A Farm for the Future

Welcome to Fair Doers!

We face great challenges over issues such as global justice (in trade, politics etc), climate change and our use of resources. These can seem daunting and confusing, and it may seem beyond us to make any real difference. But actually there’s a great deal we can do, and it’s not too hard, especially if we work together to help and encourage each other. And Christians should be taking a lead in these things!

So, ‘Fair Doers’ is a new group starting in West Oxfordshire:
* For all who want to be more effective in loving God and our neighbour, in a practical way...
* ...or anyone who has a nagging feeling
they should be more aware, informed, or involved in these...
* Working together for
- Balanced awareness and understanding of key issues
- Mutual encouragement, inspiration, and motivation
- Critical mass to achieve things we can’t do alone
* Accessible and non-intimidating, even for the least experienced or active
* Focused on practical applications and achievable steps
* Informal and fun!
* Supported by web resources, including (we hope) an online group forum, events calendar, and help links
* Affiliated to Christian Concern for One World, (http://www.ccow.org.uk/) an established charity helping Christians in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
to pray and act on global issues.

We are trying to connect with all who may want to be involved, so if interested please email marcus.Simmons@talk21.com or phone 07803 753684.

This programme is well worth watching; it gives an easily understood but informative introduction to the challenges of UK food production in the face of 'carbon rationing' and 'peak oil' - useful for anyone wanting to know more about these topics, including Permaculture and how it could form part of the answer. Originally presented on BBC, it now appears on YouTube:

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xShCEKL-mQ8

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0X25hMLXiE&feature=related

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJQhRIKo5rA&feature=related

Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxsPfeSRIFo&feature=related

Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Ez5ViYKYA&feature=related

For editors which can join the 5 parts, see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=707223

Fair Doers Principles

Practical - ultimately focused on action; taking the next step for us

Prioritised – tackle the biggest things first

Relational – cultivate interacting personally and collaborating

Basic – The Bible is the foundation and framework for our priorities, thinking and practice. But try not to pre-judge or come with ideologies as we let it teach us.

Encouraging –encourage, inspire and provoke each other

Respecting, Accepting – People have different experiences and viewpoints. To enjoy and learn from this diversity can be a strength

Non-intimidating - don’t judge or demand from others. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and may progress at their own pace, in their own way

Fairly challenging – to provoke and stretch, but not burden or traumatise us

Fun –must be stimulating and enjoyable, or something is wrong..

We can’t tackle everything, but we can do something..

What's On

Witney

Mon 6 April - 6 Spring Close OX28 4AN, 7:00 - 9:30
Using our domestic budgets to 'invest ethically'.

Chipping Norton

Thu 19 March - 41 Lord's Piece Road OX7 5HT, 7:30-9:30
Low Carbon home conversions - using the Colemans' as a case study!

General

Put People First: March for Jobs, Justice and Climate

From 12:00pm Saturday 28th Mar 2009 until 16:30pm Saturday 28th Mar 2009

March and rally in London asking for decent jobs and public services for all, an end to global poverty and inequality, and the creation of a new green economy. More info at www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk

Sindyanna of Galilee – breakfast talk by a palestinian fairtrade cooperative

Saturday April 4th at Burwell Hall Thorney Leys Witney OX285NT, 8:30 for 9:00 talk

Sindyanna markets agricultural products, mainly olive oil, from Arab farmers in Israel and the West Bank . A guiding aim is to give women an equal chance, and to advance the economic situation of Arab women in Israel. Sindyanna relies on co-operation between Arabs and Jews, based on the mutual belief in equality, and in the right of the Palestinians to self-determination. There will be samples to try and a simple Fairtrade breakfast will be served – suggested donation £4 towards costs. If coming, please inform Wendy at wmadd2002@yahoo.co.uk or 01993 881364. More info at www.sindyanna.com and www.jobird.net (click on Sindyanna).

Fair Doers - West Oxon

Welcome to Fair Doers!

Monday, March 16, 2009