COMMON FUND The London Diocese has challenged churches in the Kensington Area — including St James's — to cover their full costs by 2015. The cost of having a priest in a parish is met centrally through the Common Fund. This includes the priest's pay and housing, and a contribution towards the running of church schools. Richer churches pay more into the pot, poorer churches less. This is then redistributed. This year, churches in the Kensington area covered 92% of the total cost, with the rest met by the diocese. In 2012 the plan is to increase this to 96.7%. Hampton Deanery's churches need to find a further £20,000.

The PCC met in July and agreed to the deanery's proposed increase of £2100 to £76,250 in 2012. St James's is fortunate to be able to be a net contributor, with the surplus going to churches in that may never be able to fully fund their mission.

• Thank you for the many positive responses to the Planned Giving Committee's recent appeal. There is still time if you have not yet decided about making a regular commitment or increasing your giving.

Source: The Spire Magazine - 2011 August/September