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Kingsland News July 2014 Dear Parishioners, I was musing with the children at school that we are the only faith that has the same name for the people of the faith (the church) and the building where worship takes place (the church). Jewish people worship in a synagogue, and Muslims worship in a mosque, and so on, but when we talk about the church we have to ask the question are we talking about the people or the building – or both? Grateful thanks go to all who made “All the Ps” such an occasion – to Jackie and Bryan Markham for all their preparation at Westmead, and when it rained for all those who helped us move into the church!! Perhaps it shouldn't have been all the Ps! There was a good spirit and thanks to all those who supported it. Just over £1000 was raised towards the running costs of the church. And now that is what I want to talk about. I've put it off for long enough, because whenever I look at it my blood pressure rises. Many of you have been very generous recently in support of the project to
make the church (building) watertight and to stop the windows from falling in. That work is almost complete and I hope we will have a party to celebrate that. (watch this space!) However, building projects come and go and the work of the church (the people and the ministry) is daily – 24/7 you might say – well certainly the bills are. PCC payments last year amounted to almost £57,000, for heating, lighting, insurance, candles and wine, keeping the services running, the bells chiming and the churchyard cut and cost of vicar, rural dean and bishop and the necessary input before fund-raising events become profitable. Last year a dedicated group of people worked tirelessly and £8000 of this was restored by fundraising, and the books just balanced! (the year before was not so good!) We have some exciting ideas for the coming year with regular school services in the church through “Open the book” and giving time to looking after the pastoral care in the parish – but these need money and time, and at