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Highlights of parish life in Houghton Regis
The Knitting Group at All Saints' and other church members have been making teddies for the Dreamland Mission Hospital in Kenya. As well as the teddies some church members have also made drawstring bags for the teddies to go home in after the child has left hospital. So far we have produced about 15 teddies with more in the making!
The teddies are given to each child following their cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. Our friends from St Mary’s Luton used to go to the hospital twice a year with a cleft team and were able to do about 60 surgeries a year. They trained up the local team and they are now doing double that - and maybe as many as 200 operations each year. When they were going, the children really valued their teddy. When they woke from their operation, the teddy was already on their bed! Find out more about the Knitting Group here.
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On Sunday 3 March 2024 we celebrated the Day of Reflection during the Parish Mass. Since 2021, Marie Curie has organised a Day of Reflection, which has seen communities across the UK come together to reflect on the COVID19 pandemic and remember those who lost their lives to the disease.
The Day was also about showing support for two important groups of people: those who are still affected by the losses they experienced during that time, as well as for the workers, carers, and volunteers who played a vital roles during the critical times of the pandemic. We were very honoured that Dr Joan Bailey, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Councillor Jimmy Carroll, Town Mayor of Houghton Regis, members of the Town Council, and the Town Clerk attended the service. We are very grateful to Houghton Regis Town Council for organising this event with us, and for providing the orders of service and refreshments afterwards. Members of All Saints' Knitting Group have been busy producing many little bonding squares and little colourful hats used by parents, carers, and hospital staff in the care of new-borns, particularly of premature babies.
Bonding squares are small pieces of soft material, knitted or crocheted. These squares can be used to encourage bonding between mums/carers and their babies, through sensory perception. Skin-to-skin contact is the most effective way to bond with a new-born baby. This can usually be done immediately after birth but sometimes this is not possible. In these cases, mums/carers can use bonding squares. Using these squares could also improve mums’ supply of breast milk. Bonding squares have been supplied to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, while the hats will be sent to Dreamland Mission Hospital in Kimilili, near Mount Eldoret on the Kenyan/Ugandan border. Find out more about the Knitting Group here. Today marks the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine war in numbers: 8.1 million refugees fled Ukraine - 5.4 million people were driven from their homes (internally displaced) - 17.6 million people in Ukraine needing humanitarian aid - 8,006 confirmed civilian deaths - Around 9,000 Ukrainian troops killed - Around 200,000 Russian troops killed - Over 65,000 suspected war crimes reported. Figures from The Independent (24 Feb 2023) Can you help? Even small acts of love and compassion can alleviate the sufferings of others. Visit our website to find out about our collection of good and funds for Ukraine. We need: Blankets, Winter Clothes, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Waterproof Gear, Long Life Food, First Aid Essentials, Medicines and Medical Supplies. Funds raised so far have been transferred to the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (Luton). Cash donations should be clearly marked "Ukraine". |
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