"We give thanks for everyone who has supported St Mary Abbots in the past or is considering doing so again"
Mother Emma, Vicar
Mother Emma, Vicar
St Mary Abbots is a busy church with 21 services a week. While those services are the most visible part of the work of our clergy and staff, the majority of their time and focus is serving our neighbours in the community, maintaining our historic buildings and growing our Church in line with our Mission Action Plan. Just keeping SMA going requires £12,500 a week which includes £715 per week for the choir, £680 per week maintaining the church and £6700 per week staff (excluding clergy) costs.
These costs must be met from local income. While we get some contribution from properties and investments, the key driver is donations from the congregation. We are fortunate that many members of the congregation already contribute. Our ambition is that each member should give regularly, as they are able. Whether it is £2 or £200 a month, we want to be able to say that we are all in this mission together.
As you prayerfully consider a new level of giving for 2024, please think of contributing monthly or quarterly by standing order, rather than by cash or card machine. Standing orders help SMA plan the year’s budget, knowing for certain what funds will be available. Another way you can help is through Gift Aid, which means your regular contribution is increased by 25% at no extra cost to you.
If you are able, and if you have not done so already, please fill in a standing order and Gift Aid forms using the links below or in the church. and return them to the sidespeople or to the Parish Office.
Thank you very much for your generosity in helping to sustain the church’s worship, community and fabric. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21).
St Mary Abbots Stewardship Group
These costs must be met from local income. While we get some contribution from properties and investments, the key driver is donations from the congregation. We are fortunate that many members of the congregation already contribute. Our ambition is that each member should give regularly, as they are able. Whether it is £2 or £200 a month, we want to be able to say that we are all in this mission together.
As you prayerfully consider a new level of giving for 2024, please think of contributing monthly or quarterly by standing order, rather than by cash or card machine. Standing orders help SMA plan the year’s budget, knowing for certain what funds will be available. Another way you can help is through Gift Aid, which means your regular contribution is increased by 25% at no extra cost to you.
If you are able, and if you have not done so already, please fill in a standing order and Gift Aid forms using the links below or in the church. and return them to the sidespeople or to the Parish Office.
Thank you very much for your generosity in helping to sustain the church’s worship, community and fabric. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21).
St Mary Abbots Stewardship Group
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What your money is used for
Children and Youth Work: £85 per week
This includes resources for Children on Sunday groups, Bitesize Bible group, Mini Abbots, Youth Group and the children’s chapel, such as teaching materials, pens and paper, printing and refreshments.
This adds up to £4,400 per year.
Repairs and Maintenance: £680 per week
This includes regular maintenance of the spire, roof and stonework as well as cleaning and alarm systems, ensuring our properties are safe and welcoming spaces to deliver our mission and ministry.
This adds up to £35,700 per year
The choir: £715 per week
This is the cost of the choir, cantor and organist for all four Sunday services each week. Additional special services such as Christmas, Easter, monthly Choral Eucharist and Choral Evensong brings this to £53,000 per year
Electricity, Gas and Water: £1,360 per week
This covers the heating in the church which keeps the temperature even so that the church is warm for services and events, offering a warm space for visitors, and for the electricity which lights the church inside and outside.
This is £71,000 per year
Staffing costs: £6,700 per week
This funds our very busy parish staff team which includes the virgers, parish manager, children’s worker, events and communications co-ordinator and hall manager.
This adds up to £180,500 per year.
This includes resources for Children on Sunday groups, Bitesize Bible group, Mini Abbots, Youth Group and the children’s chapel, such as teaching materials, pens and paper, printing and refreshments.
This adds up to £4,400 per year.
Repairs and Maintenance: £680 per week
This includes regular maintenance of the spire, roof and stonework as well as cleaning and alarm systems, ensuring our properties are safe and welcoming spaces to deliver our mission and ministry.
This adds up to £35,700 per year
The choir: £715 per week
This is the cost of the choir, cantor and organist for all four Sunday services each week. Additional special services such as Christmas, Easter, monthly Choral Eucharist and Choral Evensong brings this to £53,000 per year
Electricity, Gas and Water: £1,360 per week
This covers the heating in the church which keeps the temperature even so that the church is warm for services and events, offering a warm space for visitors, and for the electricity which lights the church inside and outside.
This is £71,000 per year
Staffing costs: £6,700 per week
This funds our very busy parish staff team which includes the virgers, parish manager, children’s worker, events and communications co-ordinator and hall manager.
This adds up to £180,500 per year.
Ways to donate to St Mary Abbots
Become a Regular Giver
Why is Regular Giving is important?
Although we raise money in a number of ways, by far the most reliable, and most proper for our Christian community, is planned, pledged and regular giving. The work of the church continues day by day, week by week, month by month – and it has to be paid for on this basis.
Without this income, our Church would not survive. The money we receive covers not only the upkeep of the church building, but our day-to-day costs, from the wages of the clergy and parish staff to the glue, sellotape and arts and crafts materials used by the children at the Sunday school.
If you would like to give regularly please Click Here to take you to our donation page or download our standing order form HERE.
Although we raise money in a number of ways, by far the most reliable, and most proper for our Christian community, is planned, pledged and regular giving. The work of the church continues day by day, week by week, month by month – and it has to be paid for on this basis.
Without this income, our Church would not survive. The money we receive covers not only the upkeep of the church building, but our day-to-day costs, from the wages of the clergy and parish staff to the glue, sellotape and arts and crafts materials used by the children at the Sunday school.
If you would like to give regularly please Click Here to take you to our donation page or download our standing order form HERE.
Make a donation in the church
We would like to thank those of you who have donated to the church via the wall boxes and the electrical donation boxes stationed by the doors. If you put your donations in the yellow envelopes on the pews we will be able to claim gift aid for the donation.
We would like to thank those of you who have donated to the church via the wall boxes and the electrical donation boxes stationed by the doors. If you put your donations in the yellow envelopes on the pews we will be able to claim gift aid for the donation.
Give As You Earn
Some of our congregation choose to donate through GAYE (Give As You Earn). This is the most popular payroll giving scheme in the UK and is used by over half-a-million people to support all recognised charities. If you would like to set this up please contact our stewardship secretary David Shaw
Some of our congregation choose to donate through GAYE (Give As You Earn). This is the most popular payroll giving scheme in the UK and is used by over half-a-million people to support all recognised charities. If you would like to set this up please contact our stewardship secretary David Shaw
One off donations
Perhaps you have visited the church or have attended a confirmation, wedding, baptism, Carol Concert or have just chanced upon the church and would like to make a donation. If this is something you would like to do please click HERE. Should you have been lucky enough to receive a bonus at work, or have come into a unexpected windfall, a one-off donation remain very welcome - no matter how how large or small - it will make a difference.
Perhaps you have visited the church or have attended a confirmation, wedding, baptism, Carol Concert or have just chanced upon the church and would like to make a donation. If this is something you would like to do please click HERE. Should you have been lucky enough to receive a bonus at work, or have come into a unexpected windfall, a one-off donation remain very welcome - no matter how how large or small - it will make a difference.
Stewardship
It is our responsibility to maintain and use the gifts we are given wisely and following the mission of our Pastor, PCC and church. If you would like to find out more about St Mary Abbots fundraising and Stewardship please contact our stewardship secretary David Shaw
