FoSE
Friends of St Ebbe's Trust
Supporting student ministry in Oxford
What is FoSE?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
The Friends of St Ebbe’s Trust (FoSE) was established in 1995 to support the student ministry at St Ebbe’s. The funds raised then were enough to support one full-time student worker (a younger Vaughan Roberts!). By God’s grace, both the student work and FoSE have grown since then.
FoSE now supports a much larger student team, including apprentices, across St Ebbe’s Downtown and St Ebbe’s Headington. The team serves students through Sunday services; Bible studies for undergraduates, postgraduates and international students; training new leaders; meeting with students one-to-one; evangelistic events; reading weeks and annual getaways.
FoSE continues to
- financially support the student team as they reach out to, encourage and train students.
- serve as a network to keep alumni and other supporters connected to St Ebbe’s and to one another long after they have left. There is an annual reunion and a termly newsletter to keep members up to date.
FoSE is reliant upon member donations and is hugely grateful for the sacrificial giving of many that enables them to continue to support the student work at St Ebbe’s.
How can I be involved?
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:4-6)
Keep in touch
Pray
The termly newsletter always includes prayer points. The student team and the students themselves are so grateful for your prayers.
Give
FoSE is grateful to the Lord for all donations however they are given, whether as a one-off contribution or a regular standing order.
If you would like to set up a standing order or make a one-off donation, please arrange with your bank to do so. The FoSE bank details are:
The Friends of St Ebbe’s Trust
Account Number: 00031367
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Alternatively, complete this Standing Order form and return it to us (contact details below).
If you do set up a standing order, please get in touch and let us know. And if we are able to claim Gift Aid on your donation, please complete this form and send it to us.
It is also possible for you to leave a legacy to FoSE in your will, for which we would be hugely grateful. Your gift would be used to continue to support and build the gospel work among students in Oxford, by reaching out to those who do not yet know Jesus, and discipling those who are following him. For more information please click here.
Contact
Friends of St Ebbe’s Trust
c/o St Ebbe’s Church Office
2 Roger Bacon Lane
Oxford
OX1 1QE
Trustees
- Nick Fortescue (Chair)
- Susie Heywood-Lonsdale
- Simon Neal (Treasurer)
- David Reid
- Vaughan Roberts
- Ashley Carter
Registered charity No 1043090
Supporters of Friends of St. Ebbe’s Trust may be aware of the recent thirtyone:eight review into the abuse committed by Jonathan Fletcher. Jonathan Fletcher was one of the trustees of FOSE from 1995-2012. We were shocked and appalled by his actions, and wish to assure his victims of our prayers.
As a trust our normal pattern is to minimise the number of people who know the details of financial gifts. Normally donations to FOSE are kept anonymous and only the FOSE administrator knows who has given any donation. In February 2021 we became aware of public reports that the FC Charitable Trust (of which Jonathan Fletcher was the settlor and a longstanding trustee) was making donations to FoSE. We asked our administrator to check our records to identify these donations and not accept any further donations until the trustees had met to discuss the matter.
We want to make it clear to Jonathan’s victims that we treat his actions and their suffering seriously. We therefore resolved that we wish to express our broken fellowship with him and our solidarity with his victims by:
- refusing all future donations, and
- applying to the Charity Commission for permission to return gifts received since June 2019 when Jonathan’s actions became public.
We are in the process of thoughtfully considering what else FOSE can learn from the thirtyone:eight review. We welcome suggestions from our supporters – please contact us at fose@stebbes.org.
The trustees of the Friends of St. Ebbe’s trust. May 2021.
