CALLING ALL MEMBERS OF THE CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY - CONGREGATION & VISITORS, CHOIRS & MUSICIANS, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. OUR CATHEDRAL NEEDS US!
An Invitation to Stewardship 2011
This is a summary of a presentation made by Tom Green (member of the congregation and Lay Member of Chapter) at the Annual Meeting on Sunday 19 June.
Stewardship giving is a tangible expression of the special responsibility which we have as members of the Cathedral congregation and community, as custodians of this magnificent place, both the building and its purpose, for future generations.
Through Stewardship we give in two ways: Firstly we give of ourselves, through enthusiastic participation and support for the life and work of the Cathedral and, by example to others, encouragement to join the Cathedral family. Secondly we give our money, more of which later.
By these two means of giving we support and enable the Mission of the Cathedral: to be a Christian community of worship, welcome and care.
Our challenge in the fulfilment of that Mission is to ensure that this place is lively, inspiring and relevant in the 21st Century. The 'impact' of Ely Cathedral should reflect the scale of its magnificent physical presence, as well as its immense religious and cultural heritage. Through Stewardship we each play our part in tackling this challenge.
Stewardship 2010
A big thank you: In 2010 our stewardship giving increased by 10% from £75,500 to £83,000.These numbers are net of Gift Aid, which is the additional money which can be claimed on gifts made by UK taxpayers.
As well as increased giving, our other target in 2010 was to increase scheme membership numbers. Regrettably this has not happened, rather numbers have fallen from 159 to 151. Against this background the increase in giving is a proportionately greater achievement, but the need to extend membership - to widen the body who share in the commitment of stewardship is underlined.
Stewardship 2011
In April 2011 Gift Aid was reduced from 28p to 25p in the pound, so this year we have got to increase giving by some 3% just to stand still.
Please join the scheme if you are not a member.
Please consider increasing your level of giving if you are a member.
Please encourage others to join the scheme.
Please help us to maximise the efficiency of your giving by:
- Using Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer
- Using a Standing Order or the Weekly Envelope Scheme
Membership, Standing Order and Gift Aid forms are available from:
Peter Houghton, Stewardship Officer
Email: peter@phoughton6.orangehome.co.uk
Telephone: 01353 699750
Post: Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DL.
For further information on Stewardship 2011 please contact Peter Houghton, or Canon David Pritchard, or Canon Tom Green. THE RESPONSIBILITY IS OURS. PLEASE HELP
