Christ Church and St John
Finance and Stewardship
SECURING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER: STEWARDSHIP IN THE PARISH OF CHRIST CHUCH AND ST JOHN, CLAPHAM
“We are blessed, in our parish, to have two historic churches that are used by a host of Christian groups and community projects.
There are around 15 services per week throughout the year, plus additional worship and devotional activities at special times. All of this, inevitably, costs a lot of money and, whilst all the users do contribute, we, as a Christian community, have to consider our obligation of stewardship to ensure that our work continues into the future.
There is no more important work than proclaiming the Gospel, to lead people into lives of Christian discipleship. In 2010, the Parish will cost about £2000 per week to run. We are heavily dependant on grants and rental income from our halls; and currently run a deficit. In the current economic climate, we need to strengthen the stewardship provided from within - from the parish.Please consider how you can give more to the Church – by Gift Aiding, undertaking regular giving by standing order, making a one-off donation, or even leaving a bequest in your will.
You may have trade expertise, and be willing to offer your time, to help us reduce maintenance costs; or you may work for a business that would be able to give us a discount on goods or services. Everything helps! Giving For Life
If you would like to explore how you can better express your discipleship through stewardship, please come along to one of our Giving for Life seminars after Church on 27th June, 4th July, 18th July, and 25th July at Christ Church.”
HOW CAN WE GIVE?
Through our Planned Giving Scheme:
By Standing Order Money is transferred out of your bank account every month This can be very easy and convenient for everyone
By Envelopes We provide a series of numbered envelopes – one for each Sunday of the year The envelopes are put into the collection plate each Sunday If we miss a week, we can give that envelope when you’re next in church
PRAYER
Generous God, we remember Christ has no body on earth but ours. No hands but ours. No feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which He is to look at the world with compassion. Ours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Ours are the hands with which He is to bless others now. May we use all that we are, all that we have to reflect His love for all to all.
WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?
Stewardship is our planned, regular giving to which we commit each week.
What we give is between us and God, but God expects us each to take our share of responsibility.
The Bible teaches about Proportionate Giving and tithing. This is when we give a % of our income – so many pence for each £ of the money we take home.
This is the fair way to give whether our income is large or small.
The Church of England suggests that we give 5% of our income or 5p for every pound of our take-home pay. This means if our income is £100 per week, we would give £5 to the Church.
REMEMBER
What we give is a matter between us and God. What God expects of us is that we should each shoulder our responsibility as a member of the parish of Christ Church and St John to the best of our ability.
Our parish has a fine past and a great present. It should also have an exciting future.
The future of our parish is in our hands. We should consider carefully and prayerfully the response we should make.
We can secure the future – but we MUST secure it together!
NEXT STEPS
Review our giving. Are we able to give any more than we do at the moment?
Join our planned giving scheme so we can all contribute on a regular basis – whether we’re at church or not.
Sign up to Gift Aid. If we pay tax, the Inland Revenue will refund our parish 28p for each £ we give. This is ‘free’ money for the church at NO cost to you!