Stewardship Sunday 12 October 2025
As we enter the season of harvest, we give thanks for the fruit and growth of the past year and begin to look ahead, planning for the year to come.
We are deeply grateful for the generosity shown over the last 12 months — in financial giving, expertise, enthusiasm, and care. This time last year we faced a deficit, but through your gifts we are now in a much healthier position. Your support has enabled the PCC to plan wisely and invest in the life of our church and building. This Sunday we want to share with you some of the ways your giving has already borne fruit, and some of the things we are looking forward to. These are summarized below.
Looking Back
This past year we have seen:
· Music ministry grow in strength and depth, with people of all ages taking part. It has been especially encouraging to see younger members developing their gifts and leading us in worship.
· Our building become warmer and more sustainable, with new heating upstairs and triple glazing in the nave.
· Children’s ministry expand, not only in numbers but also in age range, with more secondary-school-aged children than we have had for some years.
Looking Ahead
At St Mark’s, we speak of a living, thinking, loving faith. In 2026, we will be investing in four areas that reflect these dimensions of our life together.
Living
Our faith is alive and responsive to the world around us. Eco-activism has long been a core value, and over the next year we will continue the programme of installing triple glazing in the nave. With so many windows, it is a significant project, but one that helps us care for creation and steward our resources responsibly.
Thinking
We are committed to providing space for people to think, question, and engage their minds in faith. Through Lent Groups, sermons, seminars, and the Thinking Faith Night Service, we will continue to nurture this important dimension of our discipleship.
Loving
Our faith calls us to look outward, modelling the care and inclusion we see in Jesus. A key question raised at recent APCMs has been how we can support other churches and engage with the Diocese in ways that reflect this. Over the past year, conversations with the Diocese have led to a new partnership with St Cuthbert’s, Fir Vale. Building on relationships begun by Sue Hammersley and others, we will explore what working together could look like. You can hear more about St Cuthbert’s and their foodbank at the 10am service on Sunday 19th October. Importantly, through this partnership St Cuthbert’s can also access strategic funding from the Diocese to support a new priest in charge, support posts, and much needed building work.
Faith
We are also seeking to grow our clergy team here. This week we have begun advertising for an Associate Priest, with a focus on ministry among teens, students, and young adults. Numbers in these age groups are slowly growing at St Mark’s, and we want to invest in these areas in the years ahead.
Giving Time
Volunteering is a key way to contribute to the life of the church. A list of opportunities is available in the notice sheet and at the back of church. These range from one-off tasks to regular commitments, and from practical help to ministry roles. Please prayerfully consider whether you could offer your time and gifts.
Giving Money
The Church of England encourages us to consider giving away 10% of income after tax, with 5% to the church and 5% to other charities. We know everyone’s circumstances differ, but regular giving — even in small amounts — makes a significant difference. While we expect a modest surplus this year it will need more than this to fund the new clergy post. Please reflect and pray about your giving.
David Armstrong, our treasurer, has produced a list of financial questions and answers (see below). These, and the church’s full accounts, are available on the website and at the back of church. If you have questions or want to know more about our finances please talk to, or email, David (david.treasurer3@gmail.com).
Please click here to return your pledge form, or there are paper copies in Church. It would be great if we could have responses by mid-November.
Please remember that if at any time your financial circumstances change you can always amend this pledge. All responses will be treated confidentially and will only be seen by the treasurer.
With gratitude for all that you give and all that you share,
Revd Beth Keith, on behalf of The PCC of St Mark’s