Donations

This is a personal decision for each of us, based on our unique circumstances, and we must make it with careful thought and prayer.

In his second letter to the Corinthians St Paul encourages all Christians to give from the heart, joyfully, in love and gratitude for what God has done and entrusted to us. Giving – of time, energy, patience, attendance, and indeed money is a core part of the Christian life.

Tithing – the giving back to God of 10% of our income – has a strong basis in scripture, and can be a good starting point for our prayer and deliberation. Some may need to give less than this, while others may be able to give more.

The Diocese of Canterbury’s finances are entirely separate from the Cathedral, from the Archbishop’s work at Lambeth Palace, and from the Church Commissioners (the body who manage the Church of England’s historic endowment fund, which is most of the CofE wealth). Canterbury is the second poorest Diocese in the Church of England by assets per capita, and faces difficult financial decisions.

83% of the Diocese of Canterbury’s income is made up of Parish Share payments. This helps to pay for clergy stipends, the upkeep of Rectories and Vicarages, the team around the Bishop of Dover, and Diocesan staff including the safeguarding team, the children and young people’s advisor, Archdeacons, the team who oversee changes to Church fabric, and others who regularly support our Benefice with advice and guidance.

There is an important ongoing public conversation about how the Church Commissioners could support parish ministry through the CofE’s historic wealth, but even if hypothetically every penny of income from their endowment fund was distributed evenly across all parishes each would only receive £8,000 a year (and a means-tested formula would reduce our share further).

No matter how large or small a gift, leaving something to St St Peter and St Paul’s in your Will ensures the future of our building, mission, music, and prayer and leaves you with an eternal connection to Worth’s Church.

Legacies left to the general charitable purposes of St Peter and St Paul’s allow the PCC to use them where they are most needed, which may be in areas unforeseen at this time. Alternatively, a Legacy may be left to go towards a specific purpose or aim, and we are able to accept gladly individual items or property, though we recommend you speak to the Honorary Treasurer or Rector first to ensure that your wishes can be followed out as fully as possible.

God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and the world peace and concord; and to us and all his servants, life everlasting.

The PCC are unable to offer financial advice,
but the following wording may assist your
solicitor or professional advisor:

For a General Residuary Bequest:
“I give the whole [or a share, for example
one half/one third, etc] of the residue of my
estate to the Parochial Church Council of the
Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter and St Paul’s Worth,
operating from St Clement’s Church Hall,
Church Street Saint Clement, Sandwich, Kent
CT13 9EH,
to be used by the Parochial Church Council at
its absolute discretion.”

For a Restricted Residuary Bequest:
“I give the whole [or a share, for example
one half/one third, etc] of the residue of my
estate to the Parochial Church Council of the
Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter and St Paul’s Worth,
operating from St Clement’s Church Hall,
Church Street Saint Clement, Sandwich, Kent
CT13 9EH, and express the wish that they should apply the
money to ____. Should this area of work not be
in need at the time of my death, the Parochial
Church Council may use the funds at its
absolute discretion.”

For a General Pecuniary Bequest:
“I bequeath to the Parochial Church Council
of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter and St Paul’s Worth, operating from St Clement’s
Church Hall, Church Street Saint Clement,
Sandwich, Kent CT13 9EH, the sum of £______, to
be used by the Parochial Church Council at its
absolute discretion.”

For a Restricted Pecuniary Bequest:
“I bequeath to the Parochial Church Council
of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter and St Paul’s Worth, operating from St Clement’s
Church Hall, Church Street Saint Clement,
Sandwich, Kent CT13 9EH, the sum of £______,
and express the wish that they should apply
the money to ____. Should this area of work
not be in need at the time of my death, the
Parochial Church Council may use the funds
at its absolute discretion.”