Letter Dated 15th August 2008

The cost of maintaining the presence of the church in our parish - its ministry and its buildings, has in recent years fallen more heavily on the shoulders of the local community. In the past, much of this burden has been met by historic reserves, but the time has now come for us to meet a much greater share of this increasing cost.

The current situation in our parish is that the income to our two churches, St. Nicholas’ and St. Peter’s, is falling well short of the amount needed. Although it is a challenge of considerable scale and urgency, it is one which, together, we can meet. Securing the future of the church in our parish is a responsibility that we share as those who have an affiliation to the church here, and only we can provide the solution.

Your Church Council has therefore decided to act now; during September and October we will be introducing a renewed Planned Giving Scheme. The aim of this programme will be to increase the church’s income to the level which has been carefully budgeted to meet our commitments over the coming four years.

During the course of the next few weeks we shall do our best to explain to every family who regards St. Nicholas’ or St. Peter’s as its parish church, what we are aiming to do, why it is so necessary, and how each family can best help.

Signed

Letter Dated 22nd August 2008

Parish Supper - Friday 19th September

Shared Lunch - Sunday 21st September

It gives me great pleasure to send you an invitation to our forthcoming Parish Supper, and Shared Lunch. I hope you will make a special point of coming to one of these events.

It is always good to have the chance to spend time together at gatherings like this, and I am delighted that the Archdeacon of Walsall, Bob Jackson, is able to join us as our guest speaker at the Supper. The Supper will take place at 7.00pm for 7.30pm on Friday 19th September at St. Nicholas First School, Belvide Gardens, off Chillington Drive, WV8 1AN. Ample parking is available.

We realise that not everyone will be able to come on the Friday, and there is a limit to the seating capacity for the supper. For those not able to come to the Supper there will be a Shared Lunch at 12.30pm on Sunday 21st September in St. Nicholas Church. All who come are invited to bring a plate of food to share. After the meal, a short presentation will be shown. During the presentation, activities for children will be provided.

As well as being enjoyable occasions, the supper and the lunch also provide a chance to explain the need for a renewed Planned Giving scheme in our churches, about which the Churchwardens and the Vicar wrote to us all last week.

Please indicate on the reply slip enclosed if you are able to come to the supper or the lunch, and whether or not you require transport.  It would be of enormous help if you would send in the reply slip (by hand, to the church, or by post to the address above) to give us an early indication of the numbers attending.

I look forward very much to being with you on this occasion.

Yours sincerely,