Planned giving at St. James's enables members
of the congregation to support the church through regular and planned
giving. Currently there are about 115 members in the scheme. The planned
giving committee is responsible for the running and development of the
scheme. The recorder keeps confidential records and reclaims the tax
on Gift Aid donations. All the money to pay clergy, provide housing
and pensions, maintain buildings, support local or overseas mission
work etc. is given by individual parishioners. The Church of England
is not financed by the government or local authority.
Planned giving is the major source
of income for our parish and is fundamental to it’s life and
work. Only with a regular, budgeted income
can future activities be undertaken. In fact about 75% of our parish
income is from those members in the scheme. Giving can
be for whatever amount an individual feels able to contribute and
currently ranges from under £100 per year to more
than £1500 per year. The terms of reference for the committee
state our objectives as:
• To promote the idea of planned regular giving as a means
of showing support for the upkeep and mission of St. James's.
• To provide a means by which members of the church can make
regular giving either by use of envelopes or bankers standing order.
• To raise the profile of the scheme by holding events, discussions
and providing information.
• To encourage members to think about their level of giving.
• To maintain records of membership, donations received and
tax recovered.
Planned giving can be achieved
in two ways:
1. By a standing order from your bank on a monthly, quarterly or yearly
basis.
2. Using envelopes provided by us which you can put into the collection
when you come to church.
If you are a taxpayer, there is a further advantage
as the church can claim back the tax you have already paid, amounting
to approximately 30% extra revenue.
London Diocese (in common with all dioceses) receives less funding
from the national church each year, whilst facing rising costs for
clergy pension provision. The diocese needs to be entirely self-financing
by 2007.
This means that parishes are asked to increase their Diocesan Quota
contributions by more than inflation for the next 5 years.
We should always remember that part of the Diocesan Quota payment
from churches such as ours is used to support the work of parishes
in less affluent parts of London, where needs are great, but resources
are limited.
Membership of the planned givng committee consists of the clergy and
volunteers. There is also an open invitation to the churchwardens
to attend but they are not members of the committee. Membership is
open to any member of the church who expresses an interest in the
role of planned giving. There is no formal election process and no
limit on how long members may serve.
Some other ways
of giving to St. James's Church you may like to consider
• If you are a tax-payer, giving through your bank account, please
consider using envelopes for any additional contributions you make
to the plate collection in church. You can get a set of envelopes
from Pip Rowett.
• Leave a legacy to St. James's in your will. This can be achieved
by adding a codicil to your will. We have a form available to help
you do this.
CAN YOU HELP US?
• Do you know anyone who would like to join in regular giving
to our stewardship scheme?
Please take any opportunity to speak to others and encourage them
to support the mission of our church.
• Do you have any ideas as to how we should publicise the scheme
more widely?
Please speak to us - all ideas welcome.
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