Over recent years we have talked about our financial giving as a normal part of our worshipping life, as we express our gratitude to God for all He has done for us - and all that He has entrusted to us. And we are having our annual focus on this aspect of our Discipleship during October. We appreciate some will not be able to give very much at all (cf. "the widow's mite") - but it's important that we all think about this together.
For those who saw the Vision 2030 Progress Presentation a few weeks ago (you can review it on the next page) - you will know that we are in a mixed position financially. Thanks to Esme and Graham Teale's legacy we have money in the bank. This is wonderful! However, because this is one-off non-recurring funding, the Church Council has committed to only spend this money on step-changes which will develop the long-term ministry and fabric of St Michael's - rather than on the day-to-day running of the church.
More concerning is that we have an underlying and recurring deficit of somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000 each year. This has arisen from our healthy determination to improve our outreach through children's work and schools work, but which has never been covered by our regular giving.
Whilst our first priority remains finding the finance to support our work at St Michaels and the other benefice churches the PCC have decided that this year, we also want to support the important work of our Mission Partners. They have therefore agreed that 10% of everything raised through our Thanksgiving Gift Sunday will be passed on to our Mission Partners, The North Cotswold Food Bank, Grassroots Rwanda and Mission Macedonia.
On Sunday 18th October - everyone should have received a pledge form - either to return on the day - or over the next few weeks. However, you can download one by clicking the button above.
Obviously, it would be great to see this deficit gap closed through regular giving (Parish Giving Scheme) - but I have been so blown away by all that our church family has sacrificially given over the past 3 years' gift days - that I'm just grateful for any gift - given in any way!! Thank you to you all, Tim.
