CHARITIES WE SUPPORT
Each month a charity is nominated for support by the congregation. By this we seek to be alive to God's people and world by raising the equivalent of at least 10% (a tithe) of the gift income the church receives and giving it away. In 2007 we were able to forward to charities a sum representing 14% of our gift income.
Please join us in supporting the following charities during 2008:
- January Children's Society
- February Marie Curie Cancer Care
- March Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
- March Hope & Homes for Children
- April Brain Tumour UK
- May Concern
- June Church Urban Fund
- July Mission to Seafarers
- August CHICKS
- September Practical Action
- October Hope UK
- November CMS Link Partner, Sara
- November Poppy Appeal
- December Age Concern
- December Crisis
During 2007 the following charities were supported:
- Church Mission Society Link Partner £600
- Church Mission Society Boxes £568
- Church Mission Society £224
- World Vision £180
- Mission Aviation Fellowship £241
- Children's Society Boxes £453
- Children's Society £419
- RNIB (funeral) £158
- Bishop's Lent Appeal £89
- Forgotten Children £308
- Tenovus £395
- SCRATCH £216
- Cedar Oak £183
- Mission to Seafarers £265
- Action Water £539
- Lockswood Day Care Centre £144
- MS Research £210
- The Poppy Appeal £461
- Rowan's Hospice £259
- Cancer Research (funeral) £12
- The Salvation Army £202 Total: £6131
GIVING MONEY AT ST.MARY'S
CHRISTIAN GIVING
In 2008 members of the congregation were given a book called 'The Money Revolution' as we considered our response to God through the giving of money. The principles outlined in the book can be seen at www.themoneyrevolution.net
Through it we seek to be alive to God through our giving by
- affirming that everything belongs to the Lord
- being active in stewardship
- living within our resources
- building up treasure in heaven
- giving generously.
We are very grateful for all the giving of money which is offered to enable the life and ministry of the congregation to move forward at St.Mary's.
MONEY AT ST.MARY'S
What will St.Mary's cost in 2008?
With inflation and a £3049 increase in our Diocesan Common Share to £51321, our basic costs in 2008 will be some £92680.
This information plus more is avaialable in a leaflet at the back of St.Mary's Church.
EACH WEEK the basic cost of the church will be £1782. At current rates of giving our projected income per week is £1694. This will leave a shortfall of £ 88 per week; or £4576 over 2008.
You are invited to make a response or renew a previous pledge regarding giving to St.Mary’s at any time, our special focus on giving was on 22nd April 2008. 126 people out of an Electoral Roll of 200 members give in this planned way. Can you afford to make a regular gift to church? Can you increase what you already give to help with the shortfall and provide for our mission? Do you need to consider giving less because your circumstances have changed? All of these will be appropriate responses for different people.
There are different ways to give at St.Mary’s:
- You can give in the collection plate using cash or a white gift envelope for tax payers.
- You can have your own regular set of coloured envelopes so you can give in a planned way.
- You can give by Standing Order direct from your bank or building society
- You can write cheques to 'Hook with Warsash PCC.'
TAX If you are a tax payer then the church can, with your permission, receive 28p for every £1 you give back from the Inland Revenue. Will you let us have your permission by signing the form? Last year the church received nearly £10,395 back through Gift Aid.
Liz our Church Treasurer would be very happy to answer any enquiries with regard to Stewardship and Giving; her details are on the leaflet in church. She can provide you with the information and resources you need. Liz will write to regular givers each Spring so you have all the tax and other information you need.
Please note that the Vicar has a policy of not knowing any individual’s giving; such information is confidential to the Treasurer and her team. But, if you have any broader questions about giving, the principles or the church spending, then you are welcome to contact Revd Andy Norris.
GIVING OUR TIME & TALENTS AT ST.MARY'S
Our congregational community relies upon the sharing by it's members of their time and talents if we are to serve the Lord in our community. We are very grateful for all that people generously share of themselves in the congregation and wider community.
There are so many expressions of the life of the church in the community and it is the sharing of ourselves with others that our fellowship and discipleship grows. There are many ways to be alive to God through the offering of our time and talents. If you are passionate about an issue, or want to grow a new gift in ministry or worship, or simply want to chat about how to be involved then please chat to a friend whose already involved or contact Andy on vicar.warsash(at)btinternet.com
There is a 'Time & Talents' form available in church which has a whole list of areas of involvement which can be ticked if you'd like to get invovled.
