PCC News

Throughout all walks of life we see technology doing jobs for us that, in the past, would take forever to do. This is true with giving to our churches. Daily we see fewer and fewer people carrying cash, which makes it difficult for committed Christians and visitors to our church to easily give to support the work of our churches. In an effort to support you and make life easier for you the diocese has set up its own donate button. Any money given is Gift Aided when appropriate and credited to your benefice’s Parish Share account. As a church you don’t have to use our system. You are welcome to set up your own scheme, but the most important thing is that you have a system to assist giving to your church. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Once you have your online giving system up and running the most important thing is to make people aware that this form of giving exists. It is no good making it the best kept secret! You must promote it at every opportunity. For example:

• This might mean when you send out a link for a Zoom meeting you need to include a line to say – ‘Some of you may wish to give to support the work of our church. We have included the link to help you make a gift.’
• When writing an article for your parish magazine, you can include a line along the bottom saying –‘The church in our village is your church please feel free to support our work in the community.’ (make sure you include the link to give)
• When we are able to hold baptisms, weddings and funerals ask the families if they are happy to have a QR code on the order of service and a line saying something like – ‘You may wish to support the work of this church’

This also applies to our weekly order of service sheets in our churches. Always include a QR code. You may even have a piece of music for reflection during the service to give congregational members the opportunity to give.

If you would like to join th diocesan online giving scheme, please contact me on eboreg.phylre@qvbprfrbsabejvpu.bet, 01603 882326 and you will receive a QR code specifically for your church and also some supporting resources (posters and cards to go into the pews) which link the giver to the giving site. The posters can be displayed not only in the church but also on community noticeboards.