St Peter's
Canon Shorting, of St Albans, Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Finance, preached on Sunday evening.
He pleaded for the observance of the Bishop's week of prayer and self-denial, which is being held this year from March 6th to 13th. The money contributed in this way yearly, is used to relieve cases of urgent necessity amongst the clergy and their widows, of which he gave instances.
The remaining part of his address was an explanation of what is done with the parochial quota, which in the case of Layston, is raised by the Freewill Offering Scheme. He specially emphasised the help given by their means towards the training of promising young men, who feel the call of the ministry, but whose parents could not afford the long and necessary training for Holy Orders.
As there are now 5,000 less clergy than there were some years ago, the number ordained not making up the yearly wastage by death and retirement, this help is an urgent matter, supplementing the help already given by the C.P.A. and other societies.
It is hoped that new Free-will Offeringsubscribers may come forward as a result of the Canon's visit.
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