Elgin church thief forgiven
A MINISTER feels no anger towards a man who stole the collection following Sunday’s service.
Donations were being counted when a man claiming he wanted to give money snatched around £175 off the table before making his get-away on a red bicycle.
Reverend Christopher Ketley, minister of Holy Trinity Church in Elgin, said: "It is a bit surprising, but maybe they need the collection more than we do.
"Nobody was hurt, that’s the important thing."
Mr Ketley added he was not angry more disappointed the man had not asked for assistance.
Before moving to Moray, Mr Ketley’s previous parish was in Rochdale.
He said there were three estates in the town, as well as areas in his current parish where people living extremely hard lives did not have the economic means to thrive.
Mr Ketley added: "If you’re leaving school and not going on to uni where do you go?
"You’re either a success or a failure, look at TV.
"Most of us can’t be shining examples, but we can all be better people."
"We are coming up to the feast of the Assumption and I think of Mary - a single parent - and if God accepted Christ’s mother then maybe we need to relearn that lesson."
He added it was time for the church to look to the past and become more involved with communities and their social problems.
"We need to be there for people," said Mr Ketley.
"Sometimes we could and sometimes we can’t help, but it’s about being there.
"Maybe we need to be more present in the community and for those in need in our society."
Mr Ketley said there were no plans to change the open doors ethos at Holy Trinity.
Officers are currently investigating the church theft which took place at about 12.30pm hours on Sunday.
Anyone with information should contact Grampian Police on 0845 6005700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
