Story
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanks for taking the time to visit St Michael and All Angels JustGiving page.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For only the second time, as far as we know, the complete New English Hymnal was sung through from start to finish, unabridged and without a break. The first time was at St Michael's 25 years ago!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The amazing event started on Friday 24th February at 12:00 in the church, and concluded at 7pm on Saturday evening. Full details are at <a href="http://smaaa.org.uk">http://smaaa.org.uk</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Grand Finale had two winners - O praise ye the Lord (427) and Guide me, O thou great Redeemer (368), both of which raised over £1000 in sponsorship.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can still donate to the Hymnathon and our page will be available until May 2012.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The St Michael and All Angels Hymnathon is raising money for our Organ and Parish Rooms Project and all funds donated through this page will be allocated to this appeal.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">St Michael’s is building a new organ and adding an extra floor to the church vestry, creating two more parish meeting rooms – which are much needed now that the church has grown.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The exciting new project means that St Michael’s - and the local schools and musical groups that use our church - will at last have an organ worthy of its Norman Shaw surroundings.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even in its youth, the existing instrument was never adequate for the size or demands of St Michael’s. Now it is deteriorating fast. With growing congregations and more ambitious music at services and concerts, the need for a new organ is paramount.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are a growing church, at the heart of the community. Ten years ago we completed the ambitious refurbishment and expansion of our parish hall. It has transformed our work, and is also used by a large number of local groups – for classes, meetings, lectures and social events. Now we need more space for our expanding activities with children and young adults and for small group meetings. The new floor will meet this need.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two years ago, after much discussion and painstaking research, we commissioned craftsmen in Switzerland to build a new instrument to our specifications. In November 2011, the Diocese granted therequired faculty for the new organ and the building alterations.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now, with your help, we can go full steam ahead with our fundraising plans to pay for it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</span></p>
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