EASTER is here, and our Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund remains open for donations. For the past 73 years, our readers have been giving generously — to the tune of more than £4.7 million — to help to relieve ordinands of financial worries.

After some years supporting ordinands in Africa, this year we have returned our attention to those with a vocation to serve in the Church of England. The financial support of ordinands in training was recently overhauled — and, because the regular grants that ordinands receive are now more generous, the need for hardship payments, such as those that TAP provides, should be less than it once was.

As a result, we have extended the reach of TAP to help people at an earlier stage of exploring their vocation. Our hope is that the availability of TAP grants will help to remove some of the barriers to participation for people from less financially secure situations.

Thanks to another legacy, we started this year’s appeal with almost £80,000 in the kitty. Already this year, we have received donations amounting to £22,256.99 which takes us over £100,000 in total.

None the less, may I encourage readers who have not yet made a donation to give as generously as possible?

Every penny that you give will go to ordinands, and to those who are exploring a vocation to ministry in the Church of England and face financial difficulty. Nothing is retained to cover administrative expenses.

Donate online quickly and securely at: hymnsam.co.uk/donations/tap-fund

Or you can 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 your donation is eligible for Gift Aid, please include a completed TAP Gift Aid form with your cheque. You can also opt for Gift Aid when making an online donation.