25/03/2009
from Priest Paul Elliott
The missionary parish of St Elisabeth, Birkenhead, raised an appeal last November to try to raise the initial sum of £100,000 to purchase a redundant church from the Church of England. On one level, it was unsuccessful as the sum raised came to about £35,000. This, however, is an enormous sum of money and, as often happens, God had different thoughts to us. The local Borough Council has offered us a disused cemetery chapel in Liscard, about 2.5 miles from Fr Paul's house and very accessible. The builders have just gone in to assess what work needs to be done. Presently, we are well over budget by about £pound;15,000 but, in faith the parish is going ahead in the hope that other Orthodox Christians might be generous and help us and in the hope that local community funding can be secured. So, first of all, thank you to all those who have already contributed and supported the parish and, secondly, please consider helping the parish to finally complete this work to establish a permanent Russian Orthodox Church in Merseyside by helping us to raise the last £15,000.The chapel was inspected by Archbishop Mark when he visited earlier this year. Processions can take place right round it and it is a manageable size considering the congregation can range from as small as 9 to as large as 59. A lavatory and small kitchen will be installed, the pews cleared and the whole building decorated and repaired making it ready for conversion into an Orthodox Church. The parish has requested the re-use of the temporary iconastas presently at the cathedral which has icons from the Podvoria (Baron's Court), and already has items that were from the parish of St Nicholas, Bradford, which will be able to be brought back into use having been in store at Fr Paul's house. The parish hopes to be able to use the chapel by the feast of St Elisabeth (July 18th) though the iconastas may not be available until September. Donations can be sent to Fr Paul at 58 Shrewsbury Road, Prenton, Wirral CH43 2HY. Cheques should be made out to "The Parish of St Elisabeth the New Martyr, Birkenhead". Donations of items necessary for the equipping of an Orthodox Church will be very welcome.
If you are unable to support our parish financially at this point would you please support us by praying fully? We would value this enormously.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any clarification or would like to help in any way.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
