Document Library

Food and the Family (Christmas 2002)

This newsletter is one of startling contrasts. In some Western societies, obesity and ill health are the problems, while in many developing areas of the Anglican Communion the articles highlight malnutrition and starvation. But the picture is not simple and articles from UK tell of anorexia, a form of self starvation and its effect on family members. Other articles look at the effect of globalisation and practical ways forward such as the Fairtrade movement which works to ensure that food producers in the Two Thirds world are adequately paid for their produce.

The Burden of Care (Michaelmas 2002)

tells of parents coping with a disabled child, of children coping with disabled siblings and of how many find joy in caring and manage to care for numerous additional family members orphaned through AIDS. In countries such as Papua New Guinea and parts of Africa, the extended family and local community frequently help. But even here, the culture of such support is being weakened and the Church, as an intergenerational community with a mandate to care, needs to encourage the work already being done by organisations such as The Mothers' Union, the Salvation Army and many others, and increase its support for those whose burden is too heavy.

Women and the Family (Trinity 2002)

Many African mothers are desperate to get funds to help them educate their daughters and enable them to escape the cycle of poverty, early pregnancy, single parenthood and more poverty. Research shows that educating women and girls is the single most effective strategy for reducing poverty. Several articles in this newsletter show that women in many parts of the world are now the breadwinner for their families. For some, this can develop their opportunities and this newsletter also celebrates the strength of women, working to bring peace in the Sudan, more social cohesion in S. India, learning new skills in the Lebanon. But the extension of "women's work" can also be an added burden - particularly if there is little partner

Family Breakdown (Christmas 2001)

The articles in this newsletter tell of increased marriage and relationship breakdown, more children on the streets, more despair fuelling alcohol and drug abuse. But the picture is not all bleak. A Canadian author points out that a marriage breakdown may, in some cases, represent a new start, free from hidden violence and abuse. Many articles tell of vigorous efforts, from all over the Anglican Communion, to help the casualties of family breakdown, both parents and children and the potential of churches and parishes to provide a supportive "family."

Children and War (Michaelmas 2001)

In 2001, a UN Report concluded that in as many as 50 countries children are suffering in the middle of armed conflict. Increasingly in some areas children are specifically targeted, recruited as combatants or abducted to serve as sexual slaves to soldiers. Articles from Burundi, Sierra Leone, Congo, Rwanda, the Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania, give glimpses of the horror. Not only Africa is affected: authors from Iraq, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Cambodia, Palestine, Israel and Northern Ireland write of the violence perpetrated against children and tell of the ministry of the Church to these casualties of war. 

Education and the Family (Trinity 2001)

tells of the "treasure of education" which is lost through war, poverty, family breakdown or - in parts of the world - is denied to girls and women. The articles give voice to those for whom education is not provided by the state free of charge and shows how the gender gap has a high cost with an increased mortality rate among babies born to ill-educated women. In the developed world, articles from Australia and New Zealand and UK emphasise the importance of value-based education and the need to support and strengthen families.

Faith in the Family (Christmas 2000)

outlines changes in society which affect families and their faith. Now the transmission and nurturing of faith is not "fashionable"; it has to be worked for in a range of ways by parents, by church evangelism, by modern communications, by fathers as well as mothers. There is Good News in the newsletter. Some articles, eg from Paraguay and Australia, tell of difficulties leading to deeper faith and commitment.

Prison and Families (Michaelmas 2000)

The families of prisoners have been described as invisible, the forgotten victims. Partners and children, parents and relatives are often stigmatised and placed in situations of great hardship through no fault of their own. Articles in the newsletter tell how churches and church organisations in USA, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Pakistan and many other countries have set up projects to help both prisoners and their families.

Fathers and Families (Easter 2000)

Throughout the Anglican Communion, there is evidence of the dislocation of rapid change, often in part brought about by economic forces which undermine the role of men for example as "breadwinner" of the family. Many of the articles tell of the difficulties of fathers, particularly the young men who have had little education or job opportunities. At the same time, research from many countries shows the importance of fathers in the upbringing and nurture of children.