| The Long Barn Appeal Target is £995,000. See the appeal blog for news and progress. |
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| We have asked some of our supporters for words of encouragement for the appeal. |
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"Having grown up in a vicarage I understand the pressures that clergy life can bring both for priests and their families. The Society of Mary and Martha at Sheldon provides help for those to whom those pressures have become too much. I commend to you their excellent work and urge you to support their Long Barn Appeal." |
| Hugh Dennis, actor, comedian and writer |
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"As the son of clergy parents who somehow escaped the need for a place like Sheldon’s Long Barn, I nevertheless know enough about the tensions of clergy life to know how valuable such a resource is. I have no hesitation in supporting the Long Barn Appeal, and hope you will too." |
| Jon Snow, journalist and presenter |
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"I have been impressed and grateful for the way in which the Society has been able to help and refresh clergy from the Diocese of London from a wide diversity of backgrounds and situations. If Mary and Martha did not exist we would have to invent it." |
| The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO DD FSA |
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"I am delighted to be able to offer some supportfor the Long Barn appeal. From time to time clergy and families from this diocese have hugely benefitted from time at Sheldon. Institutionally I am grateful for the very careful and pioneer work done by the Society in relation to the Affirmation & Accountability report which I worked through as Bishop fo Stafford and again here at Guildford with my Senior Staff Team. So we have much to be grateful for and our gift is merely a token of our thanks." |
| The Rt Rev'd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford |
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"In November 2008 I launched the appeal to raise the £995,000 needed for the Long Barn work to be carried out. Excellent progress is being made with the rundraising but more support is still needed. I do hope that you can give your support to the Long Barn project, so important to the unique work undertaken by the Community at Sheldon." |
| Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Devon Eric Dancer CBE |
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"There are times when most of us get to feel a little bit like Lazarus - entombed, perhaps, and in the dark, with no obvious way forward, urgently needing to re-connect with his dear friend, Jesus. If this rings bells with you, a visit to Mary and Martha (where the spirit of Jesus is a permanent resident) can help you come alive again. And any help you can give to the appeal may also be the beginning of a miracle for someone else." |
| Margaret Silf, author |
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"The Society of Mary and Martha is a gift to the Church. For some of my clergy it has been a life-saver where they have received professional care, love and hospitality to help them face a time of crisis. For others, it is a regular place of renewal as they face the challenges of ministry today.
I wholeheartedly support the Long Barn Appeal as the Society seeks to improve this much needed resource for those in ministry." |
| The Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS, Bishop of Monmouth |
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"As a son and grandson of the Scottish manse, albeit in an age when due deference was generally paid to clergy, I am keenly aware of the pressures which we place upon those who minister to us, and upon their families and helpers.
I am privileged to count as friends many contemporary clergy in every denomination including Bishops in the C of E. Invariably, discussion comes around to the stresses facing clergy today and frequently unsolicited tribute is paid to the Society, which is described as having been life-saving to a colleague or even to that very individual. Long may the Society flourish!" |
| Dr Sir Alexander Macara FRCP, FRCP Edin.,FRCGP, FFPH, FFOM, DPH Lond., F.Med.Sci. Former Chairman of the British Medical Association. President of the National Heart Forum. |
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"The Long Barn Development is the latest exciting step in Sheldon's
journey as a beacon for those in Christian ministry today with all its
challenges and pressures. The Long Barn appeal enables us all to show
our support to Sheldon's dedicated community as they climb this
particular mountain."
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| The Revd Lynda Barley, Head of Research, Archbishops' Council |
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"We in the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council are well aware of how hard our clergy work to fulfil the vocation to which God has called them. We also know that they do so in an increasingly inhospitable context. And as a result of this high level of commitment in a challenging context there will always be a time when some of our colleagues need to take time out to reflect and rest. The Long Barn project will enhance the facilities available to those in need of such a time apart. It is a cause worthy of our financial support and we would encourage you to support this appeal." |
| The Venerable Christopher Lowson, Director of Ministry |
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"I have been involved with Sheldon for over twenty-odd years now - and some of them have been very odd! - but throughout the love and care of this community have been constant. My own visits and times of retreat have always been hugely important for me personally. Much more important, however, is that this opportunity is available for clergy who need it more and more in today's pressured situations. Over the years I have encouraged many ministers to spend time with Mary and Martha - and they have all found it very helpful. The Long Barn Appeal will take us forward to the next stage of this important resource for the whole church, so please support it." |
| The Reverend Professor Richard Burridge, Dean of King's College London |
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"Men and women starting out on ordained ministry in today's church face tremendous challenges to their spiritual resources and sheer stamina. They will all need places of rest and re-visioning, and some will need sensitive support through times of acute difficulty. The upgrading of the Long Barn is the latest thoughtful initiative from Sheldon to ensure the ongoing provision of help and hospitality for the Christian ministers of the future. I hope you will join me in giving the appeal your full support." |
| Reverend Dr Margaret Whipp, Dean of Studies, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford |
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"When I first visited Sheldon I was struck by its natural beauty and wonderful position, but its buildings were run down. In the intervening twelve years there has been wonderful transformation with rebuilding and enhancement. It is an extraordinary achievement to have raised in-house the voluntary funding for all this work so far. There remains one building which stands out like a sore thumb because its accomodation is 'not fit for purpose' by today's standards. Mary and Martha needs our support in one more essential push to complete its necessary enhancement. Heave!" |
| Major General Sir Christopher Airy |
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“On behalf of the Diocese of St Albans I am delighted to make a contribution to your Long Barn appeal. Many clergy from this Diocese have benefited from a stay at Sheldon and we are glad to give some practical support.” |
| The Rt Reverend Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans |
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