FOR the third year running, we are working in partnership with the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) to help to support ordinands in need.
CAPA operates in 25 countries in 13 Anglican Provinces across the continent. Its General Secretary, the Ven. J. W. Kofi deGraft-Johnson, has set up a simple but effective application method to disburse the funds raised, on the principles that the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund has always followed: that funds go direct to ordinands, not institutions; that ordinands can use them as they please, including for the maintenance of their families while training; and that no account is taken of gender, age, or theological tradition.
As the secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said when we launched TAP Africa: “Resources for ordinands, their families, and their theological colleges are spread very thinly, and often those with vocations cannot receive the education and formation that they need.”
We are so grateful to our generous readers who, year after year, respond to the TAP appeal. The funds you give change lives.
Take Victor (right), a second-year ordinand, studying towards a diploma in theology at St Philip’s Theological College in Maseno, Kenya, and comes from a family of limited means. “The financial assistance you provided is of great help in payment of my school fees and has allowed me to concentrate more of my time on studying,” he writes.
Victor is determined to study hard so that he can give back to the community and help others in need. “I’m deeply appreciative of your support,” he says. “Thank you very much and to God be the glory.”
Thank you for the £2098 you have already given to this year’s appeal. Despite all the challenges facing us in 2022, we have no hesitancy in commending TAP Africa to our readers once again.
Donate online quickly and securely online. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund.
But you can also give by cheque or charity voucher. Please make cheques payable to: “The TAP Fund” and send to: TAP Fund, Church Times, Hymns Ancient & Modern, 13a Hellesdon Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.
If you are a UK payer of income or capital gains tax, the Church Times, through the Hymns Ancient & Modern charity, can recover 25p for every £1 that you give through Gift Aid. If you are eligible, please indicate this when making an online donation, or complete the form in last week’s paper and send it with your cheque.