Completing a pledge form
Thank you to everyone who filled in the questionnaire about what you value about St Mark’s. The Stewardship Group were really pleased to have received over 40 responses and very encouraged by what you wrote. There is still time to fill it in if you haven’t got round to doing it yet, and we really appreciate hearing from long-time regulars, those who are newer to St Mark’s, and those who worship with us more occasionally. The PCC will be looking carefully at the results of the questionnaire in the New Year as we begin to make future plans.
As you now know, the financial situation is more urgent and we are getting in touch now to ask your plans for giving to St Mark’s over the coming year. Many thanks to those of you who are ahead of us, and in response to the questionnaire (add link), have started giving or increased your giving already. It does really help us to plan if we have a better idea of what to expect in the coming year.
The Church of England guidance on giving is to consider giving away 10% of income after tax, with 5% going to the Church and 5% to other charities. We understand that we all have different financial pressures and even small amounts given regularly (eg by standing order/direct debit) makes a big difference to our church community. Of course we would not want anyone to feel pressured, but we would ask that you think carefully and pray about this.
Please click here to return your pledge form, or there are paper copies in Church. All responses will be treated confidentially and will only be seen by the treasurer. It would be great if we could have responses by the beginning of December.
We noticed on the questionnaire that some of you are considering giving your time to St Mark’s by helping out in one way or another. If this is you, please follow up that thought. If you know which team you want to volunteer on, please talk to someone on that team about it. Otherwise speak to Beth or the wardens at Church, or email office@stmarkssheffield.co.uk
With thanks,
Beth and the Stewardship Group
This is the time of year when we have to look at our money. We have to ask how much do we need to enable St Mark’s to function effectively and to do what we are being called to do in God’s world.
This year the review is more urgent because we already expect a deficit of about £5,000 in 2023. However, next year, if we want to operate at the same level without making cuts, in particular having an associate vicar, we need £25,000 more. The current contract for the associate vicar ends in mid-2025. The reason the increase is so large is because we have been using legacy money to fund various projects, including the associate vicar role, but the legacies have now been used up.
That is a big jump, so we thought it essential not only to let you know that the money is needed but also to ask these questions, “Is it worth it? What do I value about St Mark’s? What should we be resourcing?” And how much do we want to give to support the activities that make St Mark’s so worthwhile?
We thought it was important to give ourselves the time to think this through together. So, we will be focusing on different aspects of this on Sunday mornings between October 13th and November 24th.
13 Oct - Michael Bayley exploring the ideas set out above.
20 Oct - Beth Keith and others on challenging poverty.
27 Oct - Boyd Morgan on diversity and inclusion.
3 Nov - All Age - Being a community of faith. Followed by a church lunch.
10 Nov - Jonathan Williamson. A wider view of Remembrance.
17 Nov - Janet Morley on living a questioning and liberal faith.
24 Nov - Beth Keith rounding it up and considering St Mark’s as a safe church.
This cannot be a one-way process. We must know what you think and what your priorities are. Therefore, we are asking you to fill in an anonymous questionnaire. Please look on this as an opportunity and not a chore. We want this to be a process in which everyone has the chance to contribute.
A questionnaire may seem a solitary thing to do, so alongside that we hope that people will talk to one another about why we come to St Mark’s and what we hope for. It will be very good if this happens after services. Why not come to the lunch on 3 Nov and chat then, but we also hope that it will happen on all sorts of other occasions as well. Try to have good conversations about this when you have the opportunity.
David Armstrong, our treasurer, has produced a list of financial Questions and Answers. These, and the church’s full accounts, are available on the website. If you have questions or want to know more about our finances please talk to, or email, David.
By the end of this ‘season’ we hope we will be clearer collectively about why we come to St Mark’s, what we value about it, and will be able to decide with confidence that, ‘This is what I feel able to give over the next year as an expression of my commitment to God and the work of this Christian community of St Mark’s.’
On behalf of the Stewardship Group of the PCC:
David Armstrong, Michael Bayley, Michael Hunt, Beth Keith, Amanda Pilkington, Anna Ryder, Chris Ware.