LAST week, we made a special plea to readers on behalf of the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund.

Donations are lower than usual this year, for all sorts of understandable reasons. The cost-of-living crisis is biting hard. We live in uncertain times.

As we approach Holy Week, we are glad to report a rise in our running total, which now stands at £9239. To put this in context, last year we raised £35,000, which was lower than in previous years.

We are, of course, grateful for every donation, large or small, that helps to fund training for ordinands in Africa. Bursaries are distributed via the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA).

All too often, a TAP bursary is the only source of financial support available to these students. They include the ordinands James Israel Mundia and Franklyne Paul Otieno, studying at St Philip’s Theological College, Maseno, in Kenya, who are both commended for their commitment by their Principal, the Revd Leonard Mulogo. “I express my heartfelt thanks for your continued financial, spiritual, and moral support,” Mr Mulogo writes.

“It is our sincere prayer . . . that our warm diplomatic and fruitful collaboration will not cease . . . since this is to the glory and honour of God’s ministry.”

How to donate to the TAP Fund

Please complete the form in last week’s paper if you wish to send a cheque or charity voucher. But we would encourage you 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 a form and send it with your cheque.