JOINT NEWSLETTER - FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP MATTERS – MARCH 2011 No. 2011 1
Dear Incumbents, Church Wardens, Hon Treasurers and Stewardship Officers,
GIVING FOR LIFE
Early responses to this vital initiative have proved encouraging. We live in difficult economic times however there is undoubted potential to increase giving for the mission of the church. Bishop Christopher commends Giving for Life to you for local implementation and he looks forward to hearing about your experiences of using this. The Archdeacons’ Articles of Enquiry for 2011 include a specific question on Giving for Life but you are invited to let the Bishop have any further response or updates on progress. Please send comments to Kay Lancaster here () who will collate these and pass them on to the Bishop.
NB once again the link: http://www.parishresources.org.uk/rural.htm.
This continues to be a treasure trove of advice.
GIFT AID TRANSITIONAL RELIEF DUE TO END WEF 6th APRIL 2011
As previously demonstrated, the reduction will mean that the actual tax reclaimed will reduce by 11.4%. Please try and encourage donors to make donations before 6th April if at all possible.
SENDING GIFT AID INFORMATION TO CATHERINE GRAY
To all stewardship recorders re filling in the one off Gift Aid returns – the sheets say first line of address but if this is a house name we need further information such as the name of the road as well or village as well.Thank you.
HEATING COSTS
Do any of you have experience of improved heating techniques (e.g. under floor) and the associated costs? If so please can you (e-mail) me a brief note with the salient points, including drawbacks!
UTILITY COSTS
Please could those of you who have moved to UWDC via Michael Winarick send me a copy of a recent detailed bill from UWDC asap (either by scan or photo-copy). Thank you.
STATIONERY PROCUREMENT
Save money on stationery.Whetherbuying paper for parish magazines and service sheets, printer toner cartridges or envelopes, materials for childrens and youth activities or office stationery, PCCs spend several million pounds onstationery each year. The Church of England's procurement group, comprising of diocesan, national and parish representatives seeks to offer parishes suppliers that offer good service, are environmentally responsible, and can achieve significant savings compared with current prices.Visit Parish Resourcesor 2buy2to find out more about saving your parishes money on office products.
(NB: links embedded in the final phrase of thee-bulletin suggested text above are : www.parishresources.org.uk/buying/stationery.htm and www.2buy2.com )
THEFT OF COPPER
About three metres of copper lightning conductor has been stolen from one of our churches, perhaps primarily an act of vandalism. But a timely reminder to be alert to the risk of metal theft and the use of Smart Water.
PLEASE USE REMITTANCE SLIPS
It is vital that any money sent to the diocese is clearly identified. Parish share coming in by standing order should include the Q number reference (and most do) but it is often not clear when it is assigned fees being remitted; and when a cheque is sent to cover a bit of both! Please see the current remittance advice form (Addendum 1 below) – please do not use old forms.
Whenever you make a direct payment to the Diocesan Bank Account, please could you send an e-mail to Yvette Hoyland (), copying in Michelle Lord (), stating what the payment is for.
NB also please the process for collections for the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund which should go direct to Bishopsgrove (as detailed on the remittance advice).
Money is also sent in for Pompey Chimes and subscriptions to the website and this is often not clearly identified and can take up valuable time for Michelle and Yvette trying to sort out.
THANK YOU!
Best wishes
Chris Malone & Dennis Lloyd
ADDENDUM 1 – BLANK REMITTANCE SLIP
PORTSMOUTH DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE
1st Floor Peninsular House Wharf Road Portsmouth PO2 8HB
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R E M I T T A N C E F O R M
PARISH ...... DEANERY ......
RECORD OF REMITANCES
1 One cheque will suffice for Parish Share, Fees (which are requested on a quarterly basis), Bishops Lent Appeal, Pompey Chimes etc and should be made payable to: Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Finance.
2 Cheques for the BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH'S DISCRETIONARY FUND should be sent direct to: The Bishop Of Portsmouth, Bishopsgrove, 26 Osborn Road, Fareham, Hants. PO16 7DQ.
3 Details
PARISH SHARE Q ......
FEES AF ......
(Please indicate the quarter :
Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec)
BISHOP’S LENT APPEAL ……………..
POMPEY CHIMES ...…………...
WEBSITE ……………..
OTHER ...... Code
4 New PCC Treasurers ......
please print your ......
name, address, phone ......
and e-mail here: ……...…………………………………….
IF REQUIRED DETACH AND RETAIN THIS COUNTERFOIL FOR YOUR PCC RECORDS
Payments to Board of Finance - PARISH SHARE/FEES ......
- BISHOP'S LENT APPEAL ......
POMPEY CHIMES ......
OTHER ITEMS ………….
Cheque Numbers ______TOTAL______