Church and Society Commission
‘Practical Action on the Cost of Living’ – New booklet produced to share local responses
The Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission has published a short booklet with suggestions for how parishes, and other ministries and similar organisations in their local communities, can help to serve people in need at this time.
Practical Action on the Cost of Living summarises a discussion held last Wednesday morning (5th October 2022), when representatives from Church of Ireland dioceses around the island shared stories about how their parishes are proactively responding as the cost of living crisis continues (e.g. through recycling surplus clothing, greater support for food banks, making and sharing meals together, and opening up church property as warm spaces). Several examples were put forward about what more can be done over the coming months, along with ideas for the best overall approaches for responding locally.
Archbishop Michael Jackson, Chair of the Church and Society Commission, who organised the meeting, remarks: “The escalation in the cost of living affects everyone. It affects those on modest incomes, on pensions, and those with no money at all most acutely and most immediately. The time of crisis is now. The booklet in a small but heartfelt way seeks to provide some pointers about how help is being made available through local ministries, and where a range of people is ready to come to your assistance. Please avail of what is there. It is there for you as much as it is there for anyone else. Please also ask for any help you need from others if and when you seek support.”
To find out more about our response, please visit www.ireland.anglican.org/cost–of–living