OUR STORY
St Michael’s holds a special place in the hearts of many in our congregation and community. From joyful memories marking the milestones of life, from baptisms and weddings and confirmations; Christmas, Harvest and school services, and much more, to times of loss where the church has been a place of comfort and hope.
The primary reason for writing is to ask for your support, as St Michael’s is now facing a significant financial challenge.
Our Rector, the Revd Ann Templeman, is retiring in October, and we will soon be working with the Diocese to find her successor. St Michael’s has been very fortunate because, like her predecessors over the past 15 years plus, Revd Templeman has not sought a stipend (salary) from the church during her ministry here. She has just claimed expenses and her home has been in the Rectory as part of the community.
However, in order to keep our independence as a church, with our own minister, and sustain the ministry which has grown over the last 5 and a half years, we now need to finance a “stipendiary” (paid) minister; ideally full-time but at the very least part-time at an annual cost of £40k and £20k respectively. This is essential if we are to continue the mission, pastoral care, children’s and youth work that has grown during Revd Templeman’s ministry, but we cannot achieve this without an increase in our income.
Paying a salary for a new Rector will be a big change for St Michael’s, and we trust you will understand when we ask, on behalf of the Church Council, for your help and support. We also need to be able to continue to fund Liz, our marvellous part-time young people worker. Liz has made possible the development and growth of Family Church, Sunday School and Pizza Praise.
If you would like to help us to keep St Michael’s as an important part of our village community, and you are able to contribute, there are three ways you could make a difference:
- Please make a Donation to PCC Hoole Parish Church by cheque or by bank transfer to the HSBC Bank, Account No 84453034, Sort Code 40-37-25 quoting bank ref “church fund'
- Please think about joining our Planned Giving Scheme by either setting up a monthly
STANDING ORDER or request to join the weekly giving envelope scheme.
For further details please email: Barbara Wood (Churchwarden at St Michael’s) Email: bw12252@hotmail.com or Tel. 07745 208617
Or visit our website www.hooleparishchurch.com.
(Please also know that a regular gift would make a big difference, and is the best way to help us plan our future together)
- On-Line – via JustGiving www.justgiving.com/campaign/givingingrace
