PUBLIC MEETING – CARROG CHURCH

A meeting was held on Monday 30th March to acquaint the community with the looming crisis in Church funding affecting many small churches in Wales. Subsidies for the financing of Churches have slowly reduced over a number of years and will cease altogether during this financial year. The result is that the Church in Wales requires each Parish to pay an increased Share, estimated at over £7000 per year for Carrog by 2010. Combined with the rising cost of utilities this means approximately £10,000 per year will be required to maintain Llansanffraid.

A steady increase in regular giving has been matched by a steady decline in money from fund raising. However, it was pointed out that short term fund raising was not a solution to the financial crisis and indeed was in danger of alienating the community. Long term, sustainable funding was required if the Church is to stay open and apart from informing the community of the approaching problems, the meeting also sought ideas regarding long term solutions. One suggestion was to hold an Annual Festival.