AS WE look forward to the joyful celebration of Easter this Sunday, we do so in the knowledge that we share the journey of Holy Week with Christians all around the globe.
It is a privilege to be part of a worldwide Anglican family. And so we have no hesitation in asking you, again, if you would make a donation to the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund. By doing so, you will be helping the ministry of our brothers and sisters in Africa to flourish.
Nowadays — after decades of supporting ordinands in the UK — the TAP Fund supports the training of ordinands in Africa. We do this through our partners, CAPA, the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, who disburse the TAP Africa grants to people such as Robert Ashinda, a first-year diploma student at St Philip’s Theological College, Maseno, in Kenya. Robert, his college principal says, is a very hard-working and disciplined student with a calling to serve the Church. Put simply, his TAP bursary makes his training possible.
The TAP total this year stands at £11,816, which remains below what we have achieved in previous years. We understand the pressures on household budgets — this year in particular — and are grateful for all donations, large or small. But if you have not yet given, perhaps you might now consider doing so as part of your Easter offering.
Nothing that you give is spent on administration, either here or in Africa. The Church Times is pleased to offer this opportunity to share resources, safely and effectively, with those who are least able to support themselves.
How to donate to the TAP Fund
The easiest way is to donate online, quickly and securely. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund
We will accept donations in any shape and size, however. 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 on page 4 of this week’s issue (14 April) and send it with your cheque.