Financial Giving Information

Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 
For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7

St Lawrence’s Church

This page will introduce you to making financial gifts to this church.

So why does
St Lawrence’s Church
want my money?

The church, although it is the parish church for everyone who lives in the village and not only for those who attend services regularly, receives no funding at all from any governmental body nor external private institution or individual.  Its only source of income is what people choose to give, even if for occasional projects we can apply for specific grants.
One of the ways in which we show our love for God and our support for His work on earth through the local church, is by making financial gifts.  It is not the only way; we are also encouraged to give our time and talents, but financial giving is an important way to support the Church in the shared work of ‘Growing in Christian Faith and sharing it!

If it is so important, where does it say so in the Bible?

The Bible tells us that giving, in the context of church life and according to our means, is important. 

• 1 Corinthians 16:2 On every Lord’s Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for the offering and
• 2 Corinthians 8:12 God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you have not.
  

OK, but this church looks to be doing very well without my money, thank you.

Agreed.  We can be grateful that St Lawrence’s is a growing church, but this is only made possible by the finances we have at our disposal.  In 2016 it actually cost over £30,000 to run this church and its ministry, but that is only part of the story.

£30,000 a year – where does that go?

Building: it cost £8,200 to insure the building, maintain, heat and light it and provide a fund for future significant repairs.

Charities:  £1,500 was donated to the Christian and secular charities, particularly via special collections at Christmas, Remembrance and Easter services.

Clergy support: £4,700 was spent on supporting our priest to fulfill her ministry in the Parish and towards upkeep of The Rectory.

Organist/Musical Director: in 2016 it cost just over £2,500, most of which was the costs of the children’s choir music director.  This is the main area of growth in the church and we would like to invest more money in developing it and reaching more children and their families.

Repair funds: every so often the unexpected happens: like water coming in through the tower and damaging the plaster ceiling; or a vehicle reversing into the pillar outside the church and driving off. Repairing this damage costs more than repairing it if it were your own house because of restrictions on listed buildings, and various bodies with an interest in preserving historical buildings get involved, raising costs and expectations to ensure we leave the church in good condition for generations to come.

But all these costs are only part of the story.

… only part of the story?

By far the biggest cost, £14,700 was the contribution to the Diocese of Rochester towards the cost of Pat’s ministry in the parish. A significant sum, yes, but one that fell well short of the actual cost to the Diocese, which effectively means that ministry in the Parish is being subsidised by the Diocese and other parishes. This is unfair (and puts at risk our full time Priest-in-Charge). It may not be possible to contribute the full amount but we should strive to do better.

Who can I contact to talk about giving towards St Lawrence’s work?

Our Treasurer, Stephen Card, can be reached on 01622 812495 or by email s.cardinmereworth@yahoo.co.uk, 
or e-mail our administrator Jenifa, on jenifa.mereworth.westpeckham@gmail.com. 

Alternatively, you can contact our Priest, Rev'dGary Townsend on 01622 813178 .  Any member of the ministry team would be happy to help you in any way they can, whether on spiritual or more practical aspects of giving and the church finances.
 
All enquires and the amounts you give will remain confidential.

Surely this is someone else’s problem? 

Well, actually no.  We are all responsible for keeping the church running.  Almost 69% of our income, £27,000 came from voluntary gifts from our congregation; the balance from our valuable fundraising activities and statutory fees. BUT one third of voluntary gifts – £10,000 – comes from only 6 families even though across the month there are nearly 100 adults and children who benefit from the church and its activities. This puts an unfair burden on the few.  It is important that we all help to pay for what we receive, however much or little we can afford.

What should I do next?

Pray.
Decide how much you should give.

1. Complete a standing order mandate and Gift Aid Declaration
2. Update your giving;
   
3. Use the collection plates whenever you attend a service, giving realistically
4. Make a one-off donation for an anniversary or in memory of a loved one.
   

St Lawrence’s Church, Mereworth PCC

The Street, Mereworth, ME18 5LS
Phone: 01622 813178

Treasurer

Mr S. Card
01622 812495
s.cardinmereworth@yahoo.co.uk