Giving to our Church - a message from Christopher Phillimore

In common with Christian churches down the ages, the work of our church and the upkeep of our places of worship depends upon the generous giving of the body of Christ.  Here at St Andrew's and St Bartholomew's I fulfil a volunteer role of Stewardship Advisor, communicating about and answering questions on the health of your giving and the careful way in which this income is used by the ministries in our church and beyond. We are grateful for a healthy church community with a giving heart in which members old and new give regularly.  

If you would like to set up regular giving for the first time there are a number of ways to do this.  Most commonly used is the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), a centrally administered Church of England service available both online and offline, that gives you full control.  The PGS also simplifies the financial administration for us including claiming gift aid, which is a great help to our finance team. We also have regular givers using a similar scheme called The Ephesian Fund - if you use the Ephesian Fund please direct giving specifically to our church rather than into the Ephesian 'general fund'.  Others simply prefer to set up a regular standing order directly into the church bank account, and some use their employer's salary sacrifice charity giving facility - a tax efficient way to give to charities - which is possible thanks to our status as a registered charity.

For more information and help pick up a blue giving leaflet in the concourse, speak to me in confidence, or contact me directly on 07734 822174 or at stewardship@stastb.church. 

I pray that God bless you for your generosity; and may He also bless our church so that our spending continues to be wise and fruitful in sharing the Gospel of salvation in Churchdown and beyond!