When I got married I took on responsibilities that I did not have when I was single… Provision of a home, partnership in the raising of children, contributing to the shared costs of living together. Council tax, utility bills, some of which were items that I did not actually use but accepted as part of my new life.

In the same way I regard stewardship as one of the ongoing responsibilities that I took up when I became a member of the Church. I contribute a share towards the costs of the greater family of which St Andrews is a part.

Compared with other things in this material world The budgetary impact is relatively cheap.

For instance: A Sunday newspaper costs about £1.40 and occupies me for about 1 hour, including the crossword. A trip to the cinema costs £7.50 for a two hour film, popcorn excluded, and a £10 Easter Egg was demolished by my granddaughter in 30 seconds flat! Although I must admit that 75% of the cost of the egg must have been wrapping destined for the bin anyway.

Sorry, the rant about unneccessary packaging will have to wait for another time.

If I am prepared to spend those sums on ephemeral items then why does it seem so hard to spend a comparable sum on sharing God's love with my brothers and sisters in Barming?
I won't be here forever (but it would be nice to see man step on the Moon once more) and surely Stewardship = Guardianship = Caretaker for the next generation.

Have a think, and a pray. See if you can commit the price of a pie and a pint (or a packet of fags) to the Lord's work.

Where the money goes (Click on a heading for an expanded explanation).

Administration The people who carry out the neccessary administrative, legal, financial and pastoral work of the Diocese.	500,000
Training Curates (College Training, Salary, Housing). Training (OLM's, ALM's & Readers).	1,260,000
Senior Clergy 2 Bishops, 2 Archdeacons and their work of support for parishes and clergy. (The total cost is 400,000 but most is paid by the Church Commissioners and the Cathederal).	135,000
National Church The Diocesan contribution to National Church costs including General Synod.	135,000
Clergy Salary, Pension contributions, Housing, Council Tax,National Insurance, Continuing Training.	5,250,000
Special Ministries Extra Ministry and support to parishes by 2 Diocesan Missioners. Licenced Lay Workers etc. Ministry outside the Parish network such as the chaplaincy at the University of Kent, the Rural Officer and Church in Society.	135,000
Services Church Schools support, Stewardship, Gift Aid, Publishing, Criminal Records and Child Protection, The Diocesan Advisory Committee.	350,000

Ways of giving

Weekly offering	Committing yourself to a regular offertory sum through the 'envelope' scheme.
Gift Aid	If you pay income tax, St Andrews can recover the tax on your giving as an extra donation.
Time and Talents	They also serve who mow the grass or clean out the gutters. You can let us know the things you are willing to help with by filling in a Time and Talent form.
Legacies.	A bequest can be made "After you've gone". Advice and informative literature is available at a website dedicated to the making and revising of wills

Forms

Financial Stewardship
Time and Talents