more carefully about the products that they buy.
• Pray for farmers and their families in developing countries who are often trapped in poverty because of low prices, unfair trade rules and the effects of climate change.
• Organise a Fairtrade harvest meal in your local community centre or church hall and ask everyone to bring a dish made with Fairtrade and local ingredients. Perhaps there could be a prize for the best one?
• Use the presentation about Fairtrade and climate change on the Fairtrade Foundation website to give a talk about how farmers are feeling the effects of climate change now. Find it at www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources
22 February – 5 April
Help those in poverty this LentLent is traditionally a period of penitence and abstinence. If you are giving something up this Lent, why not use the money you save to buy a Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg or hold a Fairtrade coffee morning on Easter Sunday?You could even go a step further and give up non-Fairtrade products for the whole 40 days. What a great way to help those in poverty and promote justice this Lent, though it would be a real challenge!
2012 Fairtrade
church calendar
27 February – 11 March
fairtrade ForTnight
Supported by
Cocoa is the lifeblood of the C
aribbean country know
n as the Dominican Republic.
In fact, 40,000 growers rely on it for a living.
One of those people is 64-year-old M
ariano M
anzuela. But unlike most of the other
cocoa growers, M
ariano is less vulnerable to the volatile nature of the cocoa m
arket.
Mariano’s advantage is that he is a m
ember
of a democratically run co-operative called
CO
NAC
ADO, along w
ith 10,000 others. H
e’s been running his half-hectare farm
for 30 years, working from
6am until 3pm
every day, tending his cocoa trees and other crops. W
ith six sons and five daughters, his is one of the poorest fam
ilies in the com
munity and he’s often struggled to
cover the cost of food and education for his children.
Being part of Fairtrade means he receives
a fair and stable price for his cocoa – great new
s for planning ahead. His colleagues
from other producer groups in the area
have agreed to lend him m
oney to help him
rebuild his house.
The money from
Fairtrade means M
ariano can m
eet his needs, plus the co-operative receives the Fairtrade prem
ium, an additional
amount to invest in their business and the
comm
unity. His children have benefitted
from scholarships funded by this prem
ium to
pay for school expenses and exam fees, and
a new classroom
at the local primary school.
Mariano is bursting w
ith pride because two
of his children have now m
anaged to win
university places – helping to fulfil Mariano’s
biggest hope that his children will get a good
education.
Fairtrade is helping lots of farm
ers like Mariano to feel
more secure in their future
and their livelihoods. Santos M
endoza, President of the C
ON
ACADO
co-operative said, ‘The great thing about Fairtrade is that it enables cocoa farm
ers like me to have
a say in shaping out future through talking and w
orking directly with retailers and
companies. Through the pricing structure
and the Fairtrade premium
we w
ill be able to invest in both our business and our com
munity to ensure a brighter future for
our family, other farm
ers and our friends.’
CO
NA
CA
DO
cocoa co-op
erative,
Dom
inica
n R
epu
blic
Ma
riano’s story
Your small steps for Fairtrade can add up to big changes for farm
ers like M
ariano, their families and com
munities. Buying Fairtrade already
benefits millions, but w
e’ve still got a long way to go.
‘The grea
t thing a
bout
Fairtra
de is tha
t it enab
les cocoa
farm
ers like me to ha
ve a
say in sha
ping
our future’M
ake it a small step, like sw
apping your church’s tea to Fairtrade, or a bigger step, like organising a fête for Fairtrade. W
hatever step you take, you w
ill be joining thousands of com
munities, faith groups and businesses
all over the country, taking their next steps for Fairtrade.
Together, we hope to take 1.5 m
illion steps for Fairtrade in 2012! That’s one for every single Fairtrade farm
er and worker around
the world. Each of these steps leads to a
better deal from global trade that m
illions m
ore farmers and w
orkers so urgently need.This new
Church Action G
uide is packed full of ideas and activities for you and your church to get involved and take action for Fairtrade in the com
munity during Fairtrade
Fortnight, on World Fair Trade Day, in the
Summ
er of Fairtrade and on lots of other dates in betw
een!
There are so many opportunities to
shout about Fairtrade that this year w
e have put together a guide for the w
hole of 2012! s
te
p
in 20
12 tak
e a
Reg
ister your step
atfairtrad
e.org.uk/step
Throughout 2012, w
e are inviting
churches a
cross the UK
to join the journey tow
ard
s a b
etter world
for the p
oorest farm
ers and
workers in
develop
ing countries b
y taking
a
step for Fa
irtrad
e. Churches ha
ve b
een involved in this journey since
the very beg
inning – in 2012 w
hat
will your next step
be?
Fairtrade is more than a certification
mark – it is an inspiration to change.
Confucius said: I hear and I forget; I see
and I remem
ber; I do and I understand.
That is why Fairtrade w
orks – as farmers
start to export themselves, as people
talk about Fairtrade in their places of w
orship or buy Fairtrade, as companies
engage more w
ith producers – everyone learns and understands, creating a basis for lasting change. Visiting producers in Africa, I am
struck again and again by their strength and am
bition which,
coupled with the dedication and
determination of cam
paigners here, can take Fairtrade further. So that boys like Alan, son of single m
other Sarah who
works on a flow
er farm in Kenya, can
attend university, because his education has been paid for, right through secondary school, by the Fairtrade prem
ium. So that Fairtrade sm
allholder enterprises can unleash the potential bubbling up. As one artisanal soap-m
aker in South Africa’s second largest tow
nship said to me: ‘M
aybe one day we
will get to w
ear suits and ties and go to present our business overseas’.
Working alone on a sm
all plot, a farmer
can change very little. Working w
ith her neighbours, she has pow
er. And so for us too – by taking m
ore steps and continuing the journey together w
e are beginning to achieve transform
ative change for sm
allholders and workers
across the developing world.
Harriet Lam
b, Fairtrade Exectuive Director, Fairtrade Foundation
Ev
er
y
st
ep
co
un
ts
june – September
Join the Summer of Fairtrade!Fêtes, fairs and festivals are traditional at this time of year, and these provide loads of opportunities for incorporating Fairtrade. Whatever you are doing in your church this summer, you can take steps to bring people closer to Fairtrade.Take a step at your church fête by serving Fairtrade tea and coffee, putting up Fairtrade cotton bunting and baking cakes with Fairtrade ingredients. Organise games and quizzes about Fairtrade to get everyone involved – ever tried banana fishing? Encourage people to take steps for Fairtrade by drawing around their feet on a giant paper footprint. You could ask your Sunday school children to decorate this footprint and then display it in church.The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in August and September. Show off your steps for Fairtrade to visitors to your church. Check www.morethangold.org.uk for how to involve your church in the Games.
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Go the distance!You and your congregation could get together to set yourselves a target for how many steps for Fairtrade you hope to take in 2012. There are around 2,000 steps in every mile – could your church cover one mile on your journey this year? Or perhaps even two? You could get together with other churches in your area and aim even further! You can collect and record these steps any way you wish:
Perhaps you could make a big footpath showing all your steps and symbolising how your church has progressed on its journey of Fairtrade.
fairtrade ForTnight 2012
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Church action guide 2012
First Sunday of Fortnight4 MarchGenesis 17:1-7, 15 -16God promises the seemingly impossible to Abraham
Psalm 22:23- end Praise for the Lord who hears the cry of the poor
Romans 4:13- end Abraham’s faith: ‘Hoping against hope, he believed…’ (v18)
Mark 8:31- end Jesus’ way will challenge established powers
Following Jesus requires tough choices but is the way to life. ‘Faith is trusting in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change,’ writes Jim Wallis (Faith Works – Lessons on Spirituality and Social Action SPCK).Reversal of expectation, commitment, choice and the fact that faith and action go together are themes running through these readings. Following Jesus is costly, yet in God’s curious economy giving is receiving and blessing comes in the most unlikely circumstances.
The Fairtrade story can echo these themes: an alternative trading system which has the potential to help both producer and consumer, challenges the status quo and which has grown dramatically from the seed of an idea, a hope, to become an established, major reality – a growth achieved by individuals believing, making choices and taking action.
Second Sunday of Fortnight11 MarchExodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Psalm 19 or 19:7-end: The law is meant to bless
1 Corinthians 1:18 -25 Christ turns everything upside down. God chooses ordinary people to change the world
John 2:13 -22 Jesus drives out the money changers who desecrate what is holy in exploitative control of the market and pursuit of profit
The commandments would be a source of blessing today if their call to respect life and personhood were taken seriously. Instead, economic dogma is pursued regardless of the consequences to poor people, seen in the forcing of free trade on poor countries as a condition of aid or debt relief. Unfair trade rules rob people of both dignity and livelihood and the earth is exploited and worked to exhaustion. But there is an alternative.
Fairtrade restores dignity and respects both people and the environment; the campaign for trade justice aims to enshrine these principles in new trade rules.
Anger is not often seen as a virtue, but it can signal that something is wrong and act as a spur to corrective action. In God’s upside down kingdom it is ordinary people who are the movers and shakers – our choices and our actions can change the world.
Elizabeth Perry
Lectionary Readings
Product code: CAG5
www.fairtrade.org.ukFairtrade Foundation, 3rd Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DYTel: 020 7405 5942 Fax: 020 7977 0101Registered Charity No. 1043886. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 2733136
Photography credits: Simon Rawles, Zed Nelson
You and your church can make a real step change in 2012 by joining the almost 7,000 churches who have already registered as Fairtrade Churches.
On becoming a Fairtrade Church, you will receive a certificate to display, letting your congregation know you have made a commitment to Fairtrade.
The three goals a Fairtrade Church must fulfil are:
• Use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which they have responsibility
• Move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
• Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible
And if you’ve done that, check whether your denominational area has taken a step for Fairtrade.
1
3
2
Fairtrade denominational areasIn denominational areas like dioceses, churches are getting together to give their Fairtrade campaigns a louder voice and a bigger impact. Join them by working with other churches in your area to meet the following goals:
• To support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for
• Ensure that at least half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a Fairtrade Church
• Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there
• Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website
• Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for ensuring goals continue to be met and developed over time
To apply, simply complete an application form from www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths and return it to us by email or post.
ARE YOU A FAIRTRADE CHURCH?
A reflection on Acts 16:6 -10A plea for helpIn the depths of night the dream comes – the outstretched hand beckoning; the earnest plea for help. Day breaks but the vision remains. The echo of the words ‘come and help us’ clearly resound. Paul’s response is immediate. The call of God is acknowledged, travelling plans are changed and a new journey lies ahead.
In the media, on our screens, in numerous ways the vision comes – those affected by unjust trade systems; their earnest pleas for help. The echoes of suffering and need clearly resound. How will we respond? Will we dismiss the sight and continue along our chosen path or do as Paul did, recognise God’s call and change direction?
Let us journey together towards social justice; fair trade for all; a better world. Step by step, gathering others along the way… In partnership with God, we can make a difference.
To considerPray for new and creative ways to spread this vision to others so that they may join us on the Fairtrade journey.
Consider your particular circumstances. Are there new steps that you can take this year along the journey towards a better world?
Shopping light Shopping is now a universal obsession. Yet while millions consume their lives away, millions more die daily of poverty and debt. How can we afford this global inequality?
So let’s rewrite our weekly shopping list for the wellbeing of the world:
Let’s start shopping lighter by,shopping light of excess, shopping light of instant demand,shopping light of commercialisation, shopping light of environmental waste,shopping light of non-seasonable produce,shopping light of bargains at other people’s expense.
Let’s start reducing our greed by:reducing poverty,reducing malnutrition,reducing unfit housing,reducing unclean water,reducing unfair trade rules,reducing employment exploitation.
Between the producer and the consumer hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed. Between governments and nationshold the hands of economics and business profits.Yet together we can redistribute our resources and bring together the hands of justice and the heart of life.And that will be money well spent.
Catherine Kyte – Mothers’ Union. Fleur Dorrell – Mothers’ Union.
Fairtrade way!Organise a walk or take a journey linking one Fairtrade Church to another or even one Fairtrade denominational area to another! You could tell stories whilst on your walk to let other people in the community know about Fairtrade and the journey you have taken with some of the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries. You could even dress up for the walk – as bananas, chocolate, coffee beans or the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Showcase your journeyCreate a display in your church showing the journey your church has come on with Fairtrade – where it all started and where you are hoping to go. Tell your congregation about Fairtrade and why your church is supporting it – and invite them to join in and take their own steps for Fairtrade too.
Steps coffee morningAgree to make all your church coffee mornings Fairtrade in 2012! Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolate. Hold debates, talks and quizzes on Fairtrade to raise awareness and get people talking.
27 February – 11 March 2012
• Complete a ‘Take a step’ postcard
from the Fairtrade Foundation
• Ask people in your congregation to
draw around their feet to symbolise
each step – cut them out and
decorate them
• Or make your positive footprint for
Fairtrade in paint
• Register your step at www.fairtrade.org/step
Fairtrade Fortnight is one of the highlights of the year, when thousands of people up and down the UK take action to raise awareness of Fairtrade and help others to understand that a small step change here can make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for you, your church and your entire community to take a step for Fairtrade and we have lots of ideas to help you along the way.
Prayers and reflections
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FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
Go the distance!You and your congregation could get together to set yourselves a target for how many steps for Fairtrade you hope to take in 2012. There are around 2,000 steps in every mile – could your church cover one mile on your journey this year? Or perhaps even two? You could get together with other churches in your area and aim even further! You can collect and record these steps any way you wish:
Perhaps you could make a big footpath showing all your steps and symbolising how your church has progressed on its journey of Fairtrade.
fairtrade ForTnight 2012
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Church action guide 2012
First Sunday of Fortnight4 MarchGenesis 17:1-7, 15 -16God promises the seemingly impossible to Abraham
Psalm 22:23- end Praise for the Lord who hears the cry of the poor
Romans 4:13- end Abraham’s faith: ‘Hoping against hope, he believed…’ (v18)
Mark 8:31- end Jesus’ way will challenge established powers
Following Jesus requires tough choices but is the way to life. ‘Faith is trusting in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change,’ writes Jim Wallis (Faith Works – Lessons on Spirituality and Social Action SPCK).Reversal of expectation, commitment, choice and the fact that faith and action go together are themes running through these readings. Following Jesus is costly, yet in God’s curious economy giving is receiving and blessing comes in the most unlikely circumstances.
The Fairtrade story can echo these themes: an alternative trading system which has the potential to help both producer and consumer, challenges the status quo and which has grown dramatically from the seed of an idea, a hope, to become an established, major reality – a growth achieved by individuals believing, making choices and taking action.
Second Sunday of Fortnight11 MarchExodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Psalm 19 or 19:7-end: The law is meant to bless
1 Corinthians 1:18 -25 Christ turns everything upside down. God chooses ordinary people to change the world
John 2:13 -22 Jesus drives out the money changers who desecrate what is holy in exploitative control of the market and pursuit of profit
The commandments would be a source of blessing today if their call to respect life and personhood were taken seriously. Instead, economic dogma is pursued regardless of the consequences to poor people, seen in the forcing of free trade on poor countries as a condition of aid or debt relief. Unfair trade rules rob people of both dignity and livelihood and the earth is exploited and worked to exhaustion. But there is an alternative.
Fairtrade restores dignity and respects both people and the environment; the campaign for trade justice aims to enshrine these principles in new trade rules.
Anger is not often seen as a virtue, but it can signal that something is wrong and act as a spur to corrective action. In God’s upside down kingdom it is ordinary people who are the movers and shakers – our choices and our actions can change the world.
Elizabeth Perry
Lectionary Readings
Product code: CAG5
www.fairtrade.org.ukFairtrade Foundation, 3rd Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DYTel: 020 7405 5942 Fax: 020 7977 0101Registered Charity No. 1043886. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 2733136
Photography credits: Simon Rawles, Zed Nelson
You and your church can make a real step change in 2012 by joining the almost 7,000 churches who have already registered as Fairtrade Churches.
On becoming a Fairtrade Church, you will receive a certificate to display, letting your congregation know you have made a commitment to Fairtrade.
The three goals a Fairtrade Church must fulfil are:
• Use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which they have responsibility
• Move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
• Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible
And if you’ve done that, check whether your denominational area has taken a step for Fairtrade.
1
3
2
Fairtrade denominational areasIn denominational areas like dioceses, churches are getting together to give their Fairtrade campaigns a louder voice and a bigger impact. Join them by working with other churches in your area to meet the following goals:
• To support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for
• Ensure that at least half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a Fairtrade Church
• Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there
• Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website
• Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for ensuring goals continue to be met and developed over time
To apply, simply complete an application form from www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths and return it to us by email or post.
ARE YOU A FAIRTRADE CHURCH?
A reflection on Acts 16:6 -10A plea for helpIn the depths of night the dream comes – the outstretched hand beckoning; the earnest plea for help. Day breaks but the vision remains. The echo of the words ‘come and help us’ clearly resound. Paul’s response is immediate. The call of God is acknowledged, travelling plans are changed and a new journey lies ahead.
In the media, on our screens, in numerous ways the vision comes – those affected by unjust trade systems; their earnest pleas for help. The echoes of suffering and need clearly resound. How will we respond? Will we dismiss the sight and continue along our chosen path or do as Paul did, recognise God’s call and change direction?
Let us journey together towards social justice; fair trade for all; a better world. Step by step, gathering others along the way… In partnership with God, we can make a difference.
To considerPray for new and creative ways to spread this vision to others so that they may join us on the Fairtrade journey.
Consider your particular circumstances. Are there new steps that you can take this year along the journey towards a better world?
Shopping light Shopping is now a universal obsession. Yet while millions consume their lives away, millions more die daily of poverty and debt. How can we afford this global inequality?
So let’s rewrite our weekly shopping list for the wellbeing of the world:
Let’s start shopping lighter by,shopping light of excess, shopping light of instant demand,shopping light of commercialisation, shopping light of environmental waste,shopping light of non-seasonable produce,shopping light of bargains at other people’s expense.
Let’s start reducing our greed by:reducing poverty,reducing malnutrition,reducing unfit housing,reducing unclean water,reducing unfair trade rules,reducing employment exploitation.
Between the producer and the consumer hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed. Between governments and nationshold the hands of economics and business profits.Yet together we can redistribute our resources and bring together the hands of justice and the heart of life.And that will be money well spent.
Catherine Kyte – Mothers’ Union. Fleur Dorrell – Mothers’ Union.
Fairtrade way!Organise a walk or take a journey linking one Fairtrade Church to another or even one Fairtrade denominational area to another! You could tell stories whilst on your walk to let other people in the community know about Fairtrade and the journey you have taken with some of the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries. You could even dress up for the walk – as bananas, chocolate, coffee beans or the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Showcase your journeyCreate a display in your church showing the journey your church has come on with Fairtrade – where it all started and where you are hoping to go. Tell your congregation about Fairtrade and why your church is supporting it – and invite them to join in and take their own steps for Fairtrade too.
Steps coffee morningAgree to make all your church coffee mornings Fairtrade in 2012! Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolate. Hold debates, talks and quizzes on Fairtrade to raise awareness and get people talking.
27 February – 11 March 2012
• Complete a ‘Take a step’ postcard
from the Fairtrade Foundation
• Ask people in your congregation to
draw around their feet to symbolise
each step – cut them out and
decorate them
• Or make your positive footprint for
Fairtrade in paint
• Register your step at www.fairtrade.org/step
Fairtrade Fortnight is one of the highlights of the year, when thousands of people up and down the UK take action to raise awareness of Fairtrade and help others to understand that a small step change here can make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for you, your church and your entire community to take a step for Fairtrade and we have lots of ideas to help you along the way.
Prayers and reflections
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
FOLD
Go the distance!You and your congregation could get together to set yourselves a target for how many steps for Fairtrade you hope to take in 2012. There are around 2,000 steps in every mile – could your church cover one mile on your journey this year? Or perhaps even two? You could get together with other churches in your area and aim even further! You can collect and record these steps any way you wish:
Perhaps you could make a big footpath showing all your steps and symbolising how your church has progressed on its journey of Fairtrade.
fairtrade ForTnight 2012
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Church action guide 2012
First Sunday of Fortnight4 MarchGenesis 17:1-7, 15 -16God promises the seemingly impossible to Abraham
Psalm 22:23- end Praise for the Lord who hears the cry of the poor
Romans 4:13- end Abraham’s faith: ‘Hoping against hope, he believed…’ (v18)
Mark 8:31- end Jesus’ way will challenge established powers
Following Jesus requires tough choices but is the way to life. ‘Faith is trusting in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change,’ writes Jim Wallis (Faith Works – Lessons on Spirituality and Social Action SPCK).Reversal of expectation, commitment, choice and the fact that faith and action go together are themes running through these readings. Following Jesus is costly, yet in God’s curious economy giving is receiving and blessing comes in the most unlikely circumstances.
The Fairtrade story can echo these themes: an alternative trading system which has the potential to help both producer and consumer, challenges the status quo and which has grown dramatically from the seed of an idea, a hope, to become an established, major reality – a growth achieved by individuals believing, making choices and taking action.
Second Sunday of Fortnight11 MarchExodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Psalm 19 or 19:7-end: The law is meant to bless
1 Corinthians 1:18 -25 Christ turns everything upside down. God chooses ordinary people to change the world
John 2:13 -22 Jesus drives out the money changers who desecrate what is holy in exploitative control of the market and pursuit of profit
The commandments would be a source of blessing today if their call to respect life and personhood were taken seriously. Instead, economic dogma is pursued regardless of the consequences to poor people, seen in the forcing of free trade on poor countries as a condition of aid or debt relief. Unfair trade rules rob people of both dignity and livelihood and the earth is exploited and worked to exhaustion. But there is an alternative.
Fairtrade restores dignity and respects both people and the environment; the campaign for trade justice aims to enshrine these principles in new trade rules.
Anger is not often seen as a virtue, but it can signal that something is wrong and act as a spur to corrective action. In God’s upside down kingdom it is ordinary people who are the movers and shakers – our choices and our actions can change the world.
Elizabeth Perry
Lectionary Readings
Product code: CAG5
www.fairtrade.org.ukFairtrade Foundation, 3rd Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DYTel: 020 7405 5942 Fax: 020 7977 0101Registered Charity No. 1043886. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 2733136
Photography credits: Simon Rawles, Zed Nelson
You and your church can make a real step change in 2012 by joining the almost 7,000 churches who have already registered as Fairtrade Churches.
On becoming a Fairtrade Church, you will receive a certificate to display, letting your congregation know you have made a commitment to Fairtrade.
The three goals a Fairtrade Church must fulfil are:
• Use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which they have responsibility
• Move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
• Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible
And if you’ve done that, check whether your denominational area has taken a step for Fairtrade.
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3
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Fairtrade denominational areasIn denominational areas like dioceses, churches are getting together to give their Fairtrade campaigns a louder voice and a bigger impact. Join them by working with other churches in your area to meet the following goals:
• To support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for
• Ensure that at least half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a Fairtrade Church
• Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there
• Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website
• Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for ensuring goals continue to be met and developed over time
To apply, simply complete an application form from www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths and return it to us by email or post.
ARE YOU A FAIRTRADE CHURCH?
A reflection on Acts 16:6 -10A plea for helpIn the depths of night the dream comes – the outstretched hand beckoning; the earnest plea for help. Day breaks but the vision remains. The echo of the words ‘come and help us’ clearly resound. Paul’s response is immediate. The call of God is acknowledged, travelling plans are changed and a new journey lies ahead.
In the media, on our screens, in numerous ways the vision comes – those affected by unjust trade systems; their earnest pleas for help. The echoes of suffering and need clearly resound. How will we respond? Will we dismiss the sight and continue along our chosen path or do as Paul did, recognise God’s call and change direction?
Let us journey together towards social justice; fair trade for all; a better world. Step by step, gathering others along the way… In partnership with God, we can make a difference.
To considerPray for new and creative ways to spread this vision to others so that they may join us on the Fairtrade journey.
Consider your particular circumstances. Are there new steps that you can take this year along the journey towards a better world?
Shopping light Shopping is now a universal obsession. Yet while millions consume their lives away, millions more die daily of poverty and debt. How can we afford this global inequality?
So let’s rewrite our weekly shopping list for the wellbeing of the world:
Let’s start shopping lighter by,shopping light of excess, shopping light of instant demand,shopping light of commercialisation, shopping light of environmental waste,shopping light of non-seasonable produce,shopping light of bargains at other people’s expense.
Let’s start reducing our greed by:reducing poverty,reducing malnutrition,reducing unfit housing,reducing unclean water,reducing unfair trade rules,reducing employment exploitation.
Between the producer and the consumer hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed. Between governments and nationshold the hands of economics and business profits.Yet together we can redistribute our resources and bring together the hands of justice and the heart of life.And that will be money well spent.
Catherine Kyte – Mothers’ Union. Fleur Dorrell – Mothers’ Union.
Fairtrade way!Organise a walk or take a journey linking one Fairtrade Church to another or even one Fairtrade denominational area to another! You could tell stories whilst on your walk to let other people in the community know about Fairtrade and the journey you have taken with some of the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries. You could even dress up for the walk – as bananas, chocolate, coffee beans or the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Showcase your journeyCreate a display in your church showing the journey your church has come on with Fairtrade – where it all started and where you are hoping to go. Tell your congregation about Fairtrade and why your church is supporting it – and invite them to join in and take their own steps for Fairtrade too.
Steps coffee morningAgree to make all your church coffee mornings Fairtrade in 2012! Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolate. Hold debates, talks and quizzes on Fairtrade to raise awareness and get people talking.
27 February – 11 March 2012
• Complete a ‘Take a step’ postcard
from the Fairtrade Foundation
• Ask people in your congregation to
draw around their feet to symbolise
each step – cut them out and
decorate them
• Or make your positive footprint for
Fairtrade in paint
• Register your step at www.fairtrade.org/step
Fairtrade Fortnight is one of the highlights of the year, when thousands of people up and down the UK take action to raise awareness of Fairtrade and help others to understand that a small step change here can make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for you, your church and your entire community to take a step for Fairtrade and we have lots of ideas to help you along the way.
Prayers and reflections
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Go the distance!You and your congregation could get together to set yourselves a target for how many steps for Fairtrade you hope to take in 2012. There are around 2,000 steps in every mile – could your church cover one mile on your journey this year? Or perhaps even two? You could get together with other churches in your area and aim even further! You can collect and record these steps any way you wish:
Perhaps you could make a big footpath showing all your steps and symbolising how your church has progressed on its journey of Fairtrade.
fairtrade ForTnight 2012
step in 2012
take a
Register your step atfairtrade.org.uk/step
Church action guide 2012
First Sunday of Fortnight4 MarchGenesis 17:1-7, 15 -16God promises the seemingly impossible to Abraham
Psalm 22:23- end Praise for the Lord who hears the cry of the poor
Romans 4:13- end Abraham’s faith: ‘Hoping against hope, he believed…’ (v18)
Mark 8:31- end Jesus’ way will challenge established powers
Following Jesus requires tough choices but is the way to life. ‘Faith is trusting in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change,’ writes Jim Wallis (Faith Works – Lessons on Spirituality and Social Action SPCK).Reversal of expectation, commitment, choice and the fact that faith and action go together are themes running through these readings. Following Jesus is costly, yet in God’s curious economy giving is receiving and blessing comes in the most unlikely circumstances.
The Fairtrade story can echo these themes: an alternative trading system which has the potential to help both producer and consumer, challenges the status quo and which has grown dramatically from the seed of an idea, a hope, to become an established, major reality – a growth achieved by individuals believing, making choices and taking action.
Second Sunday of Fortnight11 MarchExodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Psalm 19 or 19:7-end: The law is meant to bless
1 Corinthians 1:18 -25 Christ turns everything upside down. God chooses ordinary people to change the world
John 2:13 -22 Jesus drives out the money changers who desecrate what is holy in exploitative control of the market and pursuit of profit
The commandments would be a source of blessing today if their call to respect life and personhood were taken seriously. Instead, economic dogma is pursued regardless of the consequences to poor people, seen in the forcing of free trade on poor countries as a condition of aid or debt relief. Unfair trade rules rob people of both dignity and livelihood and the earth is exploited and worked to exhaustion. But there is an alternative.
Fairtrade restores dignity and respects both people and the environment; the campaign for trade justice aims to enshrine these principles in new trade rules.
Anger is not often seen as a virtue, but it can signal that something is wrong and act as a spur to corrective action. In God’s upside down kingdom it is ordinary people who are the movers and shakers – our choices and our actions can change the world.
Elizabeth Perry
Lectionary Readings
Product code: CAG5
www.fairtrade.org.ukFairtrade Foundation, 3rd Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DYTel: 020 7405 5942 Fax: 020 7977 0101Registered Charity No. 1043886. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 2733136
Photography credits: Simon Rawles, Zed Nelson
www.fairtrade.org.ukPhotography credits:
You and your church can make a real step change in 2012 by joining the almost 7,000 churches who have already registered as Fairtrade Churches.
On becoming a Fairtrade Church, you will receive a certificate to display, letting your congregation know you have made a commitment to Fairtrade.
The three goals a Fairtrade Church must fulfil are:
• Use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which they have responsibility
• Move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit
• Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible
And if you’ve done that, check whether your denominational area has taken a step for Fairtrade.
•1
•3
•2
Fairtrade denominational areasIn denominational areas like dioceses, churches are getting together to give their Fairtrade campaigns a louder voice and a bigger impact. Join them by working with other churches in your area to meet the following goals:
• To support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for
• Ensure that at least half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a Fairtrade Church
• Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there
• Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website
• Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for ensuring goals continue to be met and developed over time
To apply, simply complete an application form from www.fairtrade.org.uk/faiths and return it to us by email or post.
ARE YOU A FAIRTRADE CHURCH?
A reflection on Acts 16:6 -10A plea for helpIn the depths of night the dream comes – the outstretched hand beckoning; the earnest plea for help. Day breaks but the vision remains. The echo of the words ‘come and help us’ clearly resound. Paul’s response is immediate. The call of God is acknowledged, travelling plans are changed and a new journey lies ahead.
In the media, on our screens, in numerous ways the vision comes – those affected by unjust trade systems; their earnest pleas for help. The echoes of suffering and need clearly resound. How will we respond? Will we dismiss the sight and continue along our chosen path or do as Paul did, recognise God’s call and change direction?
Let us journey together towards social justice; fair trade for all; a better world. Step by step, gathering others along the way… In partnership with God, we can make a difference.
To considerPray for new and creative ways to spread this vision to others so that they may join us on the Fairtrade journey.
Consider your particular circumstances. Are there new steps that you can take this year along the journey towards a better world?
Shopping light Shopping is now a universal obsession. Yet while millions consume their lives away, millions more die daily of poverty and debt. How can we afford this global inequality?
So let’s rewrite our weekly shopping list for the wellbeing of the world:
Let’s start shopping lighter by,shopping light of excess, shopping light of instant demand,shopping light of commercialisation, shopping light of environmental waste,shopping light of non-seasonable produce,shopping light of bargains at other people’s expense.
Let’s start reducing our greed by:reducing poverty,reducing malnutrition,reducing unfit housing,reducing unclean water,reducing unfair trade rules,reducing employment exploitation.
Between the producer and the consumer hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed. Between governments and nationshold the hands of economics and business profits.Yet together we can redistribute our resources and bring together the hands of justice and the heart of life.And that will be money well spent.
Catherine Kyte – Mothers’ Union. Fleur Dorrell – Mothers’ Union.
Fairtrade way!Organise a walk or take a journey linking one Fairtrade Church to another or even one Fairtrade denominational area to another! You could tell stories whilst on your walk to let other people in the community know about Fairtrade and the journey you have taken with some of the poorest farmers and workers in developing countries. You could even dress up for the walk – as bananas, chocolate, coffee beans or the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Showcase your journeyCreate a display in your church showing the journey your church has come on with Fairtrade – where it all started and where you are hoping to go. Tell your congregation about Fairtrade and why your church is supporting it – and invite them to join in and take their own steps for Fairtrade too.
Steps coffee morningAgree to make all your church coffee mornings Fairtrade in 2012! Serve Fairtrade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolate. Hold debates, talks and quizzes on Fairtrade to raise awareness and get people talking.
27 February – 11 March 2012
• Complete a ‘Take a step’ postcard
from the Fairtrade Foundation
• Ask people in your congregation to
draw around their feet to symbolise
each step – cut them out and
decorate them
• Or make your positive footprint for
Fairtrade in paint
• Register your step at www.fairtrade.org/step
Fairtrade Fortnight is one of the highlights of the year, when thousands of people up and down the UK take action to raise awareness of Fairtrade and help others to understand that a small step change here can make a big difference to the lives of farmers and workers around the world.
It is a fantastic opportunity for you, your church and your entire community to take a step for Fairtrade and we have lots of ideas to help you along the way.
Prayers and reflections
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