Caring in Stowmarket, Suffolk

Since October 2017 Stowmarket Parish Church has been asking their congregation, local groups and visitors to the Stowmarket Christmas tree festival, one simple question – ‘What hurts you the most? Having spoken with over 1,500 people, they received over 500 anonymous response cards which have been analysed to understand what is affecting people in the town. The top issues identified  were: Family and Relationship Problems, Injustice, Physical Suffering and Negative Emotions. Death and Loneliness also featured as key issues particularly in responses received the week immediately before Christmas. A dedicated WHO CARES? working group within the Parish Church is now looking at what can be done to offer help and hope to people affected by these issues. We’re holding a series of drop in chat sessions

Rev Michael Eden, St Peters & St Mary’s Church, Stowmarket