All our work for the benefice, including the cost of our minister Becky, is run by volunteers and funded by donations which go towards a mixture of the upkeep of the fabric of our buildings, and the activities we run for the local community, as well as Sunday services and special occasions with only two principle exceptions regarding the costs for weddings and funerals.
Unfortunately, in the current financial climate the sums do not add up and the Diocese of York is subsidising us and has done for a few years now. This situation cannot be sustained much longer and our funding streams must increase.
If you are able to donate towards our work we would really appreciate your support in signing up as a Gift Aid donor.
If you would like to give by BACS our bank details are:
- Account name: Elloughton cum Brough with Brantingham PCC
- Sort Code: 09-01-51
- Account Number: 05049301
Regular giving
We accept all kinds of regular giving. Where possible, we would be very grateful if people can sign up for a regular standing order. This can be done directly through the bank using the bank details above.
We are also part of a free national scheme that supports local churches by managing direct debits on our behalf. This is called the Parish Giving Scheme and it helps us by paying Gift Aid into our accounts on a monthly basis. This allows us to budget more accurately for our regular costs. It also encourages us to review our giving annually in line with inflation. To find out more about the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) please visit their website www.parishgiving.org.uk, call 0333 002 1260, or email info@parishgiving.org.uk
We manage our finances jointly through the oversight of a joint Parochial Church Council for all our parishes. When you sign up you choose an individual parish church to support and each one has its own code:
- St Mary's Elloughton code is 430643352
- All Saints’ Brough code is 430643353
- All Saints’ Brantingham code is 430643345
Why giving matters
The church, like other organisations, has increasing costs in line with inflation. The largest cost we seek to find each year is to fund our minister. This reflects the five year minimum training and professional responsibilities that a Church of England Minister is required to hold. The role is one that is fulfilled through a recruitment process supported by the members of the church, as well as our local Bishop Revd Eleanor Sanderson, and Archdeacon Andy Broom.
Support for Revd Becky’s role is crucial because a minister is able to represent the church in the whole community, not just on Sundays. For example visiting schools, care homes and even local pubs and cafes. The Anglican church is here for everyone in our parishes, all 12,000 residents! That might be for baptisms, marriages and funerals or to be a guide through difficult times.
Volunteering
The minister’s role is also to build up other people to serve in church. Without a priest, volunteers do not have the support and guidance required to maintain and develop their involvement in the daily life of the church. Our volunteers give their time and energy in so many ways, through everything from gardening, cleaning and maintenance of our buildings, to preaching and leading services. Volunteers also run activities like toddler groups and bereavement support, keep our churches looking beautiful through flower arranging, and fundraise to make sure all the works required can be done in the background (including electrical testing, decorating, plumbing, refurbishments and fire safety).
Many other volunteers serve through administration. This includes our Treasurer who manages all our invoicing and payments, and our Safeguarding Officer who keeps us safe through DBS checks and keeping up to date with training. Our church wardens have a leadership role in managing individual churches, and our Joint Parochial Church Council is supported by other volunteers who come together to review the issues we are facing on a quarterly basis.
Since Revd Becky has started in post we have also started new initiatives through ‘Revitalise’ a Diocesan support for us as a community. This has included opening up church to visitors at Brantingham, trying new services at All Saints’ Brough, and beginning a community bereavement and friendship cafe at St Mary’s Hall.
If you would like to find out more about our volunteering opportunities, please visit the Getting Involved page.