WAYS TO GIVE TO THE CHURCH

The foundation Jesus said give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you. Luke 6 v 38

THE FACTS
Here in Crofton Parish, God has given us a job to do, and anything you give - time, skills, money - goes towards supporting God’s work in and through this church. Our offerings flow from our thankfulness to God, for all he has done for us.

Whether or not we take a collection at one of our services we believe, as the Bible teaches, that our giving should be planned and regular, after thought and prayer. There is no way a church can be effective if financed from the change in people’s pockets! In fact, the proportion of our giving is far more important than the amount.

The Bible suggests we give a tenth of our disposable income, many interpret that as a tenth after tax and mortgage/rent is paid.

THE FIGURES 
It costs more than £250,000 a year to run Holy Rood; that’s over £5,500 a week, which seems a great deal of money (and doesn't include all the extra funds needed for ongoing building maintenance at St Edmund's). Here are the main areas of expenditure:

A. Quota (or "parish share")
45% of our expenditure goes to meet our parish quota, our annual payment to Portsmouth diocese. All parishes are required to pay quota. 80% of quota goes to clergy stipends, housing, insurance and pension contributions. The Diocesan budget receives no funding from the Church Commissioners.

B. Day to day running costs
  • training for outreach
  • All utilities (gas, water, phone etc)
  • Children and young people’s work
  • Clergy expenses
  • Administrator’s salary and office upkeep
  • Youth Minister's salary
  • Insurances
  • cleaning and caretaking

C. Maintenance
Repair and general maintenance of buildings and equipment.

D. Mission
Our aim, as a church, is to give 10% of our income to mission. At the end of each year the figure is calculated and given to various mission organisations locally and abroad.

THE FORMS 

Regular giving is so helpful because we then know our dependable income for the year ahead. If you pay tax please consider giving a regular amount, through Gift Aid, by standing order - your gift is increased by 28% at no extra cost to you. It’s easy to do - fill in one of the simple forms from the stand in the Centre foyer and hand it in to church office. The tax refunds we receive make a huge difference. You can be released from your standing order any time your circumstances change - your agreement is with the church, not the Inland Revenue. If you are not a taxpayer you can still give by standing order, or use the Envelope Scheme - Josephine Rigg is the person to see for that.

FINALLY

There is no membership fee to belong to the church - each of us must decide for ourselves, after prayer, how much to give. If we give as God guides us he blesses us and more than meets our needs. If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about your giving, please fill in one of the response forms available at the Holy Rood or from the church office.

Anyone from the treasury team would be delighted to speak to you.

Please click here to return to the Finance page