We are examining our costs critically to reduce our outgoings. Our biggest single cost is heating and we are tied into long term contracts at a high rate with British Gas until 2017. We have exited one, saving £1,000, but still cannot get out of two contracts. We are maximising income by improving the hourly letting rates. We have now given notice on the Nursery, and will re-negotiate the contract there at a more commercial rate. We are also applying for grants and did successfully attract funding for the Memory Café. However, funders tend not to fund on-going costs: they want to see new projects to justify the expenditure, so this is not a solution to our cashflow problem. As a church, we have some simple, stark options: we need to give more on Sunday we need to fundraise we need to consider legacies we need to start a special set-aside fund for our electrical repairs/renewal. Of course, increasing our congregation is one way of increasing our income, and we hope that our outreach events at Café church and Memory café will bear fruit. But we cannot rely on this. It is our responsibility as a church family to pay our own way. We have a duty to pass the church on to the next generation. We also have a duty to keep it open, warm and relevant so that we can continue to extend the hospitality of Christ to those beyond our doors. What you can do We have a clear vision as a church that we want to be a blessing to our community. Let’s make it more than just fine words. So please pray for our finances and for God’s guidance on your role. Can you: give more? give from your estate and add a legacy into your will? commit to pray more? give time to fundraise?
We are examining our costs critically to reduce our outgoings. Our biggest single cost is heating and we are tied into long term contracts at a high rate with British Gas until 2017. We have exited one, saving £1,000, but still cannot get out of two contracts. We are maximising income by improving the hourly letting rates. We have now given notice on the Nursery, and will re-negotiate the contract there at a more commercial rate. We are also applying for grants and did successfully attract funding for the Memory Café. However, funders tend not to fund on-going costs: they want to see new projects to justify the expenditure, so this is not a solution to our cashflow problem. As a church, we have some simple, stark options: we need to give more on Sunday we need to fundraise we need to consider legacies we need to start a special set-aside fund for our electrical repairs/renewal. Of course, increasing our congregation is one way of increasing our income, and we hope that our outreach events at Café church and Memory café will bear fruit. But we cannot rely on this. It is our responsibility as a church family to pay our own way. We have a duty to pass the church on to the next generation. We also have a duty to keep it open, warm and relevant so that we can continue to extend the hospitality of Christ to those beyond our doors. What you can do We have a clear vision as a church that we want to be a blessing to our community. Let’s make it more than just fine words. So please pray for our finances and for God’s guidance on your role. Can you: give more? give from your estate and add a legacy into your will? commit to pray more? give time to fundraise?