Using our gifts & talents for God....

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Dear friends,

Each of us are called by Christ to use our talents / gifts to honour God.      In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus told a parable which we now know as the parable of the talents, it tells of a man about to go on a journey, before he set off, he called his three servants together, put them in charge of his property and he gave each them resources appropriate to each one; and then he left them to it and went on his way…. You can read the rest of the story for yourself, but it implies that we have talents & abilities, and we are expected by God to use them for his glory!

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There are three major areas where each and every person who calls Crowborough United Church their home can make a huge difference to the future of the church and its buildings.

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1. Use your talents: to fulfil roles within the life of the church.  SIMPLY put this is so URGENT that we find someone to fulfil the following role As church members we simply must take responsibility, we can’t keep hoping someone will do it! The future life and ministry of the church depend on this. This most important current role to be filled is called the Safeguarding lead (you don’t need to be an expert, CSUA provides the expertise, we can train you as you help us do this) Please speak to Andy, Vicky or an Elder without committing yourself BUT please don’t wait to be asked or think someone else will do it, or that you are not qualified. You will have to go through the 'Safer Recruitment Process'

2. Prayer - the Bible reminds us to pray on every occasion and without ceasing. So please set aside time to pray for the church and wider community.

3. Funding:

Some people in and around the church wrongly think that we are funded by the state or church authorities, which is simply not true!

We are self-financing, we can apply for grants from various bodies but for most of our income we must raise all the monies ourselves that we need to run the church.

Simply put, your giving to the church financially is essential so that we can a) just continue to minister in the way do now, b) plan for the future with some sense of certainty and c) Repair, Renew and Renovate the church building.[i]

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Some of the ways that you may be able to do that:

• If you give regularly consider increasing your giving if you can afford to do so.

• If you don’t already give by standing order as this helps us to budget better.

• If you are a taxpayer, make sure you sign a gift aid form.[ii]

• Consider making a separate one-off financial gift to the church, particularly regarding the repairs and renewals to the church building.[iii]​

Your church (building and people)needs you!

With much love

Andy

Rev Andy S C Melvin: Minister

 

[i] Estimated costs for that upgrade approx. £40,000

[ii] Ask our Treasurer Colin Eaton for a Gift Aid form

[iii] Labelling your gift envelope or bank reference 'church repairs'

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