Big Freeze

Then we will not agree MaluCatchul, you want the church to close it's doors to people with spiritual needs for people with physical needs . Should families attending the funeral of a loved one hold the service in the grounds because a coffin placed among people's beds would not be acceptable ?

Mosques in the North West are opening their doors to homeless people, though I don't know if they are sleeping there. A good example to the Churches?

What church are you talking about Maluchatchful? Neither catholics nor CofE have bank accounts full of cash.

In both denominations they have fewer and fewer cleryman, that they have difficulty paying, the biggest problem being pensions. Both denominations are shedding churches. Even Bishops palace's have been disposed off in the big sell-off and bishops live in far more modest homes.let alone all those Rectories and vicarages they have been selling off for over 50 years

Yes, the value of their churches is great, especially when on prime sites. Should the Archbishop of Canterbury sell off Westminster Abbey and Lambeth Palace as development land? They would probably be quite glad to do so. I was recently in Ripon Cathedral, They had a big notice saying that it cost £1,500 a day to maintain it. I think Westminster abbey costs many millions to run.

At times CofE in particular have tried to sell off important artworks, where they have them. An example is the Zurbaran paintings at Aukland Castle in Darlington. There was such a shindig raised over lost heritage, they hastily with drew the plans.

Remember each parish in both denominations is responsible for the upkeep of the parish church and in the case of catholics, providing the priest's salary.

So, what riches?

So true MOnica, the church in our parish has no priest, the vicarage sold to pay for urgent repairs to the church, a retired priest holds some services but no money for the heating. The church in the next parish rents part of the church as a cafe, not a seperate room but at the west end of the naive. The Tuesday morning service had to stop, chatting and drinking coffee wasn't comfortable for those who were taking communion or for those drinking their coffee. So easy to place the responsibility onto the church and away from the community.

I'm probably self indulgent and just feeling sorry for myself, but no one in my so called neighbourhood has bothered to check on me. I haven't seen a soul for a week and I can't walk or drive due to the ice. People are bloody selfish. (Ones round here are) given myself a headache now through getting angry!

Im only 67, what's it going go be like when im 87?

Sorry, you are angry wot. Do you have a disability that means you can't get out?

So true what many have said, that it’s complicated. The Bodach worked in a homeless hostel, and much was made of the local authorities closing the hostels and rehousing the service users. Problem was, that so many of them, for whatever reason, couldn’t cope with managing their own affairs, and the support they were offered was inadequate.
Some preferred to be on the streets with other homeless people, and wouldn’t go to shelters for fear they’d be ‘ forced’ back into a house.
And someone mentioned a dog, but there are lots of shelters which don’t allow dogs, so the people prefer to stay on the streets.

Not a disability but my balance is bad since my aneurysm op and I'm in a rural location.

Who is aware of your situation wot?

The people in the big farmhouse joined onto the back of my little cottage. Other people are far away. When his dad was next door, I made sure he was okay

A. GN friend has been caring but no one near. I'll get over it. I look young a and fit so don't get sympathy !!

I'm fully aware of the plight of others worse off than myself. That doesn't mean I am not entitled to a moan on gn.

Isolation can make one cranky.

I agree with you wot, I also live in a rural area, am now snowed in and will not be able to leave the house until after the snow has thawed (the garage is at the bottom of a long steep drive). I am more fortunate that you as I have had phone calls from two of my sisters in law and a nephew called in on Tuesday lunchtime to check if I needed anything (they all live the other side of the city). No neighbour has checked on me and the last time I was ill and didn't open my curtains for a week not one neighbour noticed - not even the one who has a spare key. Like you I am aware there are people a lot worse off than me, which is why I feel uncomfortable when I do have a moan!! Hope you are managing to keep warm

Thanks, oldwoman, I was beginning to feel ostracised. I just don't like meaness. Perhaps people are just wary of seeming nosy?

Please feel free to moan on GN.

My neighbours and I keep an informal eye on each other. We are all similar ages and some divorced and widows. I'm sorry I can't help you

Our 'watch' started when a neighbour had a hip replacement wand was worried no one would notice if she didn't appear. It gave us all food for thought and we now keep an eye on each other!