"Stars in your multitudes scarce to be counted filling the darkness with order and light." These are words from the Musical 'Les Miserables.' Even if you are not familiar with the song, the words alone are emotive enough to stir the soul of anyone who has gazed up at the stars in the heavens in awe and wonder.

“What came into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it” We are in that season of the year when lights and stars in the heavens play a big part in the lives of many.

For shepherds and wise men bright lights in the sky signalled the coming of a saviour. Two thousand years later we still look to the Creator of the heavens for inspiration. Stars are the inspiration and theme for us at St Andrew’s this Advent and Christmas.

We are inspired by and give thanks for the stars who run and support our three charities for 2024: Kidz Klub in Leeds; URC Commitment for Life; and The Sylvia Wright Trust. May stars guide you to witness the awesome wonder of God on earth this Christmas.

Kidz Klub Leeds

https://www.kidzklubleeds.org.uk/

We believe that children are the community changers and nation shakers. Our job is to help them shine. Kidz Klub is about lasting transformation through the love of God for the most vulnerable children, their families and communities in Leeds

Home Visiting Programme: This is the backbone of Kidz Klub.

Central Kidz Klub: 7 double decker buses pick up 350 to 400 children from 22 inner city localities

Hub Klubs: These are currently running in Beeston, Holbeck, Bramley and Middleton. They are our opportunity to get to know the children better.

Family Support Work: After working on the ground for 25 years, we find ourselves in a position of trust and many children and families will share with us when times are tough for them.

Schools: Kidz Klub run assemblies for schools across the city.

Playstreets: Bringing Kidz Klub to children's doorsteps we are supporting by Leeds City council to enable parents to work alongside us, and close their road for good, old fashioned play.

Young Leaders Programme - a dedicated leadership programme for the Kidz Klub children who are too old for Kidz Klub but who want to volunteer for us. This helps them to be role models in faith to the children and develop their leadership skills for the workplace.

The Sylvia Wright Trust

www.sylviawright.org

The Trust is a registered charity which supports children with disabilities and the education of student nurses in a remote and rural part of Tamil Nadu state in India. Founded in 1982 by a nurse from Leeds today, there are three projects in the state of Tamil Nadu: a residential school for 200 children who have hearing impairments; a day centre for 80 children with disabilities and a nursing college for 120 students. The projects supported by the Sylvia Wright Trust have improved the lives of thousands of people and continue to help improve lives in Tamil Nadu.

Sylvia Wright retired in January 2022 after 40 Years and is now back home in Headingley. A gradual shift to being Indian-led and Indian funded is progressing and is hoped to be complete by the end of 2027.

The school is beginning to focus on employability and not just academics, whilst the day centre workshop has started up with 20 older children getting trained in weaving and other crafts producing saleable products. The nursing college is getting close to its maximum number of students all progressing with the nursing degree course.

Commitment for Life

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/

https://urc.org.uk/your-church/church-local-and-global/commitment-for-life/

Commitment for Life is the United Reformed Church’s global justice programme working in partnership with Christian Aid. The money raised by Commitment for Life will support work in Israel and Palestine, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. In Israel and Palestine the contribution will be to help Christian Aid respond to the devastating and heart-breaking conflict in the Middle East. Christian Aid has been involved in the region since the early 1950s and all their work seeks to build the foundations for a just, lasting peace for all

The programme also supports work in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. In Bangladesh the focus is to help with the establishment of rights for marginalised communities to access land, water, forests, and basic government services, and want to see local and national institutions be more accountable in their decision making. In Zimbabwe, its vision is for resilient, thriving, and peaceful communities that have a voice and are empowered to find their own ways out of poverty.