Volunteers needed...

[KB7DQH]

For a "sponsored Bible reading" event, to cover the VAT on an already funded organ restoration project...

http://www.yellowad.co.uk/news.cfm?id=19026&headline=Volunteers%20needed%20for%20sponsored%20Bible%20event

Volunteers needed for sponsored Bible event

Thursday, 26 May 2011

By Pat Jones

A CONGREGATION is turning to the Bible to help pay an unexpected tax bill.
Brentwood churchgoers raised £120,000 to repair their ancient pipe organ, then discovered they needed another £20,000 because the Government changed the rules for charging VAT.
Worshippers at St Thomas of Canterbury are staging a 24-hour sponsored Bible reading to help fill the funding gap.
Organist Stephen Darkin explained: "We collected the money needed to restore the organ, then discovered we needed more cash.
"When we started, the project was exempt from VAT but the rules changed in January.
"Only repairs to church structures are VAT free now, so we don't qualify any more and have to find another £20,000."
Mr Darkin said the reading marathon was an especially apt scheme for this year, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the King James VI Bible.
The event will start at 6pm on Friday, June 10, and continue in 15-minute slots.
"So far, we have enough volunteers to fill half the spots, but I will have to fill the rest if they remain empty!" said Mr Darkin.
The three-manual-pipe organ was installed in St Thomas' in the 1880s and has been repaired several times since then - the last time in the 1970s.
It is currently with organ restoration experts in Worcester.
The church is well known for its music and is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music. It offers annual organ scholarships and has four choirs and a cycling quartet, Song Cycle.
Ten per cent of the money raised at the Bible reading will go to the Wycliffe Society, which translates the Bible into many languages.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to take part in the reading can contact Mr Darkin by e-mailing darkin@talktalk.net

Eric
KB7DQH