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Philippians 4:13
Fife church plants tree to mark its long links with charity Christian Aid
Largo Parish Church – a church whose former minister is widely recognised as being a key figure in Christian Aid’s history – held a weekend of events to mark the start of Christian Aid Week and the international development charity’s 80th anniversary.
There was a successful coffee morning fundraiser at Durham Hall on Saturday. Then on Sunday two special services took place and an apple tree was planted in the orchard and community garden.
The church has links with the charity through a former minister: Reverend Douglas Lister was an army chaplain based in Germany during the Second World War. He urged churches in Scotland to show compassion to their neighbours in Europe who'd been displaced by war - and they did, responding generously. He was minister at Largo Parish Church during the 1970s and 1980s, until his retirement.
80 years later the charity is still working, through local partners, in countries where people have been displaced by war, including South Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. Christian Aid Week, the charity’s annual fundraising week runs until the 17 May.
At the morning service on Sunday Temwa Kasakula, Christian Aid’s global health advisor, was guest speaker and spoke about Christian Aid’s work in Malawi. She then helped plant an apple tree, described as a ‘Tree of Hope’, in the orchard and community garden beside the church.
During the evening service the Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Christian Aid’s UK and Global Church Ambassador and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, was the guest preacher.
Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, locum minister at Largo Parish Church said:
“The weekend events went very well and I’d like to thank everyone who came along to either the coffee morning or services.
This is a special year for Christian Aid and given our historic links with the charity, we felt it was important to mark the occasion. The church is proud to have a connection, through Reverend Douglas Lister, with the foundations of a charity which continues to work towards an end to extreme poverty and global injustice.”
Russell added, “And the sun was shining on Saturday as Temwa and I planted an apple tree, a permanent reminder of our support for an organisation which has roots here in Scotland.”
Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland said:
“We’re delighted that Christian Aid supporters at Largo Parish Church held such a successful weekend of events, marking their links with Christian Aid and continued support of our work. It’s important in this milestone year to reflect on what has been achieved, thanking those who’ve been giving, acting and praying with us along the way and recognising the challenges ahead. We live in a world where our work feels as important as ever, as climate change, conflict and debt injustice keep people in poverty.”
More information about Christian Aid Week, which runs until Saturday (17th) can be found at caid.org.uk/scotland
Christian Aid Week (which runs from 11-17 May 2025) this year is focused on Guatemala, one of the countries where Christian Aid works. Through local partners Indigenous communities impacted by climate change are receiving training in new farming skills.
For more information contact Jo Dallas, Christian Aid Scotland media officer
[email protected]
Churches to host events for Christian Aid Week as charity marks 80 years | The Church of Scotland
Largo Parish Church – a church whose former minister is widely recognised as being a key figure in Christian Aid’s history – held a weekend of events to mark the start of Christian Aid Week and the international development charity’s 80th anniversary.
There was a successful coffee morning fundraiser at Durham Hall on Saturday. Then on Sunday two special services took place and an apple tree was planted in the orchard and community garden.
The church has links with the charity through a former minister: Reverend Douglas Lister was an army chaplain based in Germany during the Second World War. He urged churches in Scotland to show compassion to their neighbours in Europe who'd been displaced by war - and they did, responding generously. He was minister at Largo Parish Church during the 1970s and 1980s, until his retirement.
80 years later the charity is still working, through local partners, in countries where people have been displaced by war, including South Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. Christian Aid Week, the charity’s annual fundraising week runs until the 17 May.
At the morning service on Sunday Temwa Kasakula, Christian Aid’s global health advisor, was guest speaker and spoke about Christian Aid’s work in Malawi. She then helped plant an apple tree, described as a ‘Tree of Hope’, in the orchard and community garden beside the church.
During the evening service the Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Christian Aid’s UK and Global Church Ambassador and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, was the guest preacher.
Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, locum minister at Largo Parish Church said:
“The weekend events went very well and I’d like to thank everyone who came along to either the coffee morning or services.
This is a special year for Christian Aid and given our historic links with the charity, we felt it was important to mark the occasion. The church is proud to have a connection, through Reverend Douglas Lister, with the foundations of a charity which continues to work towards an end to extreme poverty and global injustice.”
Russell added, “And the sun was shining on Saturday as Temwa and I planted an apple tree, a permanent reminder of our support for an organisation which has roots here in Scotland.”
Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland said:
“We’re delighted that Christian Aid supporters at Largo Parish Church held such a successful weekend of events, marking their links with Christian Aid and continued support of our work. It’s important in this milestone year to reflect on what has been achieved, thanking those who’ve been giving, acting and praying with us along the way and recognising the challenges ahead. We live in a world where our work feels as important as ever, as climate change, conflict and debt injustice keep people in poverty.”
More information about Christian Aid Week, which runs until Saturday (17th) can be found at caid.org.uk/scotland
Christian Aid Week (which runs from 11-17 May 2025) this year is focused on Guatemala, one of the countries where Christian Aid works. Through local partners Indigenous communities impacted by climate change are receiving training in new farming skills.
For more information contact Jo Dallas, Christian Aid Scotland media officer
[email protected]
Churches to host events for Christian Aid Week as charity marks 80 years | The Church of Scotland
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Christian Aid is a key member of ACT Alliance. Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no. SC039150 Company no. 5171525 Christian Aid Ireland: NI charity no. NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 and ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid June 2022 J121236
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Largo Parish Church of Scotland - SC003465
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