The Bishop's Lent Appeal 2003

I write to commend the work of ROOF (the Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund), which I am sponsoring as this year's Lent Appeal throughout the Diocese. Founded in 1997, and with close links with St Andrew's, our chaplaincy in Moscow, ROOF has been able to bring into being both work in its orphanages and, most importantly, in a Post-Orphanage Education Centre. ROOF is an outstanding example of practical Christian care and compassion, meeting the needs of children and young people and helping them to a proper confidence and wholeness of life. I commend this admirable cause to the chaplaincies of the Diocese and pray that in this Lent and Holy Week, when we remember again the costly love God showed to us in Christ, we may all give generously to help forward ROOF's work with orphaned children in Russia. The involvement of St Andrew's, Moscow, with this project is an outstanding example to us all: let us help them take forward the good work they have begun in such an outstanding way.

+GEOFFREY GIBRALTAR