Stewardship - giving to St. John’s and

St Luke’s

Money isn’t everything, but it does rank up there with

oxygen and water! That applies as much for us

Christians as it does for those who do not share our

faith. Whereas having it can cause heartache around

what to do with it or how to hold onto it, not having it

can exclude us from achieving our full potential. A

church starved of sufficient resources, including

money,

cannot properly succeed in its work for God’s mission

in the world, both locally and further afield.

In 2023, it cost just around £310 every day for our par-

ish to meet all its commitments.

Nevertheless, our parish has continued to:

•

keep both our beautiful church buildings

maintained, heated and open for public worship,

visits, valuable and popular community lunches,

singing and accessible yoga;

• send our contribution to the Diocese’s “Common Fund” so that they can pay our vicar, look after the vicarage and even train our future priests; • provide regular financial and volunteer support for the Enfield Churches Debt Centre; • support the important work of the Children’s Society and the Church Urban Fund; • continue to support Bridge of Hope Children’s Ministry which is working to improve the life and opportunities for children in Uganda; • support the Enfield Food Bank with the food generously donated at the Harvest Festival; Our church buildings, parish and local community continue to face further challenges and uncertainty. Whilst gas prices have thankfully decreased, as all charities, including churches, are treated as businesses, we do not benefit from government schemes. After taking into account some essential extraordinary expenses, our budget for 2024 has a deficit of nearly £13,000. However, since Mthr Mitzi was appointed as our new vicar in June 2023 she has been working hard to resume active pastoral care and Christian teaching in our community and to continue to maintain God’s work and Mission in Clay Hill. One of her first actions has been to launch a monthly Bubble Church service for young families and children, the only one in Enfield.

So how does the Parish’s Stewardship Scheme

help?

In 2023, 40% of our parish’s income came from

pledged regular giving by the members of the parish’s

Stewardship Scheme which provided a dependable in-

come that enabled our parish to plan its finances

more accurately.

The Bible teaches us that our gifts should be propor-

tional to our means and income, but there are no ab-

solute rules for giving. In coming to your decision,

remember you will be giving to God, to further his

mission - it will be determined by how much you care

about Christ and the Stewardship of the Gospel both

in Clay Hill and elsewhere.

Here's a few things that people buy without giving a

second thought. Why not see how they compare to

your own giving and ask yourself if the balance is

right?

Sunday paper £1.60 - £4.00, TV licence £13 a month,

gallon of petrol £6.30 or a pint of draught beer £4.25,

cinema ticket £11.00 - £14.00

How can I give to St John’s and St Luke’s?

If you feel able to pledge a regular gift, please con-

sider joining the parish Stewardship Scheme.

You can choose to give in one of the following ways:

•

By setting up a standing order with your bank

(either monthly, quarterly or annually)

•

By cheque or cash using the Scheme’s numbered

green monthly envelopes or;

•

By cheque or cash at more extended intervals

(quarterly or annually).

Making a pledge to give a regular contribution is im-

portant for both the Treasurer in planning the parish’s

cash-flow and you - by helping you to be disciplined

and regular in your giving.

As a bonus, the Government’s Gift Aid Scheme en-

ables the parish to reclaim 25p income tax for every

£1 gifted – at no cost to the giver! Gift Aid can be used

by any taxpayer who makes either regular pledged

contributions scheme or occasional gifts using the yel-

low Gift Aid envelopes that can be found on every pew

in church.

Who will know what I give?

Whatever you decide and whatever your reason, your

giving will be very appreciated and your pledge will re-

main confidential - a matter between you and God.

Only the Parish Stewardship Recorder will have access

to the names of givers and the amount they give.

Who can I talk to if I have any question's?

If you need help over this or about other matters,

such as giving through your Will, please speak with the

Vicar, a Church Warden or the Stewardship Recorder.

So how can I arrange my giving?

1.

Complete the Personal Pledge Form and indicate

how you want to pay your contribution.

2.

If you pay income tax, please tick the “I am a UK

Tax Payer” box

3.

If you are able to pay by Standing Order (the

simplest for both you and the Parish!) set up a

Standing Order with your bank, either online, or

by completing the Banker’s Order Form and giv-

ing or sending it to your bank (not to us!).

4.

Send the Personal Pledge Form to the Parish

Stewardship Recorder, Mrs Marion Berry, at 22

Hillside Crescent, Enfield, EN2 0HR or via email to

marionhw@hotmail.co.uk

What will happen next? If you chose to pay using “Monthly Envelopes”, the Stewardship Recorder will send you a pack of 12 green Stewardship Envelopes, each of which is printed with the month and a unique number to ensure the confidentiality of your giving. If you chose to pay by Standing Order, the first payment should be made on the date you entered on the Banker’s Order Form.