Regarding the meeting to discuss the proposed closure of St Michael’s Church, I would like to address the incorrect statements in Christopher Walton’s letter.
Reverend Sue Roberts stated that there was an average of 105 worshippers each Sunday attending St Paul’s Church spread over the various services held (see your report last week on page 6 where that is clearly stated). Therefore, the number of people attending the meeting did not outnumber St Paul’s congregation as he claimed by at least three to one, indeed St Paul’s weekly worshippers outnumber the people at the meeting by over 25 per cent.
Your report on page 6 is incorrect also as the average number of worshippers attending the Thursday morning service at St Michael’s Church is eight to 10; in fact last Thursday there were six. On Ascension Day (an important day in the church’s calendar) the service at St Michael’s attracted 21 people which included two priests and an organist.
I think I can safely say that all the parishioners of St Paul’s Church, along with most Honitonians, love St Michael’s Church but sentimentality does not pay the bills nor provide the ongoing weekly commitment of people to look after and maintain it.
A small group of people who formed the St Michael’s Management Committee and who are worshippers at St Paul’ s worked incredibly hard over many years in an attempt to raise money to improve and care for it.
If those who so ardently spoke of their wish to keep it open had given of their time and talents to help this hard-working group of people, perhaps we would not now be in this position.
Anne Betley
via email
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