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

In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition...

Little envelopes?

Q. Why do you have little white envelopes that people put in the collection plate?

A. We have little white envelopes for three reasons.

First, St Paul told the first Christians (in 1 Corinthians 16) that if they wanted to give to support God’s work, they should put aside some money on the first day of each week (i.e. pay day) so there wouldn’t have to be a big scrabble round when money was needed. So the envelopes are to help those who get paid weekly to put part of their pay aside. Each envelope has a date on it, so that people can keep track of where they’re up to. (But the dates are only for your own convenience - no-one records whether you’re up to date or not.)

Second, they prevent people getting embarrassed. Some can give more than others. If someone puts Ł40 into an open plate, someone else might feel ashamed he can only afford Ł10 that week. God knows our hearts but we don’t really want everyone else looking too. The envelopes prevent that.

And third, for the people who pay tax, the government’s Gift Aid scheme allows charities to reclaim the tax on what taxpayers have given. If you’re paid Ł1 gross then 20p is taken off it before you ever see it: if you give church the 80p, then we can reclaim the 20p from the Inland Revenue. But only if we can prove to the Revenue that you gave us the money. So each envelope has a number on it, known only to you and Hilary. Ken keeps a record of how much has been received from each number. And for those who have signed Gift Aid forms (but only them) these two bits of information are matched up so we can claim the tax back.

Q. Suppose I miss a few weeks?

A. Just tear up those envelopes and start afresh.

Q. Suppose I get paid monthly?

A. Either do a bank standing order, or just use one envelope each month and throw the others away.

Q. Suppose I get the dates all muddled up?

A. Don’t worry, we don’t record the dates. Just start afresh and use one envelope each week.

Q. Can I get a box of envelopes?

A. Yes. Ask Hilary (or ask me and I’ll introduce you).

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. March 2011, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (March 2011) John 3, Chorltons, Sorted, Question. Other questions. Other articles about money.	In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition... Little envelopes? Q. Why do you have little white envelopes that people put in the collection plate? A. We have little white envelopes for three reasons. First, St Paul told the first Christians (in 1 Corinthians 16) that if they wanted to give to support God’s work, they should put aside some money on the first day of each week (i.e. pay day) so there wouldn’t have to be a big scrabble round when money was needed. So the envelopes are to help those who get paid weekly to put part of their pay aside. Each envelope has a date on it, so that people can keep track of where they’re up to. (But the dates are only for your own convenience - no-one records whether you’re up to date or not.) Second, they prevent people getting embarrassed. Some can give more than others. If someone puts Ł40 into an open plate, someone else might feel ashamed he can only afford Ł10 that week. God knows our hearts but we don’t really want everyone else looking too. The envelopes prevent that. And third, for the people who pay tax, the government’s *Gift Aid* scheme allows charities to reclaim the tax on what taxpayers have given. If you’re paid Ł1 gross then 20p is taken off it before you ever see it: if you give church the 80p, then we can reclaim the 20p from the Inland Revenue. But only if we can prove to the Revenue that you gave us the money. So each envelope has a number on it, known only to you and Hilary. Ken keeps a record of how much has been received from each number. And for those who have signed Gift Aid forms (but only them) these two bits of information are matched up so we can claim the tax back. Q. Suppose I miss a few weeks? A. Just tear up those envelopes and start afresh. Q. Suppose I get paid monthly? A. Either do a bank standing order, or just use one envelope each month and throw the others away. Q. Suppose I get the dates all muddled up? A. Don’t worry, we don’t record the dates. Just start afresh and use one envelope each week. Q. Can I get a box of envelopes? A. Yes. Ask Hilary (or ask me and I’ll introduce you). John Hartley
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