Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings
February has been an eventful month and also seen the arrival of the daffodils and primroses - what a wonderful sight! Since January we have had to hold our services in the main hall as we await the repair of the ceiling that has come down in the church. It has been decided to go ahead with the work of repair and re-decoration and we hope that this will start very soon and then we can return to worship in the church. Many thanks to all who have ensured that our worship has continued and it has been an interesting experience for us all.
At the end of February, we held the well-publicised Coffee Morning and Discussion based on two reports that have been widely circulated. 36 folk came along and we were grateful to the Rev Jonathan Todd who kindly led the meeting as our own Minister is, sadly, still on sick leave. We hope that his health improves and he will be back with us again. Plenty of ideas were forthcoming and we await a report and then, hopefully, we will decide a plan for our future.
Another meeting that I attended was for all the church treasurers from our nine circuit churches and this was led by the new Circuit Treasurer, Keith Miller. Keith gave us some interesting facts and figures and, naturally, Keith's main concern was the finance required to maintain the circuit in its present form (Minister's Stipends and Expenses, two Manses, and other property to include Centenary House and Knebworth Road, Bexhill. There is also the District levy and other smaller expenses). These total £200K. Estimated income for the circuit is £182K so there is a budget shortfall of £18K.
There are 296 members in the circuit and there is also other sundry income to take into account. Keith informed us that if each member of the circuit would increase their giving by £1 per week this could cover the shortfall (we are told that the average weekly giving at our circuit churches totals £9 per week per person).
Turning to our own Christchurch finances we are again having a Gift Day to link with the special service for our 119th Church Anniversary on Sunday 15th March at 10.30am - do try to come along. The church was opened in 1907. This is also Mothering Sunday and the service is led by Mrs Drina Hampson. Attached to this Messenger you will find a Gift Day envelope for your kind use. We have had a number of exceptional expenses and hope, if possible, that you will feel able to help with our running costs - also to complete the Gift Aid form attached to the envelope (if you are a taxpayer). Thank you.
On Friday 6th March at 10.30am the World Day of Prayer will be held at St Stephen's Church and hopefully will be well attended by the Christchurch folk. Posters give full details.
The Palm Sunday Service Sunday 29th March is being led by Rev Cynthia Park and March sees the journey through the Lent period culminating with Easter Day on Sunday 5th April and this is always an uplifting experience.
In conclusion we should express our thanks to all who have enabled the church to continue to move on despite the disappointments of the damage at our church. Hopefully it will not be too long before we are back in our rightful 'Home' again. Thank you for your presence and giving at this time - they are much appreciated.
Barry Turnwell, (Hon Church Treasurer and a Property Steward)
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