At the start of this week I knew I wanted to write about radical communities. What I didn’t know was that we’d have witnessed yet another devastating event with another community coming together through hope and generosity in the midst of horror and despair.
This is a story of how one evening spent counting the offering at church changed my perspective on giving forever. It’s a story of generosity at its most beautiful and most heartbreaking. It’s a story to remind you to look for the unexpected in the ordinary and never to be afraid to have your whole worldview altered by one simple act, by someone you would never have associated with, were it not for the church.
This is a story about boiled sweets.
Following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington, London, we have been working to identify organisations working locally that are providing urgent aid to those directly affected, and those with the resources and infrastructure to help in the long term.
In the wake of three terror attacks in as many months, it is inevitable that we are asking some hard questions of our leaders. It is not just the politicians who must search for answers. As Christians living in an age of religion-motivated terror, have our attitudes towards Muslims changed? Are we tempted to back away from them, or do we feel compelled to engage?
The British Red Cross has launched a new UK Solidarity Fund to help the victims of terror anywhere in the UK following Saturday’s attack in London.
Stewardship are pleased to be able to provide a quick and simple way for people to donate to the fund. Click here to make a gift now.
“We just have an independent examination because it’s a legal requirement.” That may be one approach to this annual exercise – but is it the best way to gain value from the process? Let’s take a look at what an independent examination isn’t, then what it is, and see how you might get the most from it.
The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) has been with us since 6 April 2013 and although widely welcomed at that time, the amount claimed under the Scheme to date is far lower than was envisaged by the government when the Scheme was introduced. Partly to help address this lower take-up, and partly to address criticism that the eligibility criteria was restrictive; some of the rules of the Scheme have been amended for donations received after 5 April 2017.
What is it that makes charities different from businesses? Well there are a number of things; first and foremost, the purpose of a charity must fall within one of the 13 charitable purposes set out in legislation. Second, the governance structure is normally different with unpaid volunteer trustees taking overall responsibility for the charity. Then somewhere way down the list of differences comes fund accounting, a concept unique to charities.
All churches have a treasurer, that person that gets on with looking after the finances. For many churches the treasurer is the person who looks after the finance, counts the offering, administers the payroll, pays the invoices and the expense claims, draws up the budget, handles Gift Aid and produces the annual accounts. When explained like this, it is easy to see why there is a shortage of willing church treasurers!!
Recently I was in a Bible study where the group was discussing homelessness.
One lady told how she was approached by a guy on the street for money, but asked what she could get him to drink instead.
She was slightly taken aback when he replied specifically, “A caramel macchiato.”
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.
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