Letters:True significance

Sir: Jim White feels that 1.1 million people attending a Church of England service each Sunday is not even "remotely significant" ("Death of the British Sunday", 19 December).

Even leaving aside the millions who attend church through other denominations, I find it remarkable that the Church of England still maintains mission and ministry in every part of the country, and even more remarkable that so many people are prepared togive so generously of their time and money to do just that.

Is the fact that more people now go to Sainsbury's as "significant" as he suggests? Buying food is an individual functional activity, like brushing your teeth. Far more people brush their teeth every Sunday than visit Sainsbury's. Does that make it even more significant?

Yours faithfully, MARTIN GORICK Warley, West Midlands 19 December