October in this parish means Harvest Festival – the time when, as we celebrate again the bringing in of the harvest, we thank God for his many gifts and graces. And so we shall be celebrating Harvest once again at St Mary’s on Sunday 4th (not least with the parish Harvest Lunch, hog roast and all), and at St John’s on Sunday 11th (preceded by the Harvest Supper on Friday 9th).

This season of thanksgiving is the perfect time for everyone who worships at St Mary’s and St John’s to be reviewing our giving to the ministry and mission to which God has called us here in Walton. And because it’s good for a lay person to be the one who does most of the encouragement to give, I’m going to turn over the rest of this article to David Henderson.

Before becoming churchwarden back in April, David was already in post as our Parish Stewardship Promoter (PSP for short). This role was created by the Diocese, and “it does exactly what it says on the tin”: in other words, David is the person who promotes stewardship in our parish. And, of course, a central element of this is our Planned Giving, which funds everything we are trying to do in obedience to the vision we’ve received from God. So, over to David …

Yours in Christ,

Charles Stewart

September 2009

Planned Giving Annual Review

At the beginning of October, Charles and I will be inviting you to address your level of giving in our annual Planned Giving Review. Yes, I can hear you saying “Is it only a year since we were last asked to review our giving?”

What a year it has been! The near collapse of several banks, the housing market in turmoil, job losses, unheard-of levels of debt, personal and government, increases in food, gas and electricity prices, not to mention the extra 2p duty on petrol a couple of weeks ago!

How can we afford to contemplate an increase in our giving? How can we afford not to? What will be the cost to continuing the mission God has given us here in Walton if we don’t increase our giving?

Since last September our giving has enabled us to pay our Parish Share in full, which supports the work of all our clergy team, and has supported the newer ministries of Patrick & Sheila (our Church Army Evangelists) and Mandy (our Children & Youth Minister). In the past twelve months, this has included reaching into St John’s Estate in many ways; the beginnings of mission and chaplaincy within Walton’s business community; developing relationships with local schools; the pioneering Easter Walk; and much, much more.

This work of mission will only be able to continue if we increase our giving.

In financially trying times such as these, it would be all too easy to be obsessed with our own personal circumstances and consequently forget all the good things that God has blessed us with as a Church and as individuals. If we don’t continue to increase our giving, then our mission will wither and the Church in Walton may also wither. I know things are tough, but there is so much that we can all do to help.

The easiest way that we can all help is to make sure that we have committed to planned giving and, if we pay income/capital gains tax, to complete and submit a signed Gift Aid declaration.

Please also consider carefully and prayerfully whether you can increase your giving and take the form when it’s handed out. Please don’t just walk past and leave it to someone else.

If you have never planned your giving before and are unsure about what to do, or if you have any questions about filling in the form, please speak to me in person, or contact me on (01932) 220484 or at stewardship@waltonparish.org.uk

Thank you to all of you who have responded in some way since this time last year.

David Henderson

Parish Stewardship Promoter

October in this parish means Harvest Festival – the time when, as we celebrate again the bringing in of the harvest, we thank God for his many gifts and graces. And so we shall be celebrating Harvest once again at St Mary’s on Sunday 4th (not least with the parish Harvest Lunch, hog roast and all), and at St John’s on Sunday 11th (preceded by the Harvest Supper on Friday 9th).

This season of thanksgiving is the perfect time for everyone who worships at St Mary’s and St John’s to be reviewing our giving to the ministry and mission to which God has called us here in Walton. And because it’s good for a lay person to be the one who does most of the encouragement to give, I’m going to turn over the rest of this article to David Henderson.

Before becoming churchwarden back in April, David was already in post as our Parish Stewardship Promoter (PSP for short). This role was created by the Diocese, and “it does exactly what it says on the tin”: in other words, David is the person who promotes stewardship in our parish. And, of course, a central element of this is our Planned Giving, which funds everything we are trying to do in obedience to the vision we’ve received from God. So, over to David …

Yours in Christ,

Charles Stewart

September 2009

Planned Giving Annual Review

At the beginning of October, Charles and I will be inviting you to address your level of giving in our annual Planned Giving Review. Yes, I can hear you saying “Is it only a year since we were last asked to review our giving?”

What a year it has been! The near collapse of several banks, the housing market in turmoil, job losses, unheard-of levels of debt, personal and government, increases in food, gas and electricity prices, not to mention the extra 2p duty on petrol a couple of weeks ago!

How can we afford to contemplate an increase in our giving? How can we afford not to? What will be the cost to continuing the mission God has given us here in Walton if we don’t increase our giving?

Since last September our giving has enabled us to pay our Parish Share in full, which supports the work of all our clergy team, and has supported the newer ministries of Patrick & Sheila (our Church Army Evangelists) and Mandy (our Children & Youth Minister). In the past twelve months, this has included reaching into St John’s Estate in many ways; the beginnings of mission and chaplaincy within Walton’s business community; developing relationships with local schools; the pioneering Easter Walk; and much, much more.

This work of mission will only be able to continue if we increase our giving.

In financially trying times such as these, it would be all too easy to be obsessed with our own personal circumstances and consequently forget all the good things that God has blessed us with as a Church and as individuals. If we don’t continue to increase our giving, then our mission will wither and the Church in Walton may also wither. I know things are tough, but there is so much that we can all do to help.

The easiest way that we can all help is to make sure that we have committed to planned giving and, if we pay income/capital gains tax, to complete and submit a signed Gift Aid declaration.

Please also consider carefully and prayerfully whether you can increase your giving and take the form when it’s handed out. Please don’t just walk past and leave it to someone else.

If you have never planned your giving before and are unsure about what to do, or if you have any questions about filling in the form, please speak to me in person, or contact me on (01932) 220484 or at stewardship@waltonparish.org.uk

Thank you to all of you who have responded in some way since this time last year.

David Henderson

Parish Stewardship Promoter