Monthly E-newsletter from the Finance, and Resourcing Parishes Teams

'God loves a cheerful Giver' by Diocesan Secretary Jonathan Wood 

Free contactless devices: information session

Promoting the Parish Giving Scheme 

Church building grants

'Writing a great grant application' webinar

Bradford Giving Day

Farewell and hello

ACAT training

Key dates

A memorable day of cricket for our Diocesan Secretary Jonathan, and his son Josh...

On a recent visit to Trent Bridge, Jonathan and his son had a lovely surprise encounter with cricketer Jonny Bairstow. Jonathan reflects on this and on what our attitudes to giving should be. 

Free contactless devices available for parishes

Digital giving is being expanded across the diocese this summer, thanks to new free contactless giving devices being made available to parishes.

70 contactless devices will be given to churches all across the diocese, as part of a nationwide roll-out supported by the Church of England’s National Giving Team.

In our diocese, the project will be launched on Monday July 4, when the application process for churches opens. A project pre-launch information session will be held on Friday 1^st July by Zoom and all are welcome to attend.

For more information regarding the project click here or contact Stewardship officer Janet Edmond at janet.edmond@leeds.anglican.org.

To register for the Digital Project Pre-launch Information Session on Friday 1^st July at 1pm please click below.

PGS Zoom clinic – Promoting the PGS

If you missed the recent PGS Zoom Clinic which included a presentation on different ways to promote the PGS to your congregation you can watch a recording of the presentation here using passcode: esWP3er?

Calling all PCCs!

If your PCC members are considering joining the PGS and would like more information to aid their discussion please request a free pack of PGS information leaflets by emailing Janet Edmond ( Stewardship Officer) at janet.edmond@leeds.anglican.org. 

Church building grants

Do you need a small grant to help fund maintenance and repair works to your church building?

The next application deadline for the Church Buildings Grants scheme is on Thursday 30^th June. For more information and to download an application form please see link here

'How to write a great grant application' webinar

We have access to one of the UKs largest funding portals from Funding For Community, enabling you to find a funder for your church project.

A webinar recording by Matthew Godfrey of Funding For Community demonstrating how to use the portal can be viewed here. 

You can find out how to apply for grants at our own 'How to write a great grant application' webinar on Monday 27th June at 2pm-2.45pm.



Please click the link below to register your place.

We have enjoyed visiting towns around the diocese to talk about giving and the exploration of the opportunities for growing a generous church has been appreciated by attendees.

'The sessions were incredibly helpful and gave me plenty of ideas to take back to the PCC'

We have one remaining Giving Day on 29th June at the Bradford Area offices in Bingley. Details are below.  

Weds 29th June 2022 – Bradford Area Offices, Bingley

Farewell and Hello

In the coming few weeks we will be saying farewell to Interim Financial Accountant Elwira Lapinska. Elwira has been covering for Jenni Robinson who has been on maternity leave.Elwira leaves with our very best wishes and grateful thanks for covering the role so well over the last 9 months. 

Jenni Robinson has previously worked in the finance team but is joining the resourcing parishes team and one of her responsibilities will be to support treasurers in all aspects of parish finance. Do get in touch with Jenni if you need support.

We are also saying farewell to our Diocesan Intern Jack Smith who is leaving to start his professional working life in data analytics. Jack has been an invaluable help to the finance team throughout the year.

I am also leaving the Diocese in mid-July after working as Lead Stewardship Officer for over 3 years, to take a position with Better Leeds Communities. I have enjoyed working with and supporting every one of you, whether it be talking to your PCC or answering a simple query on the phone. Thank you.

We will soon be advertising for my replacement, so please keep a look out for that and share it with anyone you think may be interested.

Becky Nicholson

28th June 2022 - (national target date) Return of Parish Finance – (to allow parishes sufficient time to prepare the figures from the independently examined or audited financial statements that will have been approved by the PCC)

30th June 2022 - Deadline for submission of 2021 accounts to your espicopal area office

31st October 2022 - Charity Commission annual return