PARISH GIVING CORNER

							                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry

                                  GIFT AID IT!

Last year the Government sent this Parish £****, and what’s more they were
happy to do so. They hadn’t taken leave of their senses and the Christmas
spirit did not suddenly touch them. They were simply fulfilling a pledge to
encourage giving to charities.

Gift Aid allows us to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your giving. As
long as you have paid enough tax – on salaries, wages, pensions,
investments or capital gains – we can reclaim an extra 28p on every £1 you
give. This is at no further cost to you – you have paid the tax already.

There are catches, of course, but nothing to worry about:

   We must be able to prove that we have had the money from you. To
    qualify it must be given via the weekly envelope scheme, a standing order
    or inside a Gift Aid envelope.

   You complete one simple declaration that remains valid, until you cancel it.
    For “one-off” gifts, the declaration is on the front of the Gift Aid envelope.

Gift Aid is a wonderful opportunity that we cannot afford to miss out on.
Over 80% of people giving regularly on our Planned Giving Schemes (i.e.
weekly envelopes and Standing Order) have signed Gift Aid Declarations and
we are very grateful to them. If you are a regular giver and do pay tax, please
consider using Gift Aid to increase the value of your giving. If you sign a Gift
Aid Declaration we can even reclaim tax on some of your past giving.

Remember - money placed on the Collection Plate does not qualify and is a
missed opportunity. Gift Aid envelopes and pens are available at St Mary’s
and St George’s. The message is simple – Gift Aid it.

Please ask and we will be pleased to help on this or any aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry

                         A COMMITMENT TO GIVING

Passing the Offertory Plate is a long-standing tradition of the Church. It
developed in the days when most people were paid weekly in notes and
coins. Now nearly all of us have our income paid directly into a bank account,
and cash plays a less important role in our daily lives. The Offertory Plate can
also be a missed opportunity for taxpayers to maximise the value of their
giving – remembering to complete a Gift Aid envelope each time is a
challenging task for anyone,

The Offertory Plate still has an important role to play - for casual worshippers,
visitors and newcomers. Thankfully, many of our church members recognise
that regular and consistent giving is vital to the health of the Church and its
mission, and have joined our Planned Giving Scheme. This allows us
to budget for the future knowing more accurately what our income is likely to
be.

Our New Year message to everyone is to make a similar commitment to
giving. You can give via a standing order or by using weekly envelopes,
whichever suits you best. If you are a taxpayer, by signing one simple Gift Aid
Declaration the Parish can then reclaim the tax you have already paid on your
giving - at no extra cost to you.

Please ask and we will be happy to help on any aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


                     GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

In 2009 the Parish received **** from giving in its various forms. Of this ****
was given by those on our Planned Giving Scheme, and £**** was received
from the government under the Gift Aid legislation from our giving in 2008.
The Collection Plate brought £****, Donations £**** and, finally, £**** from the
Harvest Gift and Promise Weekends in October.

In a difficult year for the economy this was a welcome outcome and a very
sincere thank you to everyone for their generosity.

We wish that this could be the end of our message – but, unfortunately, it
cannot be. The financial challenges that face our Parish in 2010 are even
greater. Every one of us will need to examine our generosity and, if possible,
review our giving. Any increase we can afford, however small, will make a
difference to the Church, both locally and beyond. Also, if you have not
already done so, please consider joining our Planned Giving Scheme. Finally,
if you can – please Gift Aid it.

How much we give depends on many factors known only to ourselves, and is
a very personal decision. However, for those seeking guidance on giving, the
Wakefield Diocese has produced a green booklet “Giving money to support
the work of the Church” which explores both the spiritual and practical
aspects. Copies will be distributed during February.

In the next issue we will look at why we need to be generous and where the
money goes.

Please ask and we will be happy to help on any aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry

                      WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

There are three main reasons why the Parish needs us to be generous in our
giving. The first two you will know only too well from your own household
Accounts and the third is, by far, the largest element and represents over two
thirds of our Budget:

1. To meet day to day costs – gas, electricity, insurance etc.
2. To maintain our wonderful (and expensive) buildings and their contents
3. To meet our share of the Diocesan Common Fund (known also as the
   Parish Share).

The Diocesan Common Fund is the total cost of providing ministry and
mission throughout the Wakefield Diocese - in every Parish, rich or poor,
urban or rural. It also includes the costs incurred centrally by the Diocese.

This “pool” of costs is shared amongst all the Parishes within the Diocese
using a formula that reflects both the cost of providing clergy and supporting
them, and the ability of each Parish to pay. A key principle of the Diocesan
Common Fund is that all Parishes support each other. Without this financial
inter-dependency, some parts of the Diocese could not have paid clergy.

In practical terms, it does mean that the share this Parish pays has exceeded
the actual cost of providing ministry. Although the challenge of meeting the
Diocesan Common Fund weighs more heavily on us each year, we again paid
our share in full in 2009.

To find out more about why your giving matters, watch out for your AGM’s
(St.George 28th March, St. Mary 18th April) when the full financial picture for
2009 will be available.

If you did not get a copy of the Wakefield Diocese booklet on “Giving money
to support the work of the Church” please let us know. We will be happy to
help on this and any other aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                             PARISH GIVING CORNER

            Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


ITS NOT ALL ABOUT PAYING THE BILLS

It is all too easy to see Giving from a very practical point of view. We could be
forgiven for thinking that it is all about paying the bills, looking after the
buildings and, generally, balancing the books of the Church.

The “green” leaflet published by the Diocesan of Wakefield reminds us that
there is a much deeper meaning to Christian giving. Bishop Stephen recently
summed up Christian Giving, saying, “it’s what we do after we say ‘I believe’”.

We enter this world with nothing and we leave with nothing – we are stewards
of everything God has given us in between, as a trust. God gives each one of
us – time, talents, abilities, possessions, our money, indeed, our whole lives.
It is how we use these gifts in His service in return for what He has done for
us in Jesus Christ – is what really counts. It is a challenge and a privilege that
affects the whole of our lives as Christians.

“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting”.

There will, of course, always be a very down to earth side to Giving – the
Church needs money to fund its mission and ministry. And by the way did we
mention about that big hole we seem to have in our Budget for 2010 ……!!!!

Please ask if you want advice or information on any aspect of giving.


Clive Green            ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy        )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


     WHOEVER HAS A WILL, HAS A WAY TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL

Those of you who followed the BBC series “Heir Hunters” will know that two
thirds of people die without leaving a Will. Apart from their final wishes not
being carried out, it causes families and friends hassle and unnecessary
expense. If you really love the people you want to receive your estate then
you should make a Will.

For nearly 500 years since the first edition of the Book of Common Prayer the
Church of England has encouraged people to make a Will as part of their
Christian stewardship.

Having made a Will, it can quickly become out of date containing old
addresses and no longer reflecting your assets and possessions. Family
circumstances, personal needs and wishes also change over time. It is
important, therefore, that your Will is reviewed periodically and kept up to
date.

Leaving a gift to the Church can be a final opportunity for Christians to say
thank you to God for all the blessings we have enjoyed during our lives. It
enables us to make a lasting contribution to the future development of mission
and ministry, helping to secure the work of the Church for future generations.

Over the years the PCC has been grateful to many parishioners who have left
gifts in their estates, and the PCC will always try to use these wisely and in
line with the donor’s wishes. You can specify your wishes exactly, or
preferably, leave your local Church the flexibility to decide how best to use
your gift.

The Church of England offers packs, guides, advice and information for
anyone wanting to make a Will. Please ask if you want help on this or any
other aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                       PARISH GIVING CORNER
           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


                                 WHAT IF?
If you attended one of the Annual General Meetings or have read the recent
minutes of DCC meetings you will be well aware how every penny will be
crucial to us over the next twelve months and beyond. It isn’t just a case of
increasing our giving – but also ensuring that the Parish gets the maximum
value from what we give now.

Last year the Parish received **** in giving on which we were unable to claim
back tax under Gift Aid. We know this is unrealistic but – what if we had been
able to claim Gift Aid on every penny? It would have brought in an extra £****
– at no cost to anyone, and what is more the government would have been
happy to send it to us. More realistically, what if we had been able to claim
Gift Aid on just half – we just cannot afford to lose out on £****.

The message is – Gift Ad It. If you do pay tax – on a salary, a wage, a
pension, an investment or a capital gain, we can claim back an extra 28p on
every £1 you give. This is at no cost to you because you have paid the tax
already. It does not matter how large or how small the gift is – remember
every penny counts.

If you have not already joined, please consider giving via the weekly envelope
scheme or better still via a standing order. All you then do is complete one
simple Gift Aid declaration that remains valid until you cancel it.

For taxpayers preferring to give on the Offertory Plate please put your gift
inside a Gift Aid envelope and complete the declaration on the front. Do not
waste any opportunity to maximise your giving or the giving of others. Gift Aid
envelopes and pens are available at St Mary`s and St George’s

Please ask and we will be happy to help on this and any aspect of giving.

Clive Green         ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy     )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


                GIVING TO A NEED OR NEEDING TO GIVE?

Today we are confronted with a myriad of adverts on TV, radio, billboards and
magazines promoting a better and more affluent lifestyle. Charities are also
becoming equally professional with novel, imaginative and compelling ways of
touching our hearts and inviting us to make a difference.

Against this background one might easily think - is it any wonder the Church
is struggling to compete with its approach that seems to focus on ensuring the
survival of an institution.

If Christian giving is narrowly perceived as simply getting the money in to pay
the bills, then it will always seem to be about parting reluctant givers from their
money. A kind of tax on faith. A compulsory tip to God for spiritual services
rendered,

But Christian giving is much, much more dynamic than that. Our faith should
nurture us as givers so we are not simply giving to a need – but more needing
to give. Christians give because they know the grace of God poured out to
them in Christ. Giving that speaks of all that we have received from God.
Giving that is focussed on the mission and ministry of the Church, and on
making a difference in the lives of people both now and in the future.

Please ask and we will be happy to help on any aspect of giving.

Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )
                          PARISH GIVING CORNER

           Responding to God’s love enabling mission and ministry


                     LET THE BANK TAKE THE STRAIN

The banking system has taken of lot of criticism lately for the role it played in
our current economic woes. Despite this our major banks continue to play an
ever increasing and important role in our daily lives. Nearly all of us have our
income, whether it is a pension, salary, or investment income, paid directly
into a bank account. We pay most of our bills – mortgage, council tax,
electricity, gas, insurance etc. direct from a bank account. We see very little
of our money in actual notes and coins.

In many ways this is a good thing – less security worries, less paper to deal
with, and less hassle.

Many parishioners already give using a standing order. It saves them time
and trouble. It saves our hard working Treasurers the time and effort in
counting cash and, most important, removes the worry of making sure the
cash is safely transported to the bank. It also helps to cut our stationery costs
and saves paper for the environment. It really does make sense to let the
bank take the strain

Simply complete one of our Standing Order Forms with whatever amount or
frequency of transfer you choose (monthly, quarterly or annually). You can
cancel this at any time by calling your bank.

Please ask if you want advice or information on this or any other aspect of
giving.


Clive Green          ) Parish Giving Officers
Roger Kenworthy      )