Everyone living in Slindon will, hopefully (!) receive a letter towards the end of August inviting you to take part in St Mary’s stewardship. (If you come to St Mary’s but don’t live in the Parish, you should also receive one.) If you do not receive one, please just ask Peter and, if you would like to take part, just please respond to the letter.
The Programme will be launched at the 11.00am Family Service on 13th September and will be the focus of the two following Sunday services ending on 27th September.
Everyone linked with the programme and those responding to their letter, will then receive a simple leaflet setting out our vision for St Mary’s under the heading “Building on the past, in the present, for the future”. It will also set out ideas where we need help of skill and time to make that vision a reality. Finally, it will set out the financial needs for continuing ministry and growing our vision. There will also be a space for everyone to suggest other ideas and skills they have to help with them.
On the most basic level, the finance part will be asking people to give regularly – however small – in a way that allows us to claim Gift Aid: without anyone giving more, we could add 25% to our income. It will also mention “Easyfundraising” which anyone can do at no cost simply by registering St Mary’s Slindon as their chosen recipient and adding one click to your online shopping! The final thing to say about finance is that the only person in church who knows the details of regular givers is the treasurer – no-one else (and I am pleased to say, certainly not the rector!)
We hope to complete the initiative at the 11.00 am service on Sunday 27th September to which all who have participated are warmly invited.
At the end we will set up an informal Friends of St Mary’s for all who have taken part to maintain contact going forward. One idea, for instance, is that each year at Rogationtide – normally May – when traditionally priest and people walked around the parish blessing the land, we can walk around part of the Parish together.
If you want to know any more about the programme, or have any questions please just have a word with one of the members who have worked on this stewardship programme: Helen Davenport, Peter Dyson, Elaine Foakes, Mark Midgley, Tony Richards, Beth Ross, David Sampson, and Debbie Stevens. Thank you.
Peter
pwdysonrevd@gmail.com 01243 345334