A review of the accounts presented at the last Annual General Meeting shows that the cost of maintaining the life of the Anglican church in Bahrain in its present form amounts to over BD.40,000 per year.  Added to this is the cost of maintaining the compound and all it's buildings etc. but fortunately this burden is partly offset by the income received in the way of rent paid by other congregations which use the facilities.  However, this does not cover depreciation.  Although rents have been increased recently one congregation has ceased to use the premises and thus the bottom line is little changed.

From the above it can be seen that in order to continue as we are, our average weekly income needs to be in excess of BD.750.  Regular worshippers who have followed the weekly reports of the collections posted in the pew sheets will note that our giving is far below this amount.  Occasional fund-raising events such as the recent jumble sale and the forthcoming auction all help to 'swell the funds', but by nowhere near the required amount.

We are extremely grateful to donors who have funded and continue to fund not only items of capital equipment, but also the weekly flower arrangements for the Cathedral and the cost of producing this magazine.  Without this assistance the situation would be even worse.

Once again therefore we have to ask ourselves whether we are giving as much to the church as we should.  It is scriptural that believers should give up to 10% of their disposable income to the church.  Are you doing this?  Unless we increase the income St. Christopher's will be unable to continue in it's present form.

Finally, for those who ask the question, 'Yes, all costs are carefully monitored and expenses closely scrutinised'.