London: Parishioner voices concern about GROWING IN FAITH

Dear Father

I just want to share my anxieties with you about GROWING IN FAITH.

One of its objectives I think is very important, and that is the one about supporting our priests, from the seminary through retirement. It is clear from the documents that there is shortfall on the sum of money needed to do that as it should be done, and that shortfall the laity must gratefully make up. With respect, that does not seem to me to have anything to do with 'growing in faith', but to be a matter of justice and loyalty.

As to the matter of improving our church buildings, I would be sorry to see that regarded as a priority. In a recession, most people are unable to carry out improvements on their homes; and I cannot see that improvement on our church 'home' is crucial. It seems to me to be a capitulation to modern materialistic values. Another capitulation to these values seems to me to be expensive consultants, and glossy brochures. To me these sorts of things should be no-noes for us.

Parish life and parish social action. Wonderful things, and we have lots, and would that we had more. But I don't see them as a matter of money. They are not. They are a matter of having the right people. They are a matter of human, not financial, resources. Our congregation is old, or ageing. We saw with the visitation project that the same old faithfuls come forward, not in their first youth, or health. It was difficult to rustle up participants for that. It will be far harder to get people to want to go round asking for pledges, not a popular activity.

My guess is that this initiative will not work, and will end up a money-waster, not a money-spinner. That is pessimistic, but I share it with you, as a woman of a certain experience of institutions and their efforts to raise funds. I am sorry to have to say this.

Furthermore, I am wondering why we have to be a pilot, or case study. We are not a well-off parish. A lot of our 'pillars of the parish' are at full stretch already, and they will be ones who, as usual, are likely to offer themselves to any new scheme you initiate.

The reason why I am writing this to you is that I don't want you to throw your valuable energies into something that will be a disappointment to you. I admire and treasure you. And I have to tell you honestly, if I believe you are putting your foot into a trap, or a quagmire.

Finally, I think it is a bit of a con that it is called GROWING IN FAITH. It is not to do with faith. I remember, ages ago, the diocese set up a fundraiser called 'The New Pentecost'. It fizzled out, and died without trace. But the title was a con.

With love

name witheld