A few weeks ago, our Bible readings opened up for us the theme of God’s generosity and I preached a sermon entitled ‘The God Behind You’: like a stream that gives out generously because it has a reservoir behind it somewhere in the hills above, we too can give generously of our time and resources if we know that we have a ‘gracious God’ behind us.
I would love it if you might listen to this particular sermon. It includes reference to Jesus’ pithy statement “freely you have received, freely you have received” (Matt. 10:8); and I hope it might inspire you to review your annual giving to for the work of Christ in the Itchen Valley parish.
After that same service, David Anderson, our treasurer, said a few words on this topic and these are now repeated here. People found them helpful and I hope you do too.
I have not talked about money in a church service for some time and Peter and I thought it would be helpful if I just set out very briefly how the Itchen Valley churches are financed. Contrary to what some people might think or believe we get no support from the state although we are a registered charity.
Priests are paid directly by the diocese and we all pay what is called ‘common mission fund’ to the diocese. Our share for the Itchen Valley is around £75,000 per year. It is worked out by the diocese (not on what most would expect which is the number on the Electoral Roll) but primarily on the basis of what is called ‘the worshipping community’ which here is around 120 people.
The total costs of the parish are around £150,000 per annum – that is the common mission fund, plus other main items such as the parish office, utilities, churchyards, music and organists.
Our funds come from regular giving (around £100,000) , collections, fund-raising, fees for weddings and funerals and one-off donations. I thank all who give in whatever way that is.
It is regular giving that is the bedrock of our finances and most people find the ‘parish giving scheme’ the easiest way to give. The link to this can be found on the Donate page of our website or by clicking here.
I am always happy to talk in more detail about our finances or how we are doing. My message this morning was simply to give an overview of parish finances and to encourage all who are giving or would like to give to pray about how they can contribute financially to the Lord’s work in this parish.