28/01/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Christian Aid is responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. It has launched an emergency appeal and is working with its partner organizations to deliver aid.  There has been overwhelming devastation across the country. At the time of writing the death toll is estimated to be up to 200,000 people.
The aid agencies are working hard to reach thousands of children and families in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies. They have been caring for injured survivors and have delivered medical supplies to hospitals and health centres. They are distributing planeloads of temporary shelter, blankets, water containers, Rotary Shelter Boxes, cooking and hygiene kits to thousands of people in Port-au-Prince. They are also going to be involved in supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of 120,000 people in Haiti’s capital over the next few months.
Despite logistical difficulties aid is getting into Haiti.  However, the scale of the destruction remains a huge challenge to relief efforts. Christian Aid relies on the generous support of individuals like us to help reach the thousands of children and families in desperate need. Last Sunday our congregation gave over £400. Please join us in helping the earthquake survivors and leave your donation in the Christian Aid Pot at the church entrance.
If you have already given, thank you - please know that your donation will allow Christian Aid to help the earthquake victims of Haiti and enable them to rebuild their lives.

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18/01/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake and continuing aftershocks have struck southern Haiti, causing mass casualties and many hundreds of suspected deaths.  Early reports indicate that a hospital, the presidential palace and several other buildings have collapsed. The Christian Aid office building collapsed and three people, including Christian Aid staff, had to be rescued from the rubble. They are shaken but safe.

Extreme poverty in Haiti worsens crisis
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. An earthquake of this magnitude is of major concern, but it is especially devastating in Haiti, where 85 per cent of the population struggles to survive on little more than £1 per day. Around half of the country’s population are children in need of immediate help. Fears are growing for thousands of people who survived the earthquake that flattened most of Port-au-prince, the Haitian capital, but are now without food, clean water and proper medical care.

Christian Aid has released £100,000 for immediate emergency relief and has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti. Please give what you can either locally through your church or at www.christianaid.org.uk

A prayer for Haiti
Loving God of creation, at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti. When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved, honoured and precious in your sight.
We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives, peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear.
We ask this in the name of Jesus  in whom all life and grace is found.   Amen.

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26/11/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

Members of Markinch Parish Church are hosting a Help for Heroes Coffee Morning. The charity supports armed forces personnel recovering from their wounds by providing funding for key services such as Army Recovery Centres. This event will be held the church hall on Saturday 28th November from 10.ooam - 12.00 noon.  Further information from Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752. Tickets, priced £1.50 are available at the door.

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17/05/2008 by Ken Wilkie.

The Kirk Session have taken the decision to assist with the building of a new Church in Malawi. The opportunity arose through Levi Nyondo the minister of St Andrews Mzuzu (a town centre church with various outlying rural prayer houses). He was the host for the St Kenneth’s team from Kennoway that went to Malawi.
He advised about the work of his local parish evangelism team in an area about 15 miles from the main town. “More than 66 people accepted Jesus Christ. We have now planted a new church to be called Kaning’ina Church. They do not have any shelter but they are freely worshipping their God.”
This new group of Christians need a place to worship. The cost of providing that is relatively small by Scottish standards but fairly prohibitive in a subsistence farming area with little cash.
As a result there was an opportunity here for our congregation to undertake a one-off project of providing a basic building for a new church in Malawi. (Often such buildings double up as school rooms at the same time.) From past experience the cost of corrugated iron roofing and timbers is usually about £1200, and the bricks are made and the construction done by the local congregation.
St Kenneth’s will help by making the local connections, providing a route for the transfer of funds with no bank charges, and getting our local contacts in the area to give details when the work is complete.
Funds will be raised by holding specific fund raising events during the year. Please watch out for these. Our target is £1200!  We may explore a partnership arrangement with the church at a later stage but no decision has been reached in this regard.
We are still committed to Zerihun, the child sponsored through the Sunday School. Please see the Session Clerk if you would like to assist with any fund raising or donations for this exciting project.

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