We would really like to commend the idea of using the Envelope Scheme for your weekly collection. To me the supply of envelopes is a reminder that the church needs our collection every week whether we are there or not. The unused envelope from last week is a reminder that we were away on holiday and we need to pay two weeks collection this week. Please will you think seriously about using the envelope system, it's a great benefit to the church? Talk to Martin Goodman, or Frank Furniss and we will get you started.

~ THE GIFT AID SCHEME ~
Gift Aid is a Government scheme, under the title 'Get Britain Giving', designed to help charities to increase their income. It works by allowing registered charities to reclaim some of the Income Tax paid by its supporters to the Government. In practice we are allowed to reclaim 28 pence of tax paid for every £1 of donations received. Here is an example: - If I pay income tax on my wage or pension, and each week I pay £1 into the collection, a total of £52 in a tax year, then the church can reclaim £14.50 of the tax I have paid, making my £52 donation worth £66.50p to the church. As with the envelope scheme we are able to report a steady rise in the number of our members who Gift Aid their donations to the church. In March 2001 there were 34 people taking part in gift aiding, in 2002 we had 37 donors, in 2003 the number had risen to 40, and this year we have 45 people with Gift Aid declarations.

Gift Aid is another scheme that we would want to commend to all our members and friends, and there is nothing difficult about it, in fact it is pure simplicity. There are two questions to ask, firstly, do I pay income tax on my wage or pension?, secondly, am I prepared for the church to keep a confidential record of my giving? If you are able to answer 'yes' to these two questions then gift aiding your giving is suitable for you and is a major benefit to the church. Please talk, in confidence, to Martin Goodman, or Frank Fumiss.
P.S. The most frequently asked question about Gift Aid. What happens if my circumstances change and my income reduces and my tax liability changes? The answer is that Gift Aid can be stopped at any time, at a minutes notice.