I am pleased to say that we have never had any money worries here at St Aidan's. We receive absolutely no financial support from either the Archdiocese or the State. Christian giving from our members has always met our needs. Time and time again our faith has shown that God always provides for those needs through the thankful, joyful freewill offerings of His people, us! ("God loves a cheerful giver" - 2 Corinthians 9:7).
You have my promise before the Lord that you will never find me or any other member of the clergy appealing for folks to give more. That decision is strictly between the believer and God ... and that's how it will stay.
Nonetheless it is the duty of the priest to present the gospel in every aspect of our lives ... and that includes our finances. Huge chunks have to be torn out of the Bible by those who suppose otherwise. So, how do we arrange these matters practically in our parish?
Every year in mid-March we have what we call "Thanksgiving Sunday." This is a Sunday when, at the end of the Liturgy, we (privately and in silence) complete a simple pledge card indicating our commitment to give a specific amount week by week or month by month to God's work through His Church for the following year.
No Church can plan its activities without a budget so that it can make the best use of its resources. Knowing in advance what those resources are, therefore, is a vital part of our planning. Doing this in a thoughtful and respectful way is part of our care for one another.
The actual decision of course is of no interest or concern to either the clergy or the treasurer. It is arrived at through one thing only ... PRAYER ... your prayer. So, to help you make a prayerful decision we publish a teaching leaflet each year, two weeks before Thanksgiving Sunday. Read it here:
Please read this leaflet carefully over the next two weeks; give thanks to God for whatever you have, be it little or great, and make your decision, singly or as a family, so that God can bless our offering on 17th March and for the following year.
Fr Gregory