Giving to St Bart's

5 days ago
6 min read

What you give to St Bart’s really makes a difference; without what you give we would struggle to maintain our ministry and our building. But financial giving is not just about keeping on top of things; through your generosity, we can be the church we want to be.

Or scroll down to see in more depth where our money comes from and where it goes, what plans we might be able to unlock if we had more, and more detailed information.

Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (1 Chronicles 29:16)

A growing church

St Bartholomew's is a growing church with faithful and generous worshippers. On Sundays and thoughout the week we are seeing new faces coming through the doors, and familiar faces more often. We are seeing growth in all services, and across all ages as people discover God here in our church and want to journey with us along the Way of Christ. Thank you for being a part of this happy and holy place, and thank you for the ways in which you support our ministry, giving time, talent and money.

Where does our money come from?

Some of our income is from hall hire and fundraising, or from fees which we charge for 'Life Events', ie. weddings and funerals. But the majority of our income comes from your giving, and without it we would be really stuck. Gift Aid, the reclaiming of 25% out of tax you have already paid as a booster to your giving (at no extra cost to you) is a really significant source of income. Planned Giving is regular giving from envelopes, standing orders or the Parish Giving Scheme. All donations are very gratefully received, but planned giving is the best form of income for the church because we know what we can expect across the year.

St Bart's income 2025

What do we spend it on?

Our expenditure is more varied, comprising various running costs which keep our church and worship open and alive. From candles and communion wine to fire extinguishers and photocopying, everything costs money.

The repair and maintenance, and the insurance, of our historic building is vital; and heating and lighting such large spaces costs a great deal. Over the past year, thousands of pounds have already been spent on behind-the-scenes electrical works which need doing, but aren't very exciting!

In some areas we have been able to save money by cutting back. Some expenses can't be avoided.

As a Church of England Parish Church, a significant proportion of our expenditure is the Parish Share, a part of our income which we give to the Church of England; this pays for clergy stipends, housing and training etc. This is extremely important funding which, although we don't always notice the hard and fast benefits, keeps us, and our neighbouring parishes with clergy.

St Bart's expenditure 2025

What would we do with more income?

Much of our expenditure is fixed, and we don't have a lot spare. The St Bart's PCC (the church's main governance) regularly review our spending priorities. With more income we would love to get started on some physical projects like

installing outside lighting to improve access to the church in the evenings;
replacing the dated and weather-damaged church signs; or even
looking into upgrading our heaters.

And beyond that there are projects which are part of our mission and ministry which would be great to see come to life with a bit more financial investment:

growing our choir with extra resources and school engagement;
increased publicity and literature for evangelism in the parish;
rejuvenating the Toddler Group; and exploring
missional giving through Christian charities...

All of these things cost money which we don't have spare.

But they're all really exiciting!

So what next?

Already giving to St Bart's?

please consider reviewing your giving to see how you can better support the life and ministry of our church.

New to giving?

please consider signing up to the Parish Giving Scheme, so that you can start to support the life of our church financially.

The Parish Giving Scheme

The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a secure and simple way of giving to St Bart’s, and it is our preferred method of giving. It works by making a Direct Debit from your bank account which is then passed on to us. You can also opt to add Gift Aid which PGS claims on our behalf, at no extra cost to you, passing an additional 25% to us automatically.

There is also an option give regularly, and to automatically increase your gift annually. PGS will write to you and advise you of the new amount in advance, so you can choose to add more or to decrease the amount if you wish. If the majority of our planned givers were to opt for this, it would have a huge, positive impact on our finances.

Find out more by clicking the button below.

Parish Giving Scheme

Legacy Giving

Leaving a gift in your Will to your local church is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can continue to support Christian mission and ministry in your community. A gift can be an expression of your gratitude and thanksgiving towards God, and can help keep your local church alive, and help transform its future.

We encourage all people, young and old, to consider leaving a gift to St Bart’s in their will. No matter how large or small, each gift can make a significant impact on our work here, maintaining our spiritual heritage, and ensuring our church continues to be a place of worship and fellowship for generations to come.

Our policy

We recognise that needs change over the years, and so it is our PCC policy to encourage church members to leave a gift in your will for the general purposes of the parish, rather than for a restricted purpose. Wherever possible, legacy gifts are used to fund projects in the parish. The PCC will discuss with executors the most appropriate use of the gift in the light of current projects and the donor’s known areas of interest.

Suggested wording for your will:

“ I give ____ % of my residuary estate OR I give the sum of £____(pounds only) free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the parish of St Bartholomew Long Benton in the Diocese of Newcastle for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.”

We strongly advise you see a solicitor when writing or amending your will.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I give?

There isn’t a single “right” amount. Christians are encouraged to give prayerfully and proportionately. Traditionally Christians were encouraged to work towards giving around 5% of their net income to the church and 5% to other charities, but this is a guide, not a rule. What matters most is giving thoughtfully, regularly, and joyfully.

Why does the church need money?

While the gospel is free, ministry is not cost-free. Our giving enables: worship and pastoral care ministry with children and young people, maintaining our church building as a place for the whole community, clergy stipends, housing, and training, outreach and mission locally and globally. Regular giving allows the church to plan confidently and serve generously.

What is Parish Share, and why do we pay it?

Parish Share is how churches work together across the diocese to sustain ministry everywhere. It contributes to clergy ministry, training future priests, safeguarding, and supporting parishes in areas with fewer financial resources. Paying Parish Share is an expression of being part of the wider Church of England; no church is an island.

Why not just reduce what we pay in Parish Share?

Parish Share is not a “bill” for services but a shared commitment to the mission of the whole church. Reducing it may ease local pressure temporarily, but it directly affects ministry elsewhere and the sustainability of clergy across the diocese.

I already give my time; does money still matter?

Time and gifts are incredibly valuable, and the church depends on your time and your gifts too. Financial giving is simply another way of participating in God’s work. Together, prayer, service, and generosity form a balanced Christian response.

What if my circumstances change?

Giving should never become a burden. You can change or pause your giving at any time. The most important thing is to give in a way that is responsible and life-giving for you.

Does my gift really make a difference?

Yes! Parish ministry is sustained not by a few large donors but by many faithful gifts offered together. Every contribution helps ensure that worship continues, people are supported in times of joy and sorrow, and the church remains present for the whole community.

Is Gift Aid important?

Yes! If you pay UK income tax, Gift Aid allows the church to reclaim an extra 25p for every £1 you give, at no extra cost to you. It is one of the simplest ways to increase the impact of your giving.