Coronavirus Emergency Fund opens for churches to support their local community

A new fund has been launched by the Diocese of St Asaph to help churches support their local community as Wales emerges from lockdown.

A £40,000 Coronavirus Emergency Fund will be distributed to churches setting up projects to help those most in need in their area.  Among the schemes seeking funding is a food club at St Peter’s Church in Holywell which is supporting more than 60 families each week and the distribution of “feel good” packs to keyworkers and those shielding by St Mary’s Church in Ruabon.

The Archdeacon of Wrexham, John Lomas, who oversees community support projects by local churches, said: “It’s important that churches look outwards and serve those in most need at this difficult time. The fund is designed to be easy for churches to access without lots of paperwork.

“We’re looking to support at least one project in each of our 20 Mission Areas and the nature of these projects will differ according to local need.

“If you have an idea to help those most in need in your area, contact your local church as they could work in partnership with you to make it happen.”

The Coronavirus Emergency Fund is part of a package of measures to support the work of Mission Areas by the Diocese and the Representative Body of the Church in Wales. Details of how to apply to the fund can be found in the supporting your community section of the website.

The fund is available as churches are beginning to re-open for private prayer, weddings and funerals. Only those churches which complete a risk assessment are permitted to open in-line with Welsh Government guidance.

The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, an independent Province of the Anglican Communion.  In usual times, regular services and activities take place in 214 churches and the diocese looks after 50 Church in Wales Schools.