CUF news

Tim appeared on Andy Walton's breakfast show, discussing the news and talking about Church Urban Fund.

Listen to excepts from the show or go to Andy Walton's page on the Premier website for more information.

Church should back new tax to fight poverty.

Church Urban Fund is calling on the Church to join them in their support for a tax on the banking sector that would raise billions to tackle poverty and climate change at home and abroad, as part of the Robin Hood Tax coalition.

The launch of the coalition comes in the wake of the US$1 trillion bailout of the UK banking sector which has created a huge budget deficit, jeopardising the government’s ability to uphold its commitment to fight poverty, protect public services and tackle climate change.

Read Church Urban Fund's full press release online.

Are you involved in community development?

Church Urban Fund is holding its national conference, ‘Practical Impact’, on 27 April from 10-4pm at the Carrs Lane Conference Centre, Birmingham, B4 7SX.

The conference is aimed at church leaders, community workers and volunteers involved in tackling poverty in their local area. The conference will provide the practical tools for the issues that arise in this area of work. There will be opportunity to network and to pick up additional resources.

There will be some encouraging words from keynote speakers including Joel Edwards (Micah Challenge), Eugenie Harvey (Change the World for a Fiver) and Richard Sudworth (Distinctly Welcoming) and workshops including distinctiveness, youth work, partnership working, team working, fundraising and enterprise.

For more details and booking, go to www.cuf.org.uk/events or contact Daniel Chapman by e-mail at daniel.chapman@cuf.org.uk or by phone on 0207 898 1652.

The cost for the day including lunch is £10 and travel bursaries are available. The conference is sponsored by Anthony Collins Solicitors and the Office of the Third Sector.

Coventry diocese pledge to raise £25,000 for Church Urban Fund in 2010.

Coventry diocese has agreed to continue supporting Church Urban Fund for another year. The appeal, endorsed by the Bishops and senior staff raised £20,000 in 2009 and the diocese is pledging to increase on this amount and raise £25,000 in 2010.

The Church Urban Fund supports churches and individuals working to bring about change in their local communities, by providing financial and practical support. This is made possible because of the love shown to the most disadvantaged by passionate individuals who want to see things change. These transformations are being encouraged in the diocese, with over £17,000 awarded to support the work of community projects across Coventry and Warwickshire in 2009.

A special service of thanksgiving and commitment is being held in the presence of the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd. Christopher Cocksworth, and the Bishop of Warwick, the Rt Revd. John Stroyan on Thursday 28th January, 2010. The service is taking place at the church of St John the Divine, Willenhall, Coventry at 7.30pm.

Church Urban Fund’s CEO Tim Bissett and representatives from three local projects supported by CUF will contribute to the service, which is expected to last an hour. Refreshments will be available after the service and a retiring collection will be taken in support of the appeal and Church Urban Fund’s work.