Dialogue and Unity Mission in the Economy (MitE) – reaching out in the region

Ultan Russell, Archdiocesan Ecumenical Officer

The Pantry will serve and support the people of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens which has a long tradition of interchurch collaboration with the Churches engaged in vibrant partnerships with other voluntary sector bodies.

The Pantry is a franchise of the Your Local Pantry model and operates as an affordable food club where members pay a weekly membership fee in return for choosing a set amount of available food that typically will be worth three to four times the membership fee, and here is the best bit – anyone can join. We forget the number of people in work who, with escalating fuel and food costs and massive rises in mortgage repayments, use food banks and food pantries.

Still focusing on MitE’s work outside the city; in Warrington people remember after six years the pastoral care that MitE offered to the bereaved at the time of the Hillsborough Enquiry. MitE also has a vibrant chaplaincy ministry in the borough in the town centre and at Birchwood.

Mission in the Economy is a vibrant and well-established ecumenical organisation offering broad-based chaplaincy services in the Liverpool City Region and beyond. The archdiocese is represented on the Board of Trustees by Janet Keefe (a parish administrator at St Mary’s, Woolton) and Ray Pealing (Provincial Grand Knight of the Knights of St Columba).

There is often a tendency for ‘Liverpool’ in the title of both our Archdiocese, the Anglican Diocese, and the Methodist District for activities to focus on Liverpool –here MitE reverses the situation with strong outreach work in St Helens and Warrington.

The team of St Helens chaplains work with shoppers, traders and businesses alike, and will always try to make time for a chat and a cup of tea with people who want to take some time out of their busy day to talk. In St Mary’s Market there is a prayer stall which is available all the time for people of all faiths, and none. It is a small and valued oasis in the desert of everyday life. There are three chaplains’ operating in St Helens, they are never too busy to stop, share a story and a brew - keep an eye out for them in town. In addition, through the lunches hosted by the Bishop of Warrington senior representatives of statutory, commercial, and voluntary organisations gather for fruitful networking opportunities.

MitE chaplains like parish clergy are fully aware of the monetary crisis that is affecting so many people and they have been a key partner in St Helens with a very imaginative project funded by the Government’s Faith New Deal programme. St Helens Mobile Community Pantry bridges the gaps between community food provisions across St Helens. A joint faith and voluntary group initiative working alongside members of the St Helens Borough Community Food Providers Alliance, this two-year dream is now a reality and is accessible for those who need it.

Janet Keefe is the lead trustee on the work in Warrington and St Helens and spoke enthusiastically about the work there.

‘MitE is always on the lookout for new volunteers. We’re looking for committed Christians, lay or ordained, who enjoy a challenge, are good listeners, and able to engage with people from all walks of life.’

If this sounds like you and you’re interested in supporting people in their place of work, MitE would love to hear from you. They offer a six-week trial for new volunteers so that you can get a feel for the role before committing to anything long-term. All their new volunteers receive training in the basics of workplace chaplaincy, things you may come across as a chaplain, and basic mental health awareness. Further information is available at www.mite.org.uk