Christian Stewardship

This begins with the recognition that everything we have - our time, our talents and our wealth - is a gift from God to be used and offered back to him in service. Those involved in Christian Stewardship are asked to consider carefully what proportion of their time and talents should be offered to God for use through our local church.

On the question of money it was normal at one time to tithe, and some find this right for them today. All of us, however, are asked to work out what proportion of our income we can offer for the Church's work and to pay it, where appropriate, either weekly, monthly or quarterly. The Stewardship Secretary, Chris Cole, will be happy to give advice.

Our own church is dependent upon the covenants and free-will offerings of the congregation. Clearly it is impossible for the Parochial Church Council to manage its affairs and budget for the expenditure involved without an assured income based on planned giving rather than haphazard and unpredictable collections. We therefore rely upon Christian Stewardship to run the church and its worship. We earnestly ask all who join with us to consider contributing in a planned way - asking one of the Churchwardens, the Treasurer or the Stewardship Secretary for further details.

We have a fine building to inspire our worship but it is also costly to maintain and run. In addition we have layworkers to pay and a church school (Hampstead Parochial School) whose Trustees rely upon the church for support. Many people are surprised to learn that every church has to make payments to a Common Fund towards clergy salaries, the maintenance of vicarages and the running of the wider church. In this way the richer parishes can help the poorer. Despite such heavy expenditure we feel it important not to be purely inward-looking, and the Parochial Church Council endeavours to give away to charities at home and abroad at least 10% of the church's income.

Collections are taken in the pews only on special occasions. Normally the alms dish, which is placed near the entrance, is provided primarily for visitors and those who do not participate in a regular scheme.