John, our Treasurer and also our Parish Giving Officer recently addressed the Sunday morning congregation on his role as Parish Giving Officer. He handed out 2 booklets on the subject and links to these can be found below. 'Giving Money' is a booklet produced by the Diocese of Wakefield and 'Giving for Life' is a resource produced nationally by the Church of England. John explained that as Parish Giving Officer his role was to encourage us in our giving to God and he did this by reading a number of verses from the Bible on the subject of giving.

The 'Giving Money' booklet first outlines what the Bible has to say about giving to God. There are many Bible verses about giving and our attitude to giving. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV).

We give in response to God's giving to us "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

God not only gave us his Son but after the Resurrection the gift of his Holy Spirit who first came on the believers at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is himself a gift and he also gives gifts. Romans 12:6ff lists some of the more practical gifts which have been given. "We have differnet gifts, according to the grace given us.

We are also to direct our giving so that the work of the church may be effective in making the Kingdom of God visible to those around us. We give for the teaching ministry (1 Timothy 5:17), fot those in need (James 1:27) and for the church local and worldwide.

Our giving is to reflect the abundant giving of God. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you." These words of Jesus are recorded in Luke 6:38 and show us what God thinks about abundant giving.

We are to be thoughtful in our giving and remember that what we give is a seed from God which is given to us in order to produce an abundant harvest. The act of giving is also a time of great joy because as we have seen above, we know the abundant gifts God has given to us and also the abundant havest which God is able to bring forth as a result of our giving. As Isaiah the prophet said when talking about seed God's word will accomplish what he desires (Isaiah 55:10-11). St Paul picks up this theme "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God

Parish Treasurer's Report and Comments

As Treasurer I am delighted to give a good report at the end of the 2009 financial year. We have been able to pay our Parish Share in full and and are financially confident despite the worst year for the economy that we have known for some time.

I would like to say a VERY BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the Church finances in any way during the year and especially those who give on a regular weekly basis. Also a thank you to those who have responded to Glenn's letter at the start of 2009 re incresed giving.

This is not a new name for the Treasurer but a new role that has been brought out by the Wakefield Diocese. The idea is to have a central reference point in each parish and someone to coordinate the giving and encourage people and assist them in the various ways that they can give to the Church. From time to time reports will be made by the Parish Giving Officer and meetings attended to obtain updates of present thoughts and advice. It should ideally be someone other than the Treasurer but for the time being the hat has to fit the same head. If anyone wishes to take on the role then please have a word with John our Treasurer and he will let you know what is involved.