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Every year we ask our Church members to review their giving. This is an opportunity to consider what we give every week or month, some of us by Direct Debit and others in cash.
We ask that everyone of us might consider whether we could increase our financial commitment, or alternatively, as financial situations change, maybe even reduce their giving, which I did when I retired from stipendiary ministry.
I hear people from both inside the Church and outside saying, ‘Doesn’t the Church have billions of pounds invested? ’ To which the answer is yes, but that does not directly benefit the local Church at all. The money invested is there to cover future pension costs and to make sure that the national Church can continue to be viable in the future. Although there are voices beginning to say that some of the invested funds should be put back into the hands of the Dioceses of the Church to help fund Parishes, but this is still speculation.
Our Costs
Every Parish Church is expected to pay the costs of its Clergy, including housing and pension contributions, plus to contribute to the running of the Diocese. Which means that Sheffield Diocese would like over £70,000 from us, which we cannot afford, so we contribute around £45,000, which is still £900 per week before we pay expenses, upkeep and energy costs. Churches that cannot make a meaningful financial contribution usually find themselves sharing a Clergy person with others in a similar situation.
“We want to secure the services of our own Vicar into the future.”
The need to review our giving and, where possible, increase it is because things increase in cost, a point we all are aware of, plus sadly, as people die or move away, their giving stops, and we need to cover these changes.
We want to secure the services of our own Vicar into the future, and to offer to the wider community those activities that help us to engage with them. Plus, we currently employ a children’s and families worker, Rachel, who has transformed our services that relate to non-Church families, introduced us to Messy Church, started a youth group, and engaged with Schools in Wath and Brampton. The difference that she and those who work with her have made is immeasurable and is one of the reasons why new faces are often seen in Church.
Our Gift Day is 13th July
All I want to do is paint a picture of why we have a Gift Day every year and why it is necessary to ask if each of us can give more, but we are only asking. I could quote numerous Biblical verses and put people on a ‘guilt trip’ to try to put the squeeze on, but that would not be fair or honourable.
July 13th is our Gift Day this year, possibly you will have received an envelope that you can put your gift in, but if not, there are other ways to give, one is by scanning the QR Code accompanying this article or click the llnk below.
We ask that you first consider whether you can increase your monthly/weekly giving. Secondly, would you prayerfully consider what one-off gift you might make, that can hopefully be included on July 13th.
I can only let you know that, from my experience, God is no person’s debtor, and that if you honour God, then God will honour you.
Every Blessing
John
Here’s where you can donate to our cause.
Featured image courtesy of Unsplash