St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Boxes full of little envelopes

At around this time of year you can see little boxes full of envelopes waiting for people to collect them from the back of church. They can be very mysterious if you don’t know what they’re about!

What are they? They’re called Freewill Offering Envelopes, and each box has 53 envelopes in it, one for each Sunday of the year (1st December 2002 to 30th November 2003).

Why do we have them? Because in the bible, St Paul asks Christians to put aside some of their money on the first day of each week (which was pay-day) (1 Cor 16:2). So the idea is that when you get your pay or pension or whatever, you can put some of it aside straight away to give back to God.

Suppose I get paid monthly? You can still use the envelopes - just use the first one for each month and throw the others away. However, you might like to think about making a Standing Order out to the church from your bank account: it’s a lot less fiddly and difficult to remember.

Do I have to stick to the printed dates? No - the dates are for your guidance - the church only records the day the money was received, not the date printed on the envelope.

Is it confidential? Yes. Each set of envelopes has a number on it, known only to you and the issuer. The amounts are recorded, but the person counting the money does not know which envelope belongs to whom. In fact, the envelope also keeps your giving private when you hand it in onto the plate.

Suppose I get really behind? Simple - put what you want to give into the next envelope, throw all the previous ones away, and start giving again. God is not bothered about you feeling guilty about the past, and the counters would far rather count some notes than lots of change in lots of envelopes.

What is “Gift Aid”? If you pay income tax and sign a form, we can claim back 28p from the government for each Ł1 you give. But you must sign the form and the money must go in the envelope or be traceable some other way.

Don’t you find these envelopes fiddly? Personally I do - I use a Standing Order - but many people find them helpful. Why not try them and see?

How much do they cost? They are free to you. We buy a standard pack of boxes each year, so it costs us no extra for you to have a box.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. December 2002, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles. Money: index, Why I tithe, Off the top, Clergy pay, Pay for roof, Envelopes, Stewardship. In this issue: (December 2002) Vicar's Letter, Envelopes, Christmas Hymns, Question, Stewardship.	Boxes full of little envelopes At around this time of year you can see little boxes full of envelopes waiting for people to collect them from the back of church. They can be very mysterious if you don’t know what they’re about! What are they? They’re called Freewill Offering Envelopes, and each box has 53 envelopes in it, one for each Sunday of the year (1st December 2002 to 30th November 2003). Why do we have them? Because in the bible, St Paul asks Christians to put aside some of their money on the first day of each week (which was pay-day) (1 Cor 16:2). So the idea is that when you get your pay or pension or whatever, you can put some of it aside straight away to give back to God. Suppose I get paid monthly? You can still use the envelopes - just use the first one for each month and throw the others away. However, you might like to think about making a Standing Order out to the church from your bank account: it’s a lot less fiddly and difficult to remember. Do I have to stick to the printed dates? No - the dates are for your guidance - the church only records the day the money was received, not the date printed on the envelope. Is it confidential? Yes. Each set of envelopes has a number on it, known only to you and the issuer. The amounts are recorded, but the person counting the money does not know which envelope belongs to whom. In fact, the envelope also keeps your giving private when you hand it in onto the plate. Suppose I get really behind? Simple - put what you want to give into the next envelope, throw all the previous ones away, and start giving again. God is not bothered about you feeling guilty about the past, and the counters would far rather count some notes than lots of change in lots of envelopes. What is “Gift Aid”? If you pay income tax and sign a form, we can claim back 28p from the government for each Ł1 you give. But you must sign the form and the money must go in the envelope or be traceable some other way. Don’t you find these envelopes fiddly? Personally I do - I use a Standing Order - but many people find them helpful. Why not try them and see? How much do they cost? They are free to you. We buy a standard pack of boxes each year, so it costs us no extra for you to have a box. John Hartley
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