God is the great giver. His greatest gift to us is Jesus. Christian giving is never an attempt to earn God’s favour. It’s always simply a response to all of God’s generosity to us. As those who have received so much from him, giving back to God is a natural part of following Jesus.
For 125 years St Luke’s has been central to the village as a place of worship, a source of pastoral care and comfort, hospitality and a support to those in need.
Our current needs are urgent if we are to meet the challenges of the future.
We rely entirely on the funds we receive from regular giving from our congregation, collections at services, fundraising events, from users of the church rooms and the church itself. As well as legacies and grants in support of the work we do in the community. No funds are received from the Church of England.
The Parochial Church Council (The PCC) is responsible for the running of the church and every year a budget is prepared and every year since COVID we have seen a fall in income to the point at which expenditure consistently exceeds income to the point at which our reserves are close to being exhausted by the end of 2026.
Unless the situation can be reversed and income increased there will be little money left to continue the work of sharing the gospel.
Would you consider partnering with us to keep the work going?
Where does the money go?
90% of the expenditure is on the fixed costs of running the church including heating and lighting the church and church rooms, running the church office, keeping the church and churchyard in good condition as well as payments to the Diocese of Guildford to cover vicar’s salary and accommodation and supporting the Diocese in its work.
We also give 10% of our annual income - the church’s tithe, to charities supporting those in need in the UK and overseas.
The amount remaining after paying the fixed costs and charitable support is used to pay for the all the other activities in the church and the scope for these activities reduces if our income doesn’t increase.
How much should I give?
All gifts of whatever size are valued by God. In the Bible Christian believers are encouraged to give in the following ways:
- Proportionately, according to their income
- Thankfully, recognising that all we have comes from God
- Generously, knowing that in giving we also receive
- In faith, believing God is able to supply all we need.
Who can I talk to about giving?
If you would like to discuss anything about Giving at St Luke’s Church, you can speak with Jeremy our vicar, Alice and Jonathan, our churchwardens, Barbara our Stewardship Recorder or Viv our Treasurer who would be pleased to help.
These funds to which you can give are:
- The General Fund that supports the work of St Luke’s throughout the year giving details- Click Here
- The Youth Fund that helps support activities for young people in the parish giving details - Click Here
- The Vicar’s Relief Fund that allows the vicar to help those with a particular need giving details - Click Here
If you are a UK taxpayer and make a Gift Aid declaration St Luke’s can reclaim 25p of tax for every £1 you give.