Stirring the pot for children and families

Come and get a free bowl of porridge to help support local children and families in need.

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace Team  will have a stand under at St John's Church, Edinburgh (corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) on Friday 25th January 2013, handing out porridge to anyone who cares to stop and have a chat. We will be there from 8am to 12pm or whenever the porridge runs out.

Following the success of our last porridge stall we have chosen to support the local charity Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG).

One in four of Scotland’s children are officially recognised as living in poverty. In some areas over one in three children grow up in poverty. With Scotland’s undoubted wealth CPAG believes this is a scandal. There is no reason why our child poverty rates should be so much higher than in many other European countries.

Poverty remains one of the most serious problems facing children today. Its effects last a lifetime, negatively impacting on health, education, social and physical development and seriously harming future life chances and opportunities.

CPAG in Scotland was established in 1999 and works to raise awareness of the devastating impact poverty has on children in Scotland, maximise families’ incomes by helping to ensure those eligible for benefits and tax credits receive their full entitlements and campaign for positive policy changes to end that poverty.

You can sign up to let us know you're coming at Eventbrite.

For more information contact Annika Wolf at: info@festivalofspirituality.org.uk

Getting into the charitable spirit

THE Festival of Spirituality and Peace and the Edinburgh Interfaith Association are showcasing ten different charities based in and around Scotland's capital this weekend.

The event will take place on Saturday 12 January 2013 in the hall at St John’s Episcopal Church, which is on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road.

Doors open from 1pm through to 5.30pm, giving a chance to faith-based and non-faith related local charities to present themselves and their causes, for people to engage with them, and to learn more about their projects and fields of action.

"If you live in or near Edinburgh, then this coming weekend's Volunteer Charity Fair provides an ideal opportunity to look at the difference you can help make this year," says Annika Wolf from the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, which is extending its activities beyond August each year to spread the spirit of goodwill throughout the year.

The Festival says it is "delighted" to welcome representatives of Edinburgh Cyrenians, L’Arche Edinburgh, the Together-We-Can-Stop-It-Project, Christian Aid, Feed Glasgow, Waverley Care, the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, and Streetwork, among others, to this gathering.

"We will begin with an introduction to all the participating organisations, followed by a tea and coffee break, and further opportunities to talk to all representatives throughout the afternoon at their individual stalls," explains Ms Wolf.

* Others wishing to take part or to find out more can contact Annika Wolf at info@festivalofspirituality.org.uk

Festival team 'porridge sale' to tackle homelessness

THE team behind the annual Festival of Spirituality and Peace in Edinburgh are organising a 'Street Porridge Sale' on 12 December 2012 in support of Streetwork, a hands-on group struggling against homelessness, its causes and consequences.

They will be handing out bowls of porridge to passers-by on the terrace outside St John’s Church, at the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road, between 8am and 1pm on Wednesday. Donations for Streetwork will be very welcome.

As well as enjoying some hearty porridge on a cold day, this will be chance for people to learn more about Streetwork’s projects and to contribute to their work. Winter is the time when homeless people are most at need and risk.

Streetwork, whose activities are supported by the Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council, among others, works 24 hours, seven days a week with people in housing crisis or who are sleeping rough. It is able to advise, support and refer people for assistance, with the aim of enabling them to find a life off the streets.

“Events like the Street Porridge Sale are so important for raising awareness and support for the vital work that Streetwork does in Edinburgh,” said Jackie Brown, the charity’s Fundraising Manager.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to join the Festival of Spirituality and Peace at St John’s Church on 12th December, to chat to people, and to tell them more about how we help the most vulnerable people on the streets of the city,” Ms Brown added.

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace, founded in 2001, is one of Edinburgh's most exciting and diverse Festivals. It features over 400 activities across 21 venues each year in August. It involves top-quality speakers, conversations, performances, film, food, exhibitions, family activities, workshops, art, culture and more.

The Festival’s sponsors and team are also looking to extend their work beyond the traditional Edinburgh festival season, and are delighted to be able to support a truly worthwhile cause like Streetwork through the Street Porridge Sale on Wednesday 12 December.

For more information about this event, contact Annika Wolf, St John’s Church, Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ. Email: info@festivalofspirituality.org.uk Phone: 0131 2284249

Singing for peace and justice

COME along tomorrow morning to sing songs of peace and social justice led by Penny Stone, peace activist from the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre.

The Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre has worked for over three decades to create a vision of peace through nonviolence, human rights and environmental responsibility. Help them further their cause through song!

Everyone is welcome as everyone can sing - no previous singing experience necessary!

Monday 6 August, 10am-12pm, in the Hall at St John's (Venue 127). By donation.

Eczema Outreach Scotland workshop

GOT some time this morning?  Come along to the Eczema Outreach Scotland workshop at St John's Church at the crossroads of Princes Street and Lothian Road. It takes place at 11am in the Hall. 

At this event, Eczema Outreach Scotland are showcasing their unique work with children with eczema and their families. Get involved in their Arts and Crafts workshop, learn about their free activities and, most importantly, share your ideas with our friendly team.

This is a great opportunity to know more about this young organisation, have some fun and help shape its ambitious plans.

Come to the Festival, help people in need

THROUGHOUT August, the Festival of Spirituality & Peace will be supporting the Blood Foundation in Thailand, the St Paul's Centre in Uganda.

This is how it works: a variety of surcharges and donations will contribute directly to these fine causes, and our own Volunteer Programme. It's as simple as that.

So come to as many events as you can and if you can only come to one or two events then buy a ticket for a family member, a friend or even a stranger. Every ticket you purchase also helps a person in great need.