Giving
Our Income and Expenditure:
The income at St Andrew’s is entirely dependent upon two sources. First we receive rental income from the various groups who use the St Andrew’s Centre. Secondly, people give to the church. As a charity, gift aid can be claimed on these voluntary contributions. Many of the events we hold and groups we run as a church operate on a donation basis. In 2025 the lettings income totalled £36.7k. Donations came to £45.5k.
In church you will see we keep a display which provides information about what this money goes towards. We also keep our congregation regularly informed on this through our WYGG (‘Where Your Giving Goes’) feature in our weekly notices. This also features content on why, as Christians, giving is a part of our discipleship and service to God.
In 2025 our total expenditure came to £93k. Our budgeted expenditure for 2026 is £95k which includes our £21k contribution towards the Diocesan Common Fund (see below*). This total figure excludes any 'one off' significant expenditure items on, for example, the church's roof or the heating system when things go wrong.
Planned Giving by Standing Order/Direct Debit:
In the gospel of Mark, Chapter 12, Jesus commends the offering of two small copper coins from a poor widow. Comparing her offering to the rich who pay in large sums he says ‘all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had’. The level of our giving will vary enormously but, as Christians, should be sacrificial for each of us.
Planned giving or direct debit is by far the most effective way to make a contribution towards the church’s running costs. Knowing what our regular income is likely to be really helps the PCC to manage our cash flow, plan future expenditure, decide on the amount we can contribute towards the Common Fund and budget accordingly. Monthly standing orders also gives you control to change the amount or stop payments at any time. preference.
Setting up a standing order takes just a few minutes with your bank. You will need our bank details which are as follows:
ACCOUNT NAME: THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF ALEXANDRA PARK
SORT CODE: 20-58-51
ACCOUNT NO: 80711810
BANK: BARCLAYS
Other ways of making a donation:
a) Secure Online Donations
If you prefer, you can also donate through a secure online transaction portal HERE.
b) Card Machines
We have a card machine both in Church and in the Centre. You can choose an amount and then tap your card on the Sumup Card Reader device when prompted.
c) By Cash
We are happy to receive cash donations or cheques made payable to 'The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Alexandra Park'.
Making the most of your giving – Gift Aid:
If you are a taxpayer then we would urge you also to Gift Aid your donations, either through your standing order or by using the envelopes provided in church. Gift Aid can also be added via the card machines. By this simple act we will receive an additional 25% on top of the amount of your gift. You can download the form here and return it to the church office in person or via email: office@alexandrapark.org
Legacies:
Some people choose to leave a gift to St Andrew's in their Will. If this is something you would consider, we would suggest that you use the services of a Solicitor or other professional adviser to do so which will ensure that your wishes are properly recorded and followed.
Specific Donations:
Specific donations can be made if you would like your your gift to go towards something in particular. The PCC monitors our restricted funds which are detailed in our published accounts and we can ensure your wishes are adhered to.
Thank You:
Thank you for your generosity in supporting the ministry of St Andrew’s Church. Your gifts make so much of this possible. If you have any comments or questions about any aspect of our church finances, please do not hesitate to talk to Hugh Reynolds our Treasurer, Fr Andy or one of the Churchwardens.
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*The Common Fund
The Common Fund allows the London Diocese to put a priest in nearly every parish. It pays their wages, their pension, their housing, their training and it even pays for the training of a parish’s next priest. At present, because of our particular circumstances, St Andrew's is being significantly subsidised through the Common Fund contributions of other parishes across the diocese.
What is it?
The Common Fund is money given by congregations in every parish in the Diocese of London. It is collected from rich and poor parishes, to provide and support clergy, and to further our work in every parish, across London. That is why our contributions are called the ‘Common Fund’; they are made by everyone, for everyone. Generous giving by congregations enables the Diocese to live out the 2030 Vision; to maintain ministry and enable mission in all parts of the Diocese of London.
The Common Fund is about every parish seeing itself as part of the big picture and giving generously and sacrificially. This means parishes are able to help fund work and worship in places where people contribute to the big picture in amazing ways but do not have the financial resources to meet the cost of ministry. It is how we express being one body by doing more together than we could ever do alone.
Why we need to contribute?
We need to contribute to Common Fund:
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To enable the Church to work throughout London as a sign of our commitment to proclaim Christ’s Gospel.
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To share our resources with our fellow Christians because we recognise the importance of our Church’s mission for the future.
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In thanks for God’s generosity towards us because we believe wholeheartedly in our Christian faith.
Diocesan finances
Briefly, money comes in from: parishes (Common Fund), rents, investments and donations. The Diocese then spends it on:
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paying parish clergy, including pension, NI, Council Tax
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housing for clergy
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training for new priests and existing clergy
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giving to other less affluent dioceses in England
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developing lay ministry
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supporting parishes in many other ways
What is the average cost of a parish?
The basic running costs of the parish; heating, lighting, insurance, repairs, services etc; are paid for by the congregation. On top of this, supporting one full time priest in a parish and contributing a fair share of the costs of other activities is estimated to amount to around £105,090 per parish for 2026. You can find out more about the common fund in the following links:
Common Fund | Diocese of London
Who decides how much a parish contributes?
Each parish’s PCC decides. Each parish is told the costs of keeping its clergy and its share of other costs. The PCC makes an offer based on its knowledge of its own finances and diocesan finances. The generous offer reflects the parish’s ability to give as well as how much it costs to run the parish.
What happens if the Diocese doesn’t receive enough Common Fund?
In past years when contributions to the Common Fund have not been sufficient there have been reductions in clergy and lay posts. In some parishes, self-supporting clergy have been appointed, or two parishes have been amalgamated. This may be necessary once again if sufficient funds are not available. Selling property and reducing central costs never provides a long term solution to a lack of income.
