ALL too often, one problem leads to another. Mark, an ordinand, was horrified to discover one day that not only had his boiler broken down, but that it had flooded part of the family home.
The costs of calling out an emergency plumber and paying a specialist to repair the boiler looked to be too much. Thankfully, the Train-a-Priest (TAP) Special Hardship Fund was able to help him with an emergency grant of £1750 to keep him and his family warm in their home, and enabling Mark to carry on with his studies.
Malcolm, another ordinand, has family responsibilities that can be difficult to meet, given the financial choices priests in training often have to make. His daughter has a learning difficulty, which requires therapy, and he was understandably anxious that he might not be able to pay for it.
He applied to the TAP Special Hardship Fund and was awarded £300 towards the therapy costs. Needless to say, Malcolm and his daughter appreciated this immensely.
Those who train for the ordained ministry are aware that it entails sacrifice: nobody responds to the call thinking that it will be an easy ride. There will, however, be times when the pressures of life threaten to grow too great. It is no exaggeration to say that the TAP Fund has been an answer to many prayers. Long may it continue to be so.
How to give
GIVING online is easiest for many donors, and for us. Simply visit www.hymnsam.co.uk/train-a-priest.aspx. This is a secure page with clear instructions.
We also accept cheques, postal orders, cash, and charity cheques, which should be sent to: TAP Fund, Church Times, 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.
Spread the word
PLEASE encourage other people to give to TAP — a colour leaflet can be downloaded from the Church Times website. We also encourage churches to hold a special collection, or fund-raising effort. Please let us know about your support, and your stories.