In the space of the 4 hours when our Foodbank was open both at Six Ways and at George Road Baptist Church, a total of 87 adults and 26 children were provided for.
A recent survey has ranked Birmingham as being seen as the least safe (outside London) and the least welcoming city to live in.
For weeks our city streets have been overflowing with rubbish as a result of the dispute between the City Council and refuse collection workers.
Birmingham City Council, with its funding from central government reduced year after year, is desperately short of money and having to sell assets and cut services.
It can feel a bit grim sometimes can’t it?
More than ever, our city needs us. More than ever, Erdington needs us. The need is great and can sometimes feel overwhelming but we should not feel disheartened. Even if we can make what seems, to us, like a little bit of difference it can make a big difference to others and is always better than doing nothing. And we do not act alone, whether through helping/giving/praying for our Foodbank, our Place of Welcome, the Winter Shelter, CAMEO, ESOL, Girls’ Brigade and more besides. With God we can make such a difference. Remember what the Lord says to Paul to reassure him that he should still speak out in Corinth:
“Do not be afraid…I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9).
Our city needs us to speak out and to act, in Jesus’ name, to change lives!
Yours, lovingly, in Christ Jesus.
Gerard