The month of January doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to mental health. This year especially, when so many more people are isolated and vulnerable, it’s an ideal moment to consider how we could give our time and resources to help those suffering from depression and anxiety.
So you’re planning a church capital appeal. Or perhaps you are already knee-deep in it. My guess is that you are likely to be processing any number of thoughts.
You may be wondering if the plans you were making last year have any meaning in the context of…you know what. Or you might be thinking that this is the ideal time to push ahead with a capital appeal – after-all, the options for using your building are limited these days, and who knows when you will get another opportunity to deliver building works that won’t inconvenience your congregation?
As Christians we are commanded to ‘Love our Neighbour’ but how can you do this while isolated at home?
It may surprise you to hear that I believe we are loving our neighbour more than ever in these times. Let me give you three examples:
The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of giving. It doesn’t just tell us that we should give, but also how, why, when, and who to. We’ve put together a list of well-known verses on giving and generosity to encourage and inspire you in your personal giving.
Gift Aid is big business and good news. In total Gift Aid is worth over £1 billion to charities each year providing a valuable income stream to charities large and small, including those supported by you!
It’s everyone’s favourite time of year… the end of the tax year! We know we’re a little early, but we also know that many of you love to plan ahead when it comes to your giving. So here are all the dates you need to know, to ensure your gifts fall in the 2020/2021 tax year.
If the pandemic has turned your circumstances upside down, if you’ve lost loved ones or your livelihood, or even if you’re just finding life lonely at the moment, then you may be able to relate to some of the pain that Naomi was suffering in the book of Ruth.
In accordance with the Government’s COVID-19 Guidance, many of us have been required to work at home for some or all of the period since March 2020. There are of course increased costs associated with this such as heating and lighting, metered water charges, telephone and so on. Where these costs have been incurred as a result of being required to work from home, they are tax deductible if not reimbursed in full by your employer.
Great! Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention (‘Furlough’) Scheme again. This time from 1 November to 31 March 2021. But each time the Scheme has been extended, the rules or calculations or both have changed. So what are the key things that you need to be aware of in making claims under the latest (‘new’) Scheme?
Two women: both Christian writers, both married to clergy, both mothers of four children. And both adoptive parents.
As Christmas approaches, they shared some of the ways they’re looking forward to living out generosity at home and in their communities, as well as the truths about giving that they’ve learnt since adopting.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.