Last autumn the PCC spent some time considering how to meet the running costs of Hampstead Parish Church (currently �245,330 p.a.) as unfortunately we now have a yearly shortfall in giving of �30,000 p.a. This translates into �575 per week. This has been quite a headache, as everyone is aware that the current economic downturn has made life difficult countrywide, especially for those on lower incomes or with mortgages and the concerns of raising a family. No-one is immune.
The parish rose to the challenge of raising a notable sum to fund the very successful refurbishment of the crypt, motivated by the tangible improvements this would bring to us all. We can be rightly proud of this achievement, whatever the nature of our contribution. Of course this project and the former project of cleaning and repainting the railings round the Churchyard and the Additional Burial Ground inspire us because we can identify with them quite readily and see in 3D the results, whereas running costs are definitely low profile.
I began to ask myself what do we mean by running costs? Well, what makes the church tick? Are we prepared to give more to support the maintenance of the daily services, the parish administrator, cleaning (insofar as it is not done by the cleaning volunteers), the choir and music, heating, lighting and most importantly the stipends* of the clergy?
I started to wonder what the raison d�etre is for church attendance? What makes me go to church? The answer is definitely to worship God, to be inspired by the ministry of the word and to keep my spirit in good shape. To do this our church must pay its fundamental running costs. We cannot rely solely on the Common Fund (though we benefit from it) as its resources are linked to contributions made by individual parishes. Some poorer ones are often, year on year, unable to pay their contributions in full.
I then asked myself is this a rich parish? Our church definitely sits in an area populated by high earners, but of higher value is the rich abundance of fellowship we have on offer plus social events of every kind – a great joy to participate in – and which I have greatly appreciated over the many years I have worshipped at St John�s.
The number or parishioners on the electoral roll of the parish is now 407. The stewardship secretary has told me that of that number 160 contribute through the committed giving scheme. The surprise is that there are some ex-parishioners who moved away years ago, but continue to support us through the giving scheme, so what can we do?
In the modern world we have, I believe, become weary of the never ending flow of requests for donations, fund raising and sponsored walks/runs � you name it. Donor fatigue is the phrase used. I am old enough to remember attending Sunday School when we had a flat rate contribution to the collection of one old penny, which has no equivalent in modern coinage but might be viewed as the widow�s mite. Now I am beginning to feel like a fixture in the congregation rather than a young and vibrant member (tempus fugit) but I know that the voice of a younger parishioner to whom I have spoken on this subject, now joins mine in inviting everyone to consider giving an extra �1.50 per week to close the funding gap. Though I accept that not everyone on the electoral roll is able to respond to this challenge, on a week by week basis this adds up to slightly more than the target figure of �575.
Some givers are not UK tax payers, but those members of the congregation who are, and are able to give using the blue Gift Aid envelopes (available in the pews or at the back of the church) will know that their additional contributions are increased by the amount of standard rate tax recoverable by the church (currently 28p in the �).
The most effective way to give is through the committed giving scheme, making regular monthly payments by way of standing order. Details are available via Inigo Woolf (Treasurer) on [email protected] or Chris Cole (Stewardship) on [email protected]
Beryl Dowsett
* Clergy are paid a stipend rather than a wage – it doesn�t represent the work done, the hours put it, the expertise they bring, but is �a form of monetary payment enabling them to be exempt partly or wholly from waged or salaried employment in order to undertake a role that is normally unpaid, (e.g. a magistrate in England), or voluntary, or which cannot be measured in terms of a task (e.g. members of the clergy). Stipends are usually lower than what would be expected as a permanent salary for similar work. This is because the stipend is complemented by other benefits such as accommodation.� Wikipedia