I Absolutely Love This Heart-Warming Story
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 21, 2012 10:32am CST
I first saw this on the BBC National News the other day and it actually showed the Rev Richard Steel giving out £10 notes each to his congregation at the church where he is based.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2012/11/15/kirkheaton-parish-church-rector-offers-10-each-for-congregation-to-invest-86081-32235837/
What he wants them to do is invest the money (for example, to buy ingredients for a cake) and to sell that cake on to others, therefore making a profit..and that profit goes to fixing the church roof, amongst other things.
They have until Easter to re-invest the money and see what the 'profits' will be. At first I was a bit cynical about it, telling John, 'I bet a few will be buying alcohol with that money as soon as they get out of the church,' but then I felt guilty after seeing the lovely parishioners and a couple of them were saying what they were going to do with the cash.
It's a brilliant idea though (and has gone national now, apparently) so, hopefully, it will stop a few churches being sold off to the likes of Tesco and property developers.
What I can't understand though..why do they want to take the pews out and replace them with chairs? I don't go to our local church but I've seen photographs of their pews being replaced by chairs and it looks like a Day Centre.
Anyway, I like Reverend Steel, he's got a kind face, don't you think?
It's a brilliant idea though (and has gone national now, apparently) so, hopefully, it will stop a few churches being sold off to the likes of Tesco and property developers.
What I can't understand though..why do they want to take the pews out and replace them with chairs? I don't go to our local church but I've seen photographs of their pews being replaced by chairs and it looks like a Day Centre.
Anyway, I like Reverend Steel, he's got a kind face, don't you think?1 person likes this
7 responses
@babyanna (1216)
• China
22 Nov 12
That is soooo nice~Sometimes it feels good to be trusted, and I think that's one of the reasons why some people didn't use that money to buy drinks.
Hmmm, I like pews. I always see them in churches in TV shows or movies. I thought that's how it's supposed to be. It would be a shame if people replace them with chairs.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
If you read p1kef1sh above he goes into detail about why pews are being replaced. I felt the same way as you (and still do I suppose) as pews are part of a church's framework. Replacing them with chairs..well, I find it weird but I can understand the reasoning..just about!
I like the "just about" at the end. Yeah, I see the reason, but it's just hard to see the pews go. It has become a symbol.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
21 Nov 12
That is an interesting scheme that he has set up there. Very practical, and very much in keeping with what I think the Christian message should be.
I know a bit about pews. They are a relatively modern idea first making an appearance in the 17th century. Prior to that people usually stood during services and the church was as much a social centre as anything else. The reason why pews are being removed and replaced by chairs is that chairs are much more flexible. You only need to have as many chairs as you have congregation and as we all know in the Church of England at least, congregations are getting smaller and smaller. The average pew holds no more than five or at a squeeze six people. Six chairs takes up less space and you can probably get eight or nine in the space of one large pew. This means that if the church is fortunate enough to have a lot of visitors more of them are likely to be seated. If the church is sensible however, it will make sure that they don't throw the pews away but they sell them to a reclamation yard. People seem to love to have old church pews as benches in the hallways of larger houses.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I was fascinated reading all that my friend and thanks for the information. I can understand the reasoning now.
@jenny1015 (13359)
• Philippines
22 Nov 12
I really do not know anything about Rev. Steel, but knowing what he did is something really unique to make his parishoners work hand in hand in helping to create funds for the reconstruction of the church. I think the other priests should also follow his example coz it is not just trying to raise funds. More than that is the ability of the people to help one another in achieving a certain goal.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
I believe this scheme looks like it's 'gone national' with more Reverends taking up the idea. This is due to it being featured on national news, I would think.
Anything to help save the churches (even if most people don't go anymore) is a good thing as I find it sad when they are converted into apartments and the like. I couldn't live in a converted church, put it that way.
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
21 Nov 12
That's a different news. Church should really give money to their members to help them in their livelihood not to be strict in their tithes because more people need money themselves and anyway churches are just used once a week then why make it so beautiful?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
I think there is a bit more to just visiting the church once a week. This is the whole point of making this particular church more 'public friendly' so, even if you're not a church-goer, the informal atmosphere will draw you in.
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
22 Nov 12
Hi friend, good to hear about this new idea, he used the profit for a good work. Hope all the churches will get benefits with this new idea
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
Yes, it is a nice change reporting good news isn't it? I believe this scheme is catching on with other Reverends around the country so the power of television has been a force for good, which is great!
@valerievy (162)
• Guam
22 Nov 12
Thanks for sharing. It's a good example that there are still good people in the world with such generous hearts. Please keep us posted on any updates of the results of his efforts.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
Well, that's down to the media but I'm hopeful - come Easter-time, the church will have had all its repairs done. In fact, the target was nearly reached but there just had to be a final push to the finish line, so to speak.
I do know the works are starting so, no doubt a reporter will go back to see the results.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
21 Nov 12
A great story.. thanks for sharing here with us. I love these kinds of posts here.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Thank you. It really cheered me up when I saw the report on television so I thought I'd find a written article online to share.
