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

What shall I put on the plate?

The new boxes of Offering Envelopes begin this month. Here are some common questions on them:

Why do churches have them?

For four reasons:

They help us do what St Paul says: "On the day you get paid, set aside a proportion of your income for the Lord's work." (1 Cor 16:3, but I've paraphrased it a bit). When it's pay-day you already have an envelope for the cash.
They help us keep track of our giving. The date on the envelope tells us if we've given that week.
They keep our giving between us and God because others can't then see the notes or coppers we put on the plate.
"Gift Aid" requires them, as they provide the audit trail which the Inland Revenue needs to see.

So should all church members use them?

If you get paid monthly directly into your bank, it's probably easier to use a Bank Standing Order, and that's what we ask you to do. If you get your pay or pension weekly in cash we ask you to use envelopes.

How much do they cost me?

Nothing - we buy a job lot each year, and we always have some spares, so there's no extra cost in you using them.

How much money should I put in them?

Your giving is between you and God, but the bible says ...

God loves a cheerful giver.
"He who gives much loves much, but he who gives little loves little" (said Jesus).
"Our desire is that there should be equality, everyone giving a fair share" (said St Paul).
"Bring in the full tithe (tenth), and see if I won't bless you".

And here are some local facts on money:

In Bradford Diocese, we at St Luke's are way down the "giving per unit income" league - bottom-third division, not premier league at all.
The costs of running our church is about Ł11 per member per week,
They calculate the Parish Share mostly on numbers who come to church. It's about Ł5 per head per week plus Ł28 per electoral roll member per year,
If everyone put Ł2 per week in the collection we would be about Ł30,000 in the red each year. We really need those who put Ł2 in to think about putting Ł5 in instead.

How do I get envelopes?

You ask Evelyn.

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 2004, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (December 2004) Vicar's letter, Offerings, Daily Prayer, Poem. Other articles on money.	What shall I put on the plate? The new boxes of Offering Envelopes begin this month. Here are some common questions on them: Why do churches have them? For four reasons: They help us do what St Paul says: "On the day you get paid, set aside a proportion of your income for the Lord's work." (1 Cor 16:3, but I've paraphrased it a bit). When it's pay-day you already have an envelope for the cash. They help us keep track of our giving. The date on the envelope tells us if we've given that week. They keep our giving between us and God because others can't then see the notes or coppers we put on the plate. "Gift Aid" requires them, as they provide the audit trail which the Inland Revenue needs to see. So should all church members use them? If you get paid monthly directly into your bank, it's probably easier to use a Bank Standing Order, and that's what we ask you to do. If you get your pay or pension weekly in cash we ask you to use envelopes. How much do they cost me? Nothing - we buy a job lot each year, and we always have some spares, so there's no extra cost in you using them. How much money should I put in them? Your giving is between you and God, but the bible says ... God loves a cheerful giver. "He who gives much loves much, but he who gives little loves little" (said Jesus). "Our desire is that there should be equality, everyone giving a fair share" (said St Paul). "Bring in the full tithe (tenth), and see if I won't bless you". And here are some local facts on money: In Bradford Diocese, we at St Luke's are way down the "giving per unit income" league - bottom-third division, not premier league at all. The costs of running our church is about Ł11 per member per week, They calculate the Parish Share mostly on numbers who come to church. It's about Ł5 per head per week plus Ł28 per electoral roll member per year, If everyone put Ł2 per week in the collection we would be about Ł30,000 in the red each year. We really need those who put Ł2 in to think about putting Ł5 in instead. How do I get envelopes? You ask Evelyn. John Hartley
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