THANK you to all the readers who have responded to our request to make the Church Times better known this month. Posters have been put up, leaflets have been ordered and distributed, and there have even been mentions from the pulpit.

It is immensely encouraging to know that readers share our belief in the importance of independent journalism, and are prepared to introduce us to friends and neighbours.

This week, we have taken the bold step of printing a second copy of this issue so that subscribers can put an actual copy of the paper into the hands of someone who might benefit from reading it. Gone are the days of browsing through a newsagent’s shelves (on which we were never prominent); so it is hard for the Church Times simply to be seen by potential subscribers.

The free copy is an act of faith, of course, and not a particularly cheap method of promotion. But just as we judge church initiatives and enterprises on their merits in these pages, we wish to be judged on our merits by new readers.

We would be grateful, then, if you would pass this extra copy on to someone, with whatever words of encouragement you choose. The paper’s future depends on finding new readers to replace the faithful, life-long subscribers who now no longer need God’s truths to be mediated through mortal agents.

In addition, we still have plenty of leaflets available to distribute in church. To order some, simply send an email to subs@ churchtimes.co.uk, giving a name, postal address, and the number of leaflets you’d like (multiples of ten); or phone 01603 785911 with these details.

Read more about Church Times Month here