Rector:Revd. Sally Epps

New Parish Giving Scheme

On Sunday 1 May we are launching a new Parish Giving Scheme (PGS).  This new scheme will in due course replace the existing planned giving arrangements.  PGS is a Church-run ‘not for profit’ company (Charity No.1156606) backed by the Archbishops’ Council and recognised by the Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance.

The objective of ‘Stewardship Sunday’ (1 May) is to encourage those who use the existing planned giving scheme to sign up to PGS and to consider the amount they currently give and to encourage new people to commit to a planned giving programme.

In summary, PGS

-          Collects your donation by Direct Debit

-          Claims the Gift Aid entitlement

-          Pays the gross amount into St. Bartholomew’s bank account within 10 days

-          Offers a helpline number to call if you have any questions

-          Provides the (popular) option to automatically increase your donation each year to keep in line with inflation.

Why do we need a Parish Giving Scheme?

St. Bartholomew’s seeks to be at the centre of community life in Burwash. Not only is it a wonderful building cherished by many in the village, it is a centre of worship of Christian faith. This invaluable contribution has a cost, which is almost entirely met by personal donations. For St. Bartholomew’s to survive and thrive, it relies on regular donations to allow the PCC to plan confidently for the future. Successfully addressing St. Bartholomew’s need to receive realistic, long term giving from committed Christians is a fundamental part of developing a thriving outward looking church.

How does it work?

Donations made through PGS use Direct Debit on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. All donations come back to St. Bartholomew’s from PGS, with associated Gift Aid, within 10 days of the donation. This is a significant improvement in cash flow and saving of administrative time. Donors simply need to cancel their current standing order and replace it with a Direct Debit instruction to allow the PGS to take money from the donor’s bank account. Normal Direct Debit guarantee procedures operate.

One of the greatest problems of local church income is that it often does not increase regularly year by year. With PGS there is an option under which donors agree that their giving is automatically adjusted each year and so becomes inflation proofed.

PGS does not embrace planned giving through the blue envelopes, or gift aided giving through the white envelopes. Whilst it is recognised that some may prefer to continue to use envelopes, PGS is intended to replace these.

What is happening now?

We are currently piloting PGS with members of the PCC and monitoring their experience and this will continue throughout the summer.  On Sunday 1 May there will be a short introductory presentation at services.  In the autumn, people who use the existing envelopes scheme will be invited to change to PGS, although anyone who wishes to sign up before then is welcome to do so.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What do PGS donors do when the collection bag is passed round on a Sunday?

People in the PGS scheme will be able to pick up PGS tokens at the back of the Church for to put into the bag when it comes round.  This enables your offering to be received and blessed by the Rector with the rest of the collection.  After the Service the tokens will be separated and stored for use at the next Service.

Can donors choose the day of the month their donations are collected?

No. All direct debits are drawn from donors’ bank accounts on the first of the month (or the next working day). This helps to keep administrative costs low.

What happens if inflation is negative?

The PGS Trustees’ proposition is that donations will remain unchanged in these circumstances. In a period of prolonged negative inflation they will revisit this.

How much will it cost St Bartholomew’s?

Participating Dioceses share the administrative costs. There are no additional costs for St Bartholomew’s and there is no deduction from donors’ gifts.

If you have further questions, please ask Chris Woodburn or Richard Harden.

Church opening/closing:

Summer: Open: 09.00 hrs  & close: 17.00 hrs

Winter: Open: 09.00 hrs & close 16.00 hrs

We are of course pleased that our beautiful church of St Bartholomews will always be open daily to allow for times of personal prayer and meditation.

BROADSHEET

Deadline for contibutions is normally 15th of the month prior to publication. The deadline for the December edition is usually 3 - 4 days earlier

St Bartholomew’s Church Burwash – Directory

Burwash Churchyard Plan (pdf file)

Memorials A-Z in Burwash Churchyard (pdf file)