I’m writing this sitting in church because today is Gift Day. One week a year everyone in Wolverley gets an envelope with an invitation to donate money for the upkeep of our church. Between 1pm until 3pm the good people of Wolverley can come and deliver the envelope to us in person. It’s raining outside and it's a miserable afternoon. I'm here to receive people's donations but so far no-one has come.
Financing church these days is not easy. The cost of running this church is not yet £600 per week but getting on that way. The congregation give generously. For this I am grateful. I give generously too. If we do want a church here we have to pay our way; we have to pay our share of the cost of having a paid vicar (me) and the cost of keeping up this old building.
Traditionally, and it is a practice I subscribe to, Christians have given away 10% of their income to help others in need. It's our way of saying we are grateful to God. It's up to people's consciences how much of their giving comes to our church.
Sometimes in the middle of the night when we’ve had a bad month with less money coming in or when thieves came and stole the lead off the roof, I think why are we bothering. Let’s do what the supermarkets do and just have one brand new central church we can all go to.
But in the morning I think again and know how much our building is appreciated by those who come regularly, or occasionally, or those who only come once. We appreciate this is our church. We can bury our loved ones here. We can celebrate happy occasions of weddings, blessings, christening in our church. Here we can be sad and mourn on difficult days.
There is a sense that this building is holy and different from anywhere else. There is quiet and peace here people tell me. When lives are turned upside down because of a death or sad event, this church is open (yes, you did know our church is open from 8.30am to about 4.30pm?) and available. This building reflects God’s quiet and peace. Especially for those who need this.
It’s now nearly 2pm and only one person has been. Perhaps the rain has put them off. Perhaps the gift day envelopes will come in other days.
They will. Us Wolverley-ites do give. There is a sense that we are grateful because we live in such a beautiful place and do have the basics even if some struggle. So we give as a way of saying Thank you Lord for all you give us. We are grateful.
Jan - Vicar
