Giving

Why is St Mary's Church important?

St Mary's church is a vital part of our community. Week by week we welcome people to be married here or bring their children to be baptised and we share their joy. Week by week we are privileged through our ministry to offer support to those who have lost loved ones. Week by week we meet to worship, to pray and provide many activities for all ages open to our community.

Why do you need my help?

It is important that St Mary's Church can meet its day to day bills for our building, the insurance, the heating, and our clergy and to continue to provide the range of activities that makes up the life of our church. You many not realise that as of September 2011, these costs amount to over £1,400 per week.

Don't you receive income from Weddings and other Church Services?

We do receive money from weddings and funerals and from hall hire, but the vast majority comes from our regular church members giving faithfully each week through their envelopes or standing orders.

What can I do to help?

Join our confidential planned giving scheme either by taking our weekly giving envelopes or by setting up a monthly standing order, whichever is most convenient to you.

This will help us to plan how much income we will have and will help you to give regularly in support of your church.

Will my donations be eligible for Gift Aid?

If you are a UK tax payer, we can receive an additional 25p for every £1 you are giving – or have given. That really can make a difference!

This is because the government’s Gift Aid scheme allows us to reclaim tax on donations. For your donation(s) to be eligible for Gift-Aid you must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax for each tax year that is at least equal to the tax that we reclaim on your donations in that tax year. You can find out more by visiting the HMRC Gift Aid site.

You will need to fill in, sign and return to us an ongoing Gift Aid declaration if you have not done so already.

Who will know the details of my donations?

All financial matters regarding donations are confidential to the Stewardship co-ordinator.

How do I become a regular giver?

If you feel able to join either of the regular giving schemes, please contact the stewardship co-ordinator for a standing order mandate form or complete and return the envelope scheme form (see the box marked 'Forms' opposite).

If you need any further information or want to talk this through please do not hesitate to contact our stewardship co-ordinator:

Jane Hughes

0118 973 1489