🚧 Urgent Repairs at Holy Trinity This week brought sobering news for Holy Trinity. Following a meeting with our architect, alongside Peter Clayton and Toni, it has been confirmed that one of the main beams in the south aisle of the church is unsafe and must be replaced immediately. Even more concerning, two adjoining beams have also failed, meaning urgent work is required on this section of the building. The architect is now consulting with engineers and will put the work out to tender. The estimated cost of this immediate repair stands at £20,000, while the longer-term replacement of the roof is projected at around £150,000. The Good News ✨ Despite these challenges, Holy Trinity will remain open. Worship, fellowship, and community life can continue, which is a blessing as we approach the Advent and Christmas season. The Difficult News ⚠️ To ensure safety, the south aisle of the church must be cordoned off. This unfortunately means the organ will be out of action until the roof is repaired. While this is a significant loss, it is a necessary step to keep our doors open and our congregation safe. Why Act Now? 💡 Though the costs are daunting, the alternative is far worse. If the beam were to collapse, it could bring part of the roof down with it - leading to greater expense and disruption. Acting swiftly is the most responsible course. Next Steps 📅 PCC Meeting: An urgent meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday 26th November at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity. This will allow us to discuss faculty processes and agree on the way forward. The PCC will update you following that meeting. A Community Effort ❤️ Holy Trinity has always been more than bricks and mortar - it is a living community of faith. While this news is difficult, it is also an opportunity to come together, to protect our heritage, and to ensure that worship continues in safety and joy. Let us rise to this challenge with hope, prayer, and generosity. Once we have more information, we will update you, but also recognising that a large fundraising project is now a reality! Please do keep Holy Trinity very much in your prayers as we work to protect this wonderful building. If you would like to discuss this in more detail please contact the Vicar or Churchwardens.
It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of our beloved Churchwarden, Mary Bailey. Mary died peacefully at home on the evening of the 28th October, surrounded by her family. Mary was a steadfast and faithful servant of the church, whose unwavering dedication touched the lives of all who knew her. To many, she was more than an esteemed member of our congregation; she was a trusted colleague, a cherished friend, and a confidante. To me, she was “My Mary”! Mary stepped up to become Churchwarden at a difficult period for the benefice, a role she carried out with care and compassion. I will be forever grateful for her service to me as Vicar. During her time as Churchwarden, Mary’s commitment, compassion, spirit, and faith enriched our community and strengthened our shared faith. Her legacy will live on in her dedication to All Saints’ and her valued support of Holy Trinity. Funeral arrangements will be shared in due course, allowing us all the opportunity to come together and honour Mary’s life. At this difficult time, we ask that you remember Mandy, Ruth, and all of Mary’s family in your prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the love and support of our community. May Mary rest in peace, and rise in glory. Andrew+
An essential aspect of fulfilling our faith and supporting the Church’s mission is through consistent financial contributions. Regular giving ensures the sustainability of our church and facilitates effective future planning. For this reason, we participate in the Parish Giving Scheme. The Churchwardens and I are committed to preserving our listed buildings for future generations but keeping our churches open costs £125 per day. Our community's support keeps the church active and essential in our area. While asking for donations is difficult, regular giving is crucial for sustaining the church's ministry, especially during challenging financial times. Please consider giving what you can. With this letter, we are launching our new 'Sponsor a Day' which allows everyone to select a day (or days) to sponsor a day in memory of a person or cause by donating, through Parish Giving Scheme, a minimum of £125 per year. £125 is equivalent to approximately £10 per month or £2.40 per week and with Gift Aid we can claim another 25% from your donation! Please contact me to discuss which date(s) you would like to sponsor!For enquiries about making one-off or regular donations, or leaving a legacy, please contact me at: 01763 230178 rev.andrew.birks@hotmail.com With Prayers and Best Wishes Andrew+
Data Protection Breach.A message from the Vicar, Revd Andrew Birks.The Diocese has been notified of a data breach that has occurred involving personal data processed by Access Personal Checking Services Ltd (APCS), acting as the data processor for those using APCS for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applications. In addition to many parishes across the Church of England, the breach has also affected a number of separate Dioceses and also the National Church institutions (NCIs), all of whom also use APCS.Please note that the Church of England central systems and Diocesan Information Technology (I.T.) systems have not been hacked, nor has any of the parish systems, and those respective networks are unaffected by this data breach. This breach is only in relation to the use of APCS.APCS has provided some details of the breach, including the nature of the incident and the types of personal data involved. We are expecting further details will be provided as the investigation progresses. If you haven’t received an email from APCS, or the Diocese, or the Parish Safeguarding Officer, then you are unlikely to have been affected, though you should continue to check for emails from them over the coming days.If you are concerned the Diocese have a dedicated website page which is constantly being updated with all of the latest developments, and also offers guidance on what to do if you have been told your details have been ‘hacked’. The website page can be found here…. www.elydiocese.org/parish-support/privacy-and-data-protection/data-protection-and-gdpr/apcs-data-breach.php
