As energy costs increase, churches will welcome visitors this winter

Because of the rising cost of electricity, churches want to provide a warm welcome to the community this winter.

All around the United Kingdom, Christians are being urged to welcome those in need during this season of harsh weather.

As a result of rising costs for both food and energy, many families are concerned about making it through the winter without having to choose between keeping warm and eating.

Citizens’ Advice predicted last month that one in four households would be unable to pay their new energy bills even with the newly agreed price restriction.

The ChurchWorks Commission has begun a new program in response to the issue, encouraging churches and community centers to become temporary warming shelters for the homeless during the cold winter months.

Gordon Brown, a former prime minister, and one thousand churches have joined up for the “Warm Welcome” initiative.

“This situation goes much beyond politics; this is a moral issue — our responsibility to our neighbors, and in particular to those who have the least and whose needs are the greatest,” Brown added.

The Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, Church Urban Fund, Christians Against Poverty UK, Edge Ministries, and The Salvation Army are just few of the organizations supporting the Warm Welcome campaign.

In spite of the encouraging feedback, the ChurchWorks Commission is still hoping to recruit hundreds more parish churches to the campaign so that those in need of shelter may always have a warm place to go.

“Over the past several years, we have witnessed amazing and meaningful action from churches throughout the UK stepping forward to support those most vulnerable,” said Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham and Chair of the ChurchWorks Commission.

“The Church’s swift and resourceful action during the Covid-19 epidemic. Churches and community centers must again stand up and offer safe havens for their communities as the country faces yet another catastrophe.

Millions of people will be negatively impacted as costs rise, and many will be unable to afford the bare necessities even with government assistance.

For this effort to have a national effect, “hundreds of organisations” need to donate their space, and “churches and community groups are well positioned to aid individuals who need a place of warmth and welcome.”