LAST year, Church Times readers contributed a commendable £67,000 to the Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund. As Easter approaches, there is still some way to go to match that total. The fund currently stands at £19,664.03.
We keep TAP open until Pentecost to gather in money raised over Lent, but we urge any readers who have not yet contributed to think seriously about doing so. We know that, in the present economic climate, money is in short supply. But it is precisely because money is tight that an ordinand can be derailed by a sudden, unexpected expense.
This year, we have abolished the Special Hardship Fund. This is because everything raised will be made available for ordinands’ unforeseen emergencies. Your donations have never been more needed.
Will you help? Every penny of every pound given goes directly to those training for the C of E’s ministry. Nothing is kept back for administering the fund. Giving couldn’t be easier.
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. If you would like an acknowledgement, please enclose an SAE. UK taxpayers can boost their gift by making a Gift Aid declaration. Please do this on our online donations page, or by enclosing the form in last week’s issue.
Spread the word
PLEASE encourage other people to give to TAP, too. A leaflet can be downloaded from the Church Times website; and we encourage churches to hold a collection or fund-raising effort. Please let us know about your support, and your stories: we like to mention them in the Church Times. And don’t forget TAP in your will.