Last updated 22nd October 2024

Harvest Appeal 2024

Harvesting a Love of Learning

In July, we were privileged to have a visit from Bishop Leo Rodrick, the Bishop of Multan in central Pakistan.  During his time in the diocese, he was able to meet members of the Vision and Strategy team and join in with the joyous year 6 leavers’ service at the Cathedral.

A conversation between Bishop Philip and Bishop Leo can be viewed here.

As a diocese, we are strengthening our links with Christians around the world.  This year, we are encouraging our parishes and schools to learn about the lives of Christians in Pakistan. 

The diocese of Multan is made up of 75 parishes with 52 priests and a number of church primary schools.  Most of the population live in villages.  The climate is warm and dusty.  Islam is the predominant religion (98.99%) with Christians making up 0.86%.  Christians are free to worship and Bishop Leo reports that churches are growing.  He asks us to pray for the security of Christians.

One of the priorities of the Multan diocese is to improve the low levels of literacy that exist especially for women and children.  The Harvest Appeal, this year, will go towards a women’s literacy programme.  

In order to encourage giving, Bishop Philip is organising a ‘Harvest Heptathlon.’  Our school children are being encouraged to organise their own Harvest Heptathlons.  Lisa Fenton and the Board of Education team have put together resources to use with children and young people.  The resouces can be found here.

We are grateful for the support that we have provided in recent years and thankful for the generous giving of our parishes and schools.  

There are different ways to donate:

•  You can donate online using a debit or credit card by clicking here which will take you to our Parish Giving Scheme page for the Harvest Appeal where you can also Gift Aid your donation.  You do not need to have joined the scheme to make a one off donation.
• You can donate by cheque, payable to 'Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (Diocese Harvest Appeal)' and send to Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance, Diocesan Office, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE
• Contact the Finance team on dbfaccounts@blackburn.anglican.org if you wish to make a payment by bank transfer
• You can scan the QR code with your smartphone which will take you to the donation page where you can also Gift Aid your donation.
• If your parish wishes to collect for the Harvest Appeal using your Collectin or Payaz devices, you should set up a new campaign.  If you wish to do this please email stephanie.rankin@blackburn.anglican.org for istructiosn and the films.  You will then need to send the funds to dbf accounts using the instructions above.