STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
St. Giles Giving: 'it’s Got To Be Worth It!
We have named this appeal, Our St.Giles: it’s got to be worth it!, because we are sure that you would agree that we are always happy to support the things that are valuable and important to us in life. We hope that you will find the following information interesting and helpful as we all reflect together on how we can play our part in supporting our fantastic church in response to God’s love for us.
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This request for your support does not come from the clergy but from us, the members of this committee, your fellow worshippers. Like you we believe that what we have at St. Giles is unique and special. We value it and so we are counting on you to express your value in a practical way that will enable the missions and ministry of our church to continue and grow. |
We know that if every single one of us contributes and does our bit then the burden is shared amongst us all. It maybe that you feel you have given as much as you can over several decades and that you are now no longer able to do as much as you would like. In this case do not feel guilty, but please do return to us the ‘not able to respond form’.
A global figure can seem daunting so we have broken this down into small steps, and it would be wonderful if we could increase our regular giving by the price of a cappuchino a week. Even better if we give by Gift Aid so we can reclaim any tax you have paid.
So, let us rise to the challenge and say ‘I am happy to put my money and my time where my heart is. My heart is for God and St Giles; I love and value them both, because here at St Giles it’s got to be worth it!’
Finally, thank you so much for all your support and help today
and in years past.
Yours sincerely, The St Giles: it’s got to be worth it! planning
committee:
Mrs Mary Compton - Treasurer
Mr John White - Finance Committee
Mr Paul Barnes - Church Warden
Mrs Ailsa Chapman - PCC Member
Miss Heather Argent - Pastoral Assistant
Mr Paul Beamiss - Covenant and Gift Aid secretary
The Rev.d Matthew Hughes - Rector of St. Giles
We are conscious that there are sensitive feelings around the issue of what we give to our church and God’s work. Below we have tried to address some of the questions which often arise.
The Church of England has thousands of pounds. It is one of the richest landowners in the country and all they do is ask for money
Nationally the church does indeed have a large
property portfolio and investment income. However these are the
historical resources which the church has for providing on-going
ministry to the whole nation today. To liquidise them now would
destroy the church of tomorrow. The Church of England exists for the
benefit of both its members and non-members. At a local level the
average parish church attempts to provide ministry to the whole
parish irrespective of whether the people come to church or not.
This costs money, time and human recourses. There is very little
financial help from the centre, as much of the national church’s
resources are committed to clergy pension commitments and supporting
poorer dioceses.
We cannot deprive the next generation of our inheritance from
previous generations.
Why don’t we raise the money by raffles, fetes and other fund-raising?
All these activities have a place in the life of the Church and are very well run and supported here, but in themselves they are not an adequate response to the needs of our parish and to God’s love of us. In a raffle we give with the hope of receiving something in return, and at fetes and jumble sales we collect, sell, buy and barter. Certainly this increases fellowship, but raising money in this way is unpredictable, requires great effort and is giving to get back. Stewardship asks us to give to God for the sake of giving. As St. Paul once said, ‘God loves a cheerful giver’.
We do have enough money for the parish, but the Diocese takes it all!
On Sundays we affirm our belief in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The word catholic means universal and reminds us that we are part of a Church that exists in other countries and continents. In a good family, members pull together for the common good. We have a responsibility to aid and support the wider church, its administration and its mission. The Diocese is not the enemy, rather they are our brothers and sisters in Christ trying to do their work and fulfil their calling. No parish is an island unto itself.
The Parish is wasteful of resources. Why don’t they cut back?
The P.C.C. and the Finance team together with our paid staff work hard to ensure that we are good stewards of our resources. To cut back or down-size will lead us into a position of diminishing returns and may indicate a lack of faith, trust and confidence in each other, and in God’s provision. In the past ten years there have been two stewardship campaigns, a very natural and necessary part of the life of a parish.
The clergy are often going on about money. I thought they were supposed to be involved in ministry
Recently, the forthcoming Stewardship Campaign was
described to the Rector as ‘Your Stewardship Campaign’. In fact it
is Our Stewardship Campaign, for surely The Responsibility Is Ours.
The clergy become involved with a Stewardship Campaign because Jesus
makes it very clear in the Gospels that how we use our money and our
possessions is a spiritual matter. Also the clergy are called to
minister faithfully
to their parishioners encouraging and equipping the congregation for
the task of spreading the Christian message. To do this clergy and
people need to work together; it is a common effort. If the church
finances are in deficit we are all hindered in the work that God has
called us to perform. Several Rectors and associate clergy have
ministered to members of our congregation over the years. Clergy
minister for a time
and a season, but the continuity and strength of the parish spring
from the congregations down through the years. My Church! Your
Church! Our Church!
I am on a fixed income and unable to consider giving any more
The support of many in St. Giles over the years has
been faithful and generous. Those of us who go out of our way to
make a difference in the world feel over-whelmed at times with
constant requests for money from charities. On top of this,
household bills and outgoings rise, whereas our incomes remain the
same or
even decrease. How we use our resources is between us and God. We
all have choices to make about what we support and to what extent.
God calls us to reflect on our priorities - what is a necessity,
what is a luxury. Do we give God the best or the leftovers, the
first fruits or what remains? £2 per person per week is the price of
a cappuchino. Do we give God what is left or what is right?
Well, how much should I give?
Debate varies in the church amongst those who apply
the Old Testament concept of one-tenth of a person’s income
embracing all giving both to the church and charities: some suggest
1/10th gross, some 1/10th net.In the New Testament we see how the
grace of God in Jesus Christ supersedes the Old Testament
law.Strictly speaking a tenth is only where the old law gets us. If
we are looking for a yardstick it may be that
we could never put a price on all God has done for us. Obviously our
giving will be in relation to our income, circumstances and
priorities.
Stewardship is not only about income and finances
but also touches the offerings that we make of our time, energy,
gifts and talents. St. Giles has been, and is, spectacularly blessed
with good and faithful service offered by many people in different
and hidden ways week in and week out. Many of our volunteers are now
in their 70s and are wishing to do less but feel guilty about giving
up when there is no
one behind them to take over. Once again we are called to reflect on
how we use our time, and what percentage of it we give for the
church’s work. Whether we are 10 or 100, if we all give a little
time then the burden on the few is lightened. There are many
potential areas of service arranged under the following headings:
Learning, Worship, Pastoral (with training), Administration,
Practical.
If you would like to know more about offering your time and talents, please see the ‘Your Time, Your Skills, Our Church, Our Work’ form on this website. If you would like to increase your giving, please use the ‘Planned Giving - Response Pledge’ form,
Both of these forms are available on the Downloads page of this website. After completion forms should be returned to the Parish Office.
Thank you in Christ for all your help and support.
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