Whether we have a lot or a little so called disposable income, how we use money is one symbol of God’s transforming power in our lives. How we use money reflects how pivotal in our life is our Methodist, or Christian, way of life, how wholehearted our response to God’s gift of life to us and our response to God’s love in Christ.
Some people at this church grew up in times or places of much greater hardship than exist for most people in this country now. It is estimated, that one third of children in Beverley, are growing up in poverty – a very shocking fact – so there is a lot of poverty among households in the town, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. Conversely, many of us have come to accept as the norm higher standards of living than what we knew when growing up, with more exciting holidays, entertainment, transport, food and drink.
Jesus Christ wants fullness of life for everyone (John 10:10) but the Methodist Church asks us to consider whether our amount of giving to the Church and circuit have gone up in proportion to the amount of money we may spend in other ways? As our treasurer has affirmed, there is already a lot of generous giving to sustaining the witness of Toll Gavel United Church. But does our giving to the local and wider Church match a weekly practice of, say, the cost of fish and chips or filling up the car with petrol (or charging it with electricity), or going to a concert, depending on your circumstances?
Currently it costs approx. £2,140 per week to run this church, and we’re facing a deficit every week of approx. £400. Could you increase your regular giving by 10%? So if you give £5 per week, could you increase that to £5.50? If you give £20 a week, could you make that £22? This would make a big difference to the church’s income. I recognise that not everyone is in a position to increase their giving, but please give it some prayerful consideration.
Toll Gavel United Church has a lot of good news to offer to the community it is in. Let’s help make sure that continues and grows.
Blessings, Revd Fran
Toll Gavel United Church where faith, people and justice matter 