Church appeal for money

Anglican parishes in Saddleworth need more money to keep going, churchgoers have been told.

That’s the message from team rector, the Rev Christopher Halliday, as the recession continues to bite.

Writing in St Chad’s Parish magazine, the senior cleric for the area said they did not want to close churches, as happened with Scouthead parish church a few years ago.

Mr Halliday said: “All of us have to take a realistic look at what we are giving to the parish and be consistent in the way that we give.

“If we are not using envelopes or a direct debit to the church, why not? Our treasurers do sterling work but it would be much easier if we were consistent and regular in our giving.”

But Mr Halliday said they were not forgetting people in the parishes who were less fortunate than the Church of England — to which they aimed to continue to offer support.

He said: “Our efforts to support outreach should redouble in troubled financial times. There are far too many people whose situations are far worse than ours even on our own doorsteps.”