A bottle of lemonade, a tin of fruit and three tins of vegetables

How much does it cost to buy a bottle of lemonade, a tin of fruit and three tins of vegetables from Asda?

Amazingly it's exactly the same cost as keeping our Church going.

Well nearly!

The Asda bill is 92p, and that's the amount St. George's needs to balance its accounts this year. Just 92p per week for each member of the congregation. So how is that worked out?

You, the people of St. George's, are very generous and you support the church, locally, nationally and internationally, extremely well. On a weekly basis you give something like £800 to the work of the Church. £170 comes from tax refunds collected under the Gift Aid scheme, and a further £200 is added from donations, fees and investment interest. That means your Church has an average weekly income of £1,170. Thank you for all you give in both time and money.

From income let's turn to outgoings. St. George's contributes £880 to the wider Church through the Parish Share. This is used to pay for clergy and vicarages; for Church Schools and Diocesan Officers; for the work of the Archbishop in this country and for the ministry of the Church abroad. As a parish, Waterlooville receives far more than it contributes, so this is money well spent.

Now add to this the local Church expenditure of £382 each week. This money is primarily used for our Church building and our worship. Through your generosity, St. George's is also able to donate nearly £100 each week to charity. The total outgoings therefore add up to £1,262. That makes a weekly shortfall of £920.

So what do we do to balance the Church's books?

On Sunday February 6th a sermon was preached and a presentation made about the finances. Each person on the electoral roll or who worships at St. George's Church regularly, was asked to increase their weekly giving by just 92p ™ the cost of a bottle of lemonade, a tin of fruit and three tins of vegetables from Asda? That small increase will make sure this Church can pay its way in 2005. Will you help?

Giving to St. George's can be done by Standing Orders; by using the weekly envelope scheme or by putting money in the offertory plate each week. However you give, please consider signing a Gift Aid form which brings to the Church an extra 28p for every £1 you give, so there's no extra cost to you! Standing Order forms and Gift Aid forms are available from the treasurer or from the Churchwardens.

To help keep the accounts in the black, the Church itself is doing all it can to keep the worship expenses down. Different sources of Communion wafers and wine are being explored and our candle supplier has been changed, all with the intention of spending less on essential items. That's also another way in which you can help your Church. Money for candles and wine can be donated in memory of a loved one. At present it costs £12.50 per week, and of course this money too can be given using the Gift Aid scheme. If you would like to sponsor a particular Sunday, and perhaps have the name of your loved one printed on the weekly Bulletin, please speak to Jaye Warren.

Thank you for supporting the ministry and mission at St. George's Church ™ the Parish Church of Waterlooville.

Fr. Mike
Parish Priest