One of our churches features in a new film for the Church of England explaining how gifts in wills can help to transform the lives of our local churches and communities
St Johns Church, Kirkheaton in the Episcopal Area of Huddersfield used two legacies to transform its access and make it much easier for the elderly, disabled and young families to come to church.
In the film, entitled ‘A Lasting Difference’, the rector, the Revd Richard Steel, explains what a difference it has made to the local church community.
The film has been launched this week to mark Christian Legacy Week and is part of a campaign to encourage parishes and churches to talk to their congregations about the power of legacy giving.
This short film features three inspiring case studies from parish churches where gifts have enabled amazing opportunities for mission - from new church halls, to hiring a youth worker and improving disabled access.
With a theological introduction from the Chair of the National Stewardship Committee, The Bishop of Carlisle, this short film provides helpful support and advice to PCCs on how and why to encourage this important area of Christian giving.
John Preston, National Stewardship Officer at the Church of England, said: “The call to Christian stewardship doesn't just apply to our church and charitable giving - we're called to be generous in all of our giving throughout life and at the end of life. The Church of England encourages its members to give 5% of their income to the local church and a similar amount to charities that the Lord puts on their hearts.”
Jo Beacroft Mitchell, one of our diocesan Giving and Stewardship officers explained: “Christian legacies week is a great time to consider how good stewardship continues throughout our lives. Writing a will not only ensures peace of mind for us and for our loved ones, it can be an opportunity for us to reflect on all that we have been blessed with and to consider what we might want to leave to our church family so that they, and we, can continue to be a blessing for the future. So many of our churches in West Yorkshire and the Dales have stories to tell of how legacies have made an impact on their congregations – and it is great to see just one of our inspiring local stories being celebrated in this national campaign. If your church would like to think more about legacies please feel free to contact your local stewardship advisors or the national hotline.”
You can view A Lasting Difference short film by clicking here
Gifts in wills are a hugely valuable source of income to our parish churches, with around £50 million being left to churches each year. This money is used to finance mission projects, maintain church buildings and grow faithful communities. In 2013 we saw a significant increase in the number and size of gifts left to our churches.
For many people, leaving a gift in their will is a final opportunity to make a lasting gift to God. Many church members would like to know how they could leave a gift to their Church, although some might be reticent about asking.
Christian Legacy Week seeks to encourage discussions around leaving a legacy being just as normal in church as talking about life after death and living a life that ‘makes a difference’. That’s why they and the Church of England are providing free resources to help churches talk about gifts in wills over the course of the week.
Christian Legacy Week is run by a group of leading Christian charities, including Care for the Family, the Bible Society, Church Mission Society, the TLG, Livability and Stewardship.
Daniel Jones from Stewardship added: “We’re very excited to be encouraging churches to get involved with Christian Legacy Week this year. Talking about death and what we leave behind should not be a taboo subject for Christians.
Find out more:
If you would like to find out more about how your church can encourage gifts in wills or how a gift in your will could make a difference, please contact your local Giving and Stewardship Officer, Jo Beacroft Mitchell, Uell Kennedy or Paul Winstanley, or Eleanor Gill in Church House, London on 020 7898 1564 or eleanor.gill@churchofengland.org