IT IS that time of year again. Each year, for more than seven decades, our readers have dipped their hands into their pockets in support of ordinands through the Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund. As a result of our readers’ generosity, many members of the clergy and their families experiencing hardship during their training for ordination benefited.
A few years ago, our focus changed, thanks to a generous legacy from a retired headmistress, Angela Tuddenham. Miss Tuddenham’s bequest means that any ordinand who suffers financial difficulties while training for the priesthood in the Church of England can now apply for a TAP grant via the National Ministry Team, in Westminster.
Knowing this to be the case, we have turned our attention to the Anglican Communion and, specifically, Africa, where 40 million Anglicans live and worship, but where funds for training priests are often lacking. The TAP Africa appeal — launched three years ago with the support of the then Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon — offers a lifeline.
A great deal has happened since we made that decision in 2020: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and a cost-of-living crisis at home. We are acutely aware that many of our readers are feeling the pinch. Yet the financial needs of those in training are greater than ever. So once more we appeal to your generosity in a worthy cause.
We will again be working in partnership with the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), a co-ordinating body that operates in 25 countries in 13 Anglican Provinces, to ensure that funds are directed to those most in need. As always, funds will benefit ordinands, not institutions, and grants will be made irrespective of gender, age, or theological tradition.
Last year, readers donated £32,348 to TAP Africa. It would be wonderful if we could equal or surpass that total this year. We have no hesitation in recommending TAP Africa to our readers once again.
How to donate to the TAP Fund
EVERY penny that you give goes to ordinands in Africa who face financial difficulty, to support them as they complete their training. Nothing is retained to cover administrative expenses, here or in Africa.
Donate quickly and securely online. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund
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 here and send it with your cheque.