THE COVID -19 pandemic has hit finances at Lymm’s St Mary’s Church – leaving the church about £10,000 down on its usual income.
The Church Hall has been forced to close and the church has also been unable to hold events such as teas and the annual Christmas Tree Festival which are normally a source of income.
Income from the church hall alone was £18,847 last year but is down to £8,982 this year.
But gas and electric bills, insurances and repairs still have to be paid for the hall and the church and major repairs costing nearly £4,000 are necessary on the church hall.
The Rector, the Rev Beverley Jameson said: “ Traditionally Christians remember the visit of the wise men bringing gifts to Jesus at Epiphany. It is also remembered as the 12 days of Christmas, from Christmas Day to Epiphany January 6.
“ Could you possibly just give 10 per cent of what you may spend on presents, turkeys, tinsel, food and chocolate etc. as an Epiphany gift to St Mary’s Church to help fund both the church and the church hall which is a wonderful community asset.”
Details of how to make a donation and a gift aid form (so the church can claim an extra 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 donated ) can be found on St Marys Lymm website at www.stmaryslymm.org .
The Rector added: “Please give generously between now and January 6 to help us carry on in these COVID troubled times. “
