Giving to the church is not just about meeting financial needs—it’s a vital part of our discipleship and commitment to the mission of Christ. When we give, we are participating in the life and ministry of the church, helping it to flourish as a community of worship, service, and love.

​

Why Giving Matters

The local church exists because of the generosity of its people. We receive no central funding from the Church of England or the government to cover our everyday costs. Every light switched on, every baptism celebrated, every pastoral visit made, and every children's activity offered is made possible by what we collectively give.

​

This giving keeps the church warm and open, supports ministry to all ages, enables worship and prayer, provides a Christian presence in our communities, and allows us to respond to need with compassion and practical help. When we give, we’re not only paying bills—we’re empowering mission.

​

Giving as Discipleship

Discipleship is about following Jesus in every part of our lives, including our relationship with money. Giving regularly and generously is one way we express our trust in God, our gratitude for what we’ve received, and our commitment to the flourishing of others.

​

Some people give as an act of worship, some as a spiritual discipline, and others as a joyful response to God’s goodness. However we come to it, financial giving becomes part of how we live out our faith.

​

Where the Money Goes

Your giving supports:

• The General Fund – this covers the daily running costs of the church: heating, insurance, ministry expenses, worship resources, and our parish share which supports clergy and wider diocesan ministry.

• Children and Families Ministry – supporting our commitment to grow younger and create spaces where faith can be nurtured.

• Churchyard Fund – helping maintain a sacred space of peace, remembrance, and community heritage.

• Fabric Fund – caring for our buildings so they can serve future generations.

• Specific Projects – occasionally we run appeals for particular needs or vision-led developments.

 

Ways to Give

We want giving to be easy, accessible, and flexible:

• Parish Giving Scheme – our preferred method for regular giving, secure and tax-efficient.

• QR Codes – scan in church or online to give directly to general or specific funds.

• Collection Plate – bring cash or envelopes to any service.

• One-off Donations – online or by cheque.

• Legacies – a powerful way to leave a lasting impact beyond your lifetime.

 

Small Regular Gifts Add Up

Think small gifts don’t make a difference? Think again!

​

• A weekly gift of £3 (less than a takeaway coffee) becomes £156 per year.

• Add Gift Aid (if you're a UK taxpayer), and it becomes £195.

• Two people doing this gives nearly £400.

• A family giving £10 per week gives £520 a year, or £650 with Gift Aid—enough to cover children’s materials for a whole year.

 

Every gift, however small, helps us keep going and growing.

 

What If We Can't Pay Our Way?

If we don’t meet our financial needs, we face hard choices: reducing ministry, delaying building repairs, cutting events or outreach, or even struggling to stay open. But together, we can share the responsibility and the joy of being a living church.

​

Giving isn't just about keeping the lights on—it’s about shining light into the community.

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

The Parish Giving Scheme – A Better Way to Give

 

The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a national initiative designed to make regular giving to your local church simple, secure, and efficient. It’s the best way to support our church regularly, helping us plan wisely and sustain our ministry into the future.

​

Instead of setting up a standing order through your bank, the PGS processes your gift on our behalf and transfers it directly to the church each month. If you're a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid is automatically claimed and added—boosting your donation by 25% at no cost to you. What’s more, all donations come straight to us without fees being taken off.

​

Why choose the Parish Giving Scheme?

• Consistency helps us plan: Knowing what income is coming in month by month means we can plan our ministry with greater confidence—from our work with children and families, to community outreach, to maintaining our buildings and churchyards.

• It’s easy for you: Once you're set up, everything runs automatically. You can update or pause your gift at any time. You’ll also receive an annual statement for your records.

• It helps us grow sustainably: The scheme offers an option to increase your gift annually in line with inflation, if you choose. This means your support keeps pace with rising costs without you needing to think about it.

• It’s secure and reliable: The scheme is run nationally, but the money comes directly to your parish. It’s supported by the Church of England and recommended by dioceses across the country.

 

The Parish Giving Scheme is a vital tool in helping churches like ours become financially sustainable, freeing us from the uncertainty of seasonal giving or last-minute appeals. When we know we can meet our regular costs, we can be more generous, more creative, and more focused on serving our community and growing in faith together.

 

How to get started

It’s really easy to sign up. You can give:

• Monthly, quarterly or annually

• By Direct Debit

• With the option to increase your gift annually with inflation

• With Gift Aid automatically claimed if you are eligible

 

To sign up or find out more:

• Visit the Parish Giving Scheme website

• Contact us at the church if you’d like a starter pack or help signing up

• Or pick up a leaflet in church, where we can answer any questions you may have

• To sign up to the Parish Giving Scheme for St Leonard's Church

 

Even a small regular gift through the PGS goes a long way. It’s the best way to give, and every pound really does help us build a healthier, more hopeful future.

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

Giving FAQs

Do I have to be a church member to give?
No—anyone can give, whether you're part of our regular worshipping community or simply want to support what the church does.

​

Is there a minimum I have to give?
Absolutely not. Every donation matters, and we’re grateful for any amount.

​

What’s the best way to give regularly?
The Parish Giving Scheme is secure, easy to manage, and ensures your gift goes directly to our church. It’s our recommended method.

​

What is Gift Aid?
If you're a UK taxpayer, the government adds 25p to every £1 you give—at no extra cost to you. That’s a big boost for us!

​

Can I give to a specific area?
Yes. You can choose to support the general fund, the churchyard, children’s work, or fabric needs. Just let us know when you give.

​

What if my circumstances change?
You can change or pause your giving at any time—just let us know. Your wellbeing comes first.

​

How do I leave a legacy?
Speak to us confidentially—we can guide you on including the church in your will.

​

 

Together, our giving becomes a shared story of faith, generosity, and possibility. Thank you for all you do to keep that story going.

​

​

​

Would you like to donate now?

​

To donate to the general fund of the church which is used for the day to day upkeep of the church and our ministry you can scan the QR code below. We thank you for your generosity.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

If you like to donate to the upkeep of our churchyard, the QR code below ensures that 100% of your donation is spent to keep it maintained. We thank you for your generosity.