I am delighted to be writing to you at the time of the annual gift day for All Saints’ Church. It is now six months since I moved to Wyke to become Rector of the parish. I have met so many people already; I’ve been warmly welcomed in and feel privileged to live in such a lovely place.

You all know the old saying: the more things change the more they stay the same – in some ways that’s a fitting saying for All Saints’ Church. We’ve been through lots of change, and we have an exciting future ahead with new possibilities and opportunities. But your parish church is also a very real sign of the constancy of our shared Christian tradition, our shared heritage and an open door to all.

I hope the gift day will give me the opportunity to meet many more of you, when as ever the church door will be open to you all. I will be in church on that day - Saturday November 3^rd - from 9.00am until 3.00pm to receive any donations for the upkeep and maintenance of our wonderful and ancient building which was consecrated in October 1455.

Why not pop into church if I have not met you already to say hello and join me for a cup of tea or coffee. You can also take the opportunity to take a look at some of the fascinating features of the church and ask the churchwardens about its history. All Saints is very much a part of the history of your village and neighbourhood, and its life today. Some people may only visit it for a baptism, wedding or funeral, but that does not need to be the case. It is your church. You may want to learn about the history, or simply to come and sit in this place where people have prayed for centuries to take a few moments of quiet reflection, and to enjoy some peace.

Each year at our gift day we try to have a project to focus on, you will remember that for the last couple of years we have been working to install toilet facilities in the church to make life easier for our many visitors. Thanks to the hard work of members of the church and the generosity of the people of Wyke and a sizeable bequest we have now been able to complete this work. Why not come and see for yourself on Saturday 3rd November and have a look at what we have done.

This year’s project is to raise money towards dealing with the crumbling stonework around our beautiful east window (the big window behind the altar on the Portland Rd side of the building). With the scaffolding that will be required and glaziers to take out the stained glass and stonemasons to carve and fit new stonework this will be a very expensive task, likely to cost in the order of £10,000 to £20,000. We will need to start this work in the next couple of years if we are to prevent further deterioration to this part of the church and to avoid this becoming a health & safety problem. We do feel that we have to keep on top of the repairs to this ancient building, to keep it in the best state of repair we can, so it remains standing proud above Wyke for all to see for the centuries ahead.

Please help us with your gift to All Saints’, you can place your donation in an envelope (an old one will do), write GIFT DAY on the envelope. It can then be brought to the church on the gift day, or if more convenient sent or delivered to The Rectory, 1 Portland Road, Wyke Regis, WEYMOUTH, DT4 9ES.  If you wish to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to “Wyke Regis PCC”.

For those of you with access to the internet visit our website at www.parishofwykeregis.org.uk which gives lots of information about the church.

GIFT AID allows the church to claim back the tax you have already paid and means each £1 is worth £1.28p to us (at no extra cost to you). If you pay tax, and would like to give under this scheme please complete the form below and enclose it with your donation.

I am a UK taxpayer and wish this payment and all future donations to Wyke Regis, All Saints’ with St. Edmund PCC, to be treated as Gift Aid.

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other ……………

Full Name: ………………………………………………

Address: ……………………………………………….

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Postcode ……………..

Signed: …………………………………………………