Here is the latest newsletter from the Friends of the Diocese.  If you are interested in knowing more about them, here is more information.

Dear Friends

Winter is now in the past along with all those seasonal ailments and I for one will be withdrawing my support for the tissue manufacturers hopefully for a long time to come.  I expect you have noticed that the number of tissues in the box is far fewer these days so the cost of per tissue has increased.  The rise in the cost of living is affecting many people. The movement upward has been subtle but shockingly has now become noticeable leaving you looking at your receipt carefully wondering if there has been a mistake!

That aside, one of my joys during the last few months and I hope yours too, if you have been outside in the evening probably like me putting the daily rubbish in the bins, has been looking upwards and seeing the beautifully bright planet Venus along with other planets not normally visible all at the same time. Totally free-of- charge, awe and wonder.

Read and listen to the daily news and you will have noticed that there is a lot of hype around currently and usually it is followed by disappointments and the feeling of disillusionment. Quietly getting on with the job though neither entirely fashionable nor exciting seems far less exhausting on the brain cells. This just about sums up the purpose of the Friends and that is nothing flash or fancy but still satisfying getting the job done.

Your committee met in late February and considered amongst other items applications for language tuition grants.  They were pleased to give grants for two French language courses.  Over the coming weeks, your committee will be asked to consider grant applications for the Ministry Experience Scheme, where there are four interns requiring financial support, and the Future Youth Scheme. The Future Youth Scheme is a new initiative whereby participants serve a youth focused internship within a chaplaincy. There will be two interns needing some financial assistance. 

Another application for assistance is for a stipendiary curate in Kyiv. The Friends will be asked if they are able to contribute a sizeable amount each year for three years and this will need careful consideration especially as the annual income of the Friends along with its membership is decreasing.  So, please keep your annual donations coming in and, if it is possible, increase the donation to keep in line with inflation.  Alternatively, a one-off donation in additional to your annual one, is always welcome.  Please think about it.  If you need information on how to make a single donation by bank transfer, please ask me and I will give you the relevant information.

As always, thank you for your on-going support and every good wish for Easter,

Jeanne 

Jeanne French, Honorary Secretary, Friends of the Diocese in Europe

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