Stewardship Sunday 11 October 2026

In this 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, enthusiasm, expertise, and care.

Thanks to your gifts we have had a surplus in 2026, which has helped us to grow our ministry team. We welcomed Helena as Associate Priest in April, with a focus on ministry among teens, students and young adults. We have also been able to invest in our church building, making it more accessible, sustainable, and better cared for, with new doors, double glazing of the north windows and resurfacing of the paths, at a cost of about £20,500.  

We want to be open with you about a more challenging year ahead, what we are looking forward to, and what we will need to make it possible. At St Mark’s, we speak of a living, thinking, loving faith. In 2027, 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 caring for our building is part of caring for creation and stewarding our resources responsibly. With our fabric reserves now exhausted, we are looking at external funding options to continue the double glazing.

Thinking

We are committed to providing space for people to think, question, and engage their minds in faith. Through Lent Groups, sermons, seminars, and Thinking Faith, we continue to nurture this important dimension of our discipleship. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to explore and engage in faith and action responses to the current threats of AI, climate change, and global instability.  

Loving

Our faith calls us to look outward, modelling the care and inclusion we see in Jesus. Our partnership with St Cuthbert’s, which began last year, continues. Though slower than initially envisioned, we continue to work with the Diocese in supporting the resourcing of ministry in Fir Vale. 

Faith

Helena has joined our clergy team as Associate Priest, with a particular focus on teens, students and young adults. Numbers in these age groups are slowly growing at St Mark’s, and 2027 will be the first full year in which we can invest in this ministry. We are grateful for all that Helena is already bringing to our life together.
 

Giving Time

Volunteering is a key way to contribute to the life of the church. A list of opportunities will be available in the coming weeks, 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.
 
Having moved from a surplus in 2026, we currently expect a deficit of around £20,000 in 2027. In addition to general inflation, there are two main reasons for this change:

• An increase in our staffing and clergy costs. 
• The diocese has asked all parishes for an additional contribution to the common fund, due in part to the mandated increase in clergy stipends, and we want to be able to respond to that.  

We are very grateful to everyone who gives, so faithfully and generously. We are also aware that some of you have been meaning to start regular giving but haven’t yet got round to it, or that you are new to church and haven’t yet begun to give. It really does help us to plan if we have an idea of what to expect, so filling in the pledge form is very helpful, whether you are starting to give, or are a current giver.  
 
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 Dr Beth Keith, Vicar of St Mark's on behalf of The PCC of St Mark’s

Finances FAQs 

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