This pandemic has been a strange experience. Whilst some of us are struggling more than ever financially, others of us find that we have more at our disposal. No more train fares, no more filling up with fuel, no more sandwich lunches in the local café, no more impulse purchases, no holiday, no theatre or cinema tickets – for once we have more money than month; our bank balance is actually going up!
Imagine having fifty-eight prom dresses hanging up in the wardrobe. Mostly strapless, with full skirts and embroidered with crystals and sequins, they come in all the colours of the rainbow and are one hundred per cent concert-ready. Their owner was too until the pandemic hit and she watched all her work disappear overnight.
Our Rapid Response Fund has provided international, student-led prayer movement 24/7 Prayer with a grant of £75,000 to continue their mission throughout COVID-19. They have since shared with us how this has impacted their organisation and describe their gratitude at being able to receive much-needed financial support during the current pandemic.
If you have a Stewardship Individual Recipient Account, did you know you can withdraw funds at any time?
If you have received an invitation email to update your account it only takes a few moments to do so. It’s so much clearer and easier to use. You can see your support raising target and your ministry expenses, so you know how much close relatives can give. You can also change the week you receive your scheduled payments from Stewardship.
Our Rapid Response Fund raised and distributed nearly £5 million to 88 UK churches and charities within 100 days of COVID-19 lockdown – aiding grass-root response to individuals and communities in need.
I have to raise my own salary?? I don’t think so…
I remember the feeling well. I was 21, had decided I wanted to work for Agape and was off to the head office in Birmingham to hear more. I loved the vision: helping students explore and find faith. I was inspired by the staff; determined to share the gospel with a ‘why wouldn’t you?’ attitude. And I was full of hope that God was going to use me.
I believe that people give because they carry the image of God – they have in them a divine piece of DNA which radiates grace. Rationally, it seems foolish for people to give £30,000,000 to a commercial fund-raising site because Honorary Colonel Sir Tom is walking up and down his garden. But when we see a need, and are inspired by a person, our default is an urge to give. Even if we often find reasons not to give, (I’ll do it later, I haven’t got enough myself, I don’t know how to give) there’s something in us that wants to join in with the generosity.
Stewardship’s church planting team, still in its infancy, was set up to serve those who feel God has placed a call on their heart to start a church. When statistics seem to show a decline in church attendance, it’s amazing to hear stories of people stepping out in faith to build God’s house. Pastors like Pete and Rachel Whittaker from Freedom Church Preston are leading the charge.
Whilst COVID-19 appears not to have significantly slowed the repayment of Gift Aid claims, HMRC has identified some common errors made on claims that do cause processing delays.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
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