My brothers and sisters in Christ, It’s been wonderful to serve you for 31 years, but I am now ready to take a step back and to welcome another priest into this parish, as soon as the Archbishop and Epitropi Church Committee find my replacement. Now 80 years old, I am still very active despite being partially-sighted. Thank you for providing me with transport or taxi fares. Thank you for making sure that I do not stumble on steps. Nonetheless it is essential for you to consider how you will fund my successor. I am prepared to become the second priest and support whomever the Archbishop sends to you. In some cases, I might only have served you for a wedding or a funeral, but I do hope you will consider giving to the Church so that we can continue our Orthodox mission. Finance Initially you paid me £5000 a year; this rose after a few years to £8000, but I gave up taking a salary fifteen years ago at state pension age of 65. I do not take anything in excess of my expenses in line with the example of the Apostle Paul, who supported himself with tent making. If anyone poorer than I makes a personal offering for my occasional services, it is placed in the box at the back of the church. I never ask for offerings when I visit cemeteries, homes or hospitals. There is every chance that a new priest will require a proper salary, especially if they have a family to support. The savings the church has managed will likely be spent very quickly by the need to pay a new priest. In Orthodox countries the priest will receive a small salary from the state, which he augments with offerings for occasional services and other suitable work. No such salary is available in this country, neither has the Archbishop the necessary funds to wholly support local priests. Consequently, you must consider making regular donations to the church. The Epitropi Church Committee for St. Demetrios and St. Nikitas Greek Orthodox Church in Plymouth have attached their letter (it's also in this email below my signature), asking parishioners to support our church with stewardship contributions. I hope that you will. I am well aware of those unable to pay very much. I am also aware of those who are well-off and beg them to be more generous. Please know that a new priest would still have me around for filling in the gaps. Please work together amicably for the future needs of this church community. With my prayers Father Gregory Palamas Carpenter ------
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