An important part of Christian witness is giving to others. The Charities and Links Committee recommends to the PCC the allocation of our giving to local, national and international charities. Our total giving each year is at least one tenth of our income, with half going to good causes in the UK and half overseas. The committee also considers any special needs, such as disaster appeals. See the charities we support

Special collections are also taken during the year for various charities or emergency appeals, either as part of a fund raising event or simply a plate collection during church services. Food items and basic toiletries are often collected at Harvest for a local charity. Many other non-monetary collections have been taken over the years, most recently children’s clothing for our link parish in Pemba, Mozambique.

Many parishioners join the nationwide fundraising efforts during Christian Aid Week in May, which means delivering and collecting envelopes across the parish. Some years a special event such as a concert or a Quiz Night is held to boost the total amount, which is typically about £4000.

Giving is not just about money. It is also about sharing our lives and growing in understanding and friendship, which is where Links come in.

St. James has a long-standing link with St Luke’s Mission Hospital in Milo, South West Tanzania. We receive valuable information from letter correspondence with clinical officer Benaiah Kilwale, from the mission agency USPG and from Revd Christopher Wagstaff who visits Milo every few years.

St James also takes an active interest in ALMA, the partnership the Diocese of London has with Angola and Mozambique. As well as supporting the general aims of ALMA and its Lent Appeals, St. James is linked with the parish of Santa Maria Madelena in Pemba, right up on the north-east coast of Mozambique. We share this link with St. Peter and St. Paul in Teddington and benefit greatly from joint discussion and action.