Save our Churches !!!!!

[Lynn H]

Hi, Just thought i would put a little reminder of my E-Petition to save our churches and graveyards as this topic seems to have been rekindled.


                                   Thankyou
                                        Lynn

 http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Parishes/

[stanmapstone]

You  must appreciate that the congregations of England, whether they be Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, or URC face the day by day challenge of maintaining a substantial section of the nation's built heritage. They do not get the level of state aid offered by other European countries. The Church of England's repair bill is something like £80 million a year, of which only some £30 million is reimbursed through grants from the state, but the costs are spiralling and grant aid seems to be reducing. Remember that the parish churches are financed through the giving of their diminishing congregations, both for the stipends of the clergy and the upkeep of the grounds and buildings.

Stan

[meles]

I agree Stan. And those who bought graves did not do so in perpetuity. It's sad the material things deteriorate, but surely the intangible things are not troubled by this?

meles

[Lydart]

Agreed, Stan and Meles.

Then small rural churches often commit themselves, rightly so, to supporting charities ... more money to be raised, but it goes elsewhere, often overseas to the third world ... our church, for e.g. is coming to the end of a 6 year committment to a school in Uganda.

[JenB]

You  must appreciate that the congregations of England, whether they be Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, or URC face the day by day challenge of maintaining a substantial section of the nation's built heritage.

Well said! The church in our small village is Grade 1 Listed, and our congregation is largely responsible for its upkeep. The heating system is antiquated, and visitors constantly complain about how cold it is........we have managed through our own efforts to raise a substantial sum to upgrade it.
We raise and pay out a considerable amount of money to keep the church in good repair for people to come and look at. We have a lot of visitors: few bother to put any money in the offering box, but, I think, always expect the church to be open and in good order when they visit.
We have a commitment to contribute to charity each year, and also have a very considerable Parish Share to pay to the Diocese.
So if you feel strongly about keeping our churches open then please attend and/or contribute handsomely because this is the only way they will stay open.

All Saints in Hereford managed it with the cafe, by building it as a sort of separate building inside the church, complete with extra seating upstairs .... nothing attached to the ancient walls !
Anyone going near Hereford ... GO AND SEE IT ! The food is excellent (and no, I'm not a share-holder !)

I must agree, All Saints is an excellent example of dual use of a church. And the food is indeed extremely good. 

Jennifer

[Christopher]

Try http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Parishes/   

Stan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Just a reminder that the E-Petition is now in place and is ready for lots of signiatures. Thanx Lynn.

May residents of NI sign this petition or is it restricted to residents of GB
Will the Churches mind if I've saved a petition to save a pub

Christopher 

[Lynn H]

Sorry Christopher, you must be a british citizen or an expat.

                                          Lynn

[Christopher]

Sorry Christopher, you must be a british citizen or an expat.

                                          Lynn

Hi Lynn

Where do you think Northern Ireland is located This part of Ireland has been governed by the British parliament for many years. At one time the Ulster Unionist party was closely affiliated to the Conservative Party and Lord Trimble, a former NI Prime Minister, is a Conservativer Peer. NI is part of the United Kingdom which makes me a British citizen. I don't hold an Irish passport. Are there first class and second class British citizens?

Christopher

[Lynn H]

How stupid of me   

I don't know where my head was but it wasn't "with me"

Please do except my appologies, and you can consider me well and truely embarrassed and feeling rather foolish.

                Again Sorry,

                       Lynn,