CCOW often receives requests from organisations with whom we work to post volunteer opportunities with those organisations. 

This new forum thread offers a place where you can find out about opportunities our partners are offering. We'll add new requests as they come in; you can then get in touch directly with the organisations in question to find out more. 

The following text is a statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jersualem concerning Gaza (issued on 30 December 2008).  It is reproduced here for information and possible comment. 

We, the Patriarchs, Bishops and the Heads of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, follow with deep concern, regret, and shock the war currently raging in the Gaza Strip and the subsequent destruction, murder and bloodshed, especially at a time when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the King of love and peace. As we express our deep sorrow at the renewed cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and the continued absence of peace in our Holy Land, we denounce the ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip and all forms of violence and killings from all parties. We believe that the continuation of this bloodshed and violence will not lead to peace and justice but breed more hatred and hostility - and thus continued confrontation between the two peoples.

Accordingly, we call upon all officials of both parties to the conflict to return to their senses and refrain from all violent acts, which only bring destruction and tragedy, and urge them instead to work to resolve their differences through peaceful and non-violent means. We also call upon the international community to fulfil its responsibilities and intervene immediately and actively stop the bloodshed and end all forms of confrontation; to work hard and strong to put an end to the current confrontation and remove the causes of conflict between the two peoples; and to finally resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just and comprehensive solution based on international resolutions.

To the various Palestinian factions we say: It is time to end your division and settle your differences. We call on all factions at this particular time to put the interests of the Palestinian people above personal and factional interests and to move immediately toward national comprehensive reconciliation and use all non-violent means to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

I've just read a new book by Walter Brueggeman, Prayers for a Privileged People, a collection of prayer cum meditations of thanksgiving, petition, lament and rejoicing, with a strong focus on justice and peace. Also worth a look is Richard Carter's discussion of what the vow of poverty means in the context of a developing country religious order -- it offers valuable thoughts on simplicity, generosity, and God's call.

Was it a friend? Something you read? A photo? A verse from Scripture? What was the thing that made you decide this was important for you as a Christian?

I was wondering if anybody has any tips or ideas for encouraging people to think about Fairtade without sounding too 'preachy'? I try to buy as many Fairtrade birthday/Christmas presents as I can for example, as it makes people ask where I got them etc. If I get invited for dinner I take Fairtrade wine if I can.

What does everybody else do? How much responsibility do you feel for encouraging others to change their consumer habits?

Is it stale preconceptions about the taste of Fairtrade coffee? The problem of working out who buys the supplies? What are the things that hamper churches from taking steps to "go Fairtrade"?