End-of-Year Special Appeal from the Chaplain to the Community of Mallorca

Dear Friends and Supporters of St Philip and St James Anglican Church,
As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have supported our church through your time, talents, and financial resources. Your generosity has been the cornerstone of our ministry, and we are deeply grateful. I would like to share an important aspect of our chaplaincy with you. Unlike many other dioceses, chaplaincies in the Diocese in Europe, including ours, are entirely self-funding. This means that we do not receive financial support from the Church of England. All the ministry and activities of St Philip and St James Anglican Church rely on the contributions of our members and the goodwill of well-wishers. The reality we face is that the church has been experiencing significant financial challenges for some time. We have been operating at a deficit for years, which has resulted in the depletion of our reserves. Several factors have contributed to this decline, including Brexit, an ageing congregation, migration, and the impacts of Covid-19. These challenges have led to a reduction in church membership and, subsequently, in our financial resources. Despite these difficulties, our church remains a vital part of the English-speaking community in Mallorca. We provide invaluable pastoral support, including Remembrance Sunday services, weddings, funerals, hospital visits for the sick, and much more. The church is not just a place of worship but a cornerstone of community and identity for many English-speaking residents. Through the generosity of some members, we have been able to undertake significant cost-saving measures and projects. These include the installation of solar power, reducing the chaplaincy position from full-time to half-time, and transitioning from a paid administrator to a volunteer role. These measures, while necessary, highlight the urgency of our financial situation. As we conclude this year, I invite you to consider supporting the ministry of our church in any way you can. Even small contributions make a big difference. For example, we need support for: • Fuel for the chaplaincy’s car (approximately half a tank per month). • Cleaning materials, teas, and snacks for fellowship. • Wine and wafers for the Eucharist. • Candles for the altar and votive candles for prayers. • A computer for the chaplaincy’s office. • Stationery and printer ink for service sheets. In our broader vision, we also hope to address some pressing needs: • Rewiring the church’s electrical system. • Painting the church’s front, which has become unsightly. No gift is too small, and every contribution will go a long way in sustaining the ministry of the church, which is currently at risk of closure. If you feel moved to support us, please contact our administrator at: secretaryanglicanpalma@gmail.com or visit our website at: https://anglicanchurchmallorca.org/donate....
Your generosity can help ensure that St Philip and St James Anglican Church continues to serve as a beacon of faith, hope, and love in Mallorca.

Thank you for your support, and may God bless you richly.
With gratitude and prayers, Ishanesu Sextus Gusha Chaplain, St Philip and St James Anglican Church, Mallorca

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