Money For Mission

April 2023 (Issue 44)

Monthly E-newsletter from the Finance & Stewardship Teams

Thinking About Generosity.....

Dates for Return of Parish Finance & Accounts

Parish Share Report Update

NEW! Treasurer Support Sessions

NEW! Treasurer Resources Briefing

NEW! Watch Video Stories from PCC Treasurers

Digital Clinic in Bingley - Book Now!

NEW! Resources to Launch & Promote the PGS

URGENT! - Church Energy Bill Renewal Options

Sunday 2 April. The Liturgy of the Palms. Psalm 118.1-2, 19-24

A church which has tired of rejoicing is in need of a pause

In the part of the psalm the lectionary omits, we see the LORD God rescue his servant – most likely the Davidic king from defeat in battle against his enemies. This is why the psalmist is so excited in verses 19-24 of this song. God has rescued them from political and military aggression.

The worshippers (most likely) accompany the psalmist towards the temple and they are having a party. God has been good and they want to worship God in his holy temple: “I thank you that you have answered me and become my salvation” (verse 21).

The praises of verses 19-24 come out in something of a splurge – almost like a very excited prayer meeting with lots of people praising God at once. (This text does not, at least on the surface, exhibit the logical flow of ideas we might find in a more reflective text).

But this teaches us something about generosity. It is good and worth celebrating. A church which has grown tired of rejoicing in God’s goodness in saving us is a church in need of a pause – to reflect on what truly matters. Holy Week gives just such a pause as we enter into it. 

When we immerse ourselves in Jesus’ astoundingly generous gift of his life that rescues us from our enemies (sin, death, and the devil), we have the opportunity to reconnect with the exuberant generosity of God once again and let gratitude fill our hearts once more.

Andy Angel is Vicar of St Andrew’s, Burgess Hill in the Diocese of Chichester

Parish Share Report Update



For anyone who may have missed it, the February Share Report can be found here. In the first 2 months of 2023 parish share receipts totalled £1.3m, which is similar to the same period in 2022, but remains 15% below pre-pandemic levels. Watch out for the March share report landing on our website in the second week of April.

NEW! Treasurer Support Sessions

Our Parish Finance Support officer, Jennifer Robinson, will be hosting treasurer support sessions on Tuesday 25th April at the Bradford Episcopal Area office, Trinity Centre, Bingley. from 10am until until 4pm.

You can either attend in person or arrange a Zoom call to receive guidance on various aspects of your treasurer role e.g. church fund accounting, independent examination, charity status etc.

The sessions will run on an appointment only basis so that you can receive 121 support.

To book a slot email the Parish Finance Support officer at resourcingparishes@leeds.anglican.org or call 07496 265509

NEW! Treasurer Resources Briefing

Discover what resources and training is available to help support you in your PCC treasurer role by joining our Zoom meeting on Thursday 27th April at 1pm. The meeting will be hosted by our Parish Finance Support officer Jennifer Robinson and Stewardship officer Janet Edmond. Register for the meeting using the link below.

Watch Video Stories from our PCC Treasurers!

Watch video stories from two of our PCC treasurers who explain what their roles entail and what type of support treasurers can access. Click on the links below.

If you are a PCC treasurer and feel you could help to give encouragement and peer support to treasurers across the Diocese in tackling their role please contact the Stewardship Team on resourcingparishes@leeds.anglican.org or on 07376 525684 for more details.

Digital Clinic in Bingley

How to Set Up Digital Giving For Your Church

The Stewardship team will be hosting another Digital Clinic on Tuesday 25th April at the Bradford Episcopal Area office, Trinity Centre, Bingley. from 10am until until 4pm. Attend in person or arrange a Zoom call.

At the clinic seek advice on buying a contactless device for your church, how to set one up and resolve problems with your current device. The clinic will run on an appointment only basis so that you can receive 121 support.



To book a slot email the Stewardship Team at resourcingparishes@leeds.anglican.org or call 07376 525684

Urgent - Church Energy Bill Renewal Options

Now is the time to ensure you are with a good green energy provider. Many of our parishes use either Parish Buying or Green Journey.

Parishes wishing to use Parish Buying are asked to opt into the basket by the 31^st April – but no energy price will be given until September for your contract to start in October. The way that the Parish Buying tariff was structured for 2022/23 meant that parishes did not benefit from the government Energy Bill Relief Scheme and some had high daily standing charges. Whilst this may not be relevant later this year, remember to review both standing charges and unit prices before agreeing a deal.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider Green Journey for your parish. The 250 churches who use the scheme have been on a 3 year tariff at 2019 prices. Of course energy prices have now risen considerably, but the Green Journey team are specialist in energy procurement and can usually find a good unit price/standing charge to suit your energy use. Renewable electricity and carbon offset gas get your church very close to carbon net zero too!  Click on the button below to find out more about Green Journey.

A reminder of our email addresses so you get the right support and advice:

For stewardship, income generation, parish finance, Parish Share and grant enquiries:

resourcingparishes@leeds.anglican.org or you can email Janet or Jenn directly.

For general finance queries including invoices, clergy fees and payroll:

finance@leeds.anglican.org or you can email Jane, Hayley, Clare or Jenni directly.