STEWARDSHIP - Week Two Talk by Simon Thorrington, October 21st & 22nd 2006

It was good to chat after the masses last week, to listen to reaction to what I said. I think “positive curiosity” is the way to best describe most people’s thoughts. Those who kindly came up to me after mass were certainly interested in what I’d been saying and looking forward to hearing more. Last week was about setting the context - the theory if you like. This week I’d like to talk more about the practice, and what being a stewardship parish may all actually mean in reality.

But first, some weren’t here last week and so forgive me for just briefly recapping, before going on. What Fr Greg and the Parish Pastoral Development Group would like to do is similar to what several parishes have done in recent years, three of which are within the deanery, and that is to call upon all parishioners to think carefully about the skills and gifts you have which may be offered for, and used in, the mission of the parish, and all its activities and ministries. As stewards of all the gifts and talents given to us by God, and as baptized Christians called to take part fully in all aspects of Church life, we have a duty to use these gifts wisely and for the benefit of everyone. I also said that this week I would also briefly talk about one of the nuts and bolts issues, money, upon which the parish relies as much as everything else for it to survive and go forward.   

Many in the parish already come forward and offer their gifts and talents for various purposes, but the question is how much more could be done to develop a new excitement, a renewed sense of purpose in the parish shared by everyone? And while this is not a direct response to shortages of priests and reducing numbers of parishioners, nevertheless I know that Fr Greg is hoping that against this background many more of you will come forward and offer.

I asked last week, what does it mean to be members of a parish in the 21^st century? And what do we really mean by mission and purpose? Well there is no doubt that much has changed in the last fifty years, and neither the world nor the Church is the same as it was then. So how should we as members of the Church respond? A famous Archbishop once said “The Church exists for those who are not its members”. In other words, should we not be the inward-looking self-examining Church that at times seems to dominate everything: but perhaps should we be more an outward-looking, risk-taking, community-serving body, anxious to pass on the message of the Gospel? For example, that surely is what Journey of Faith is all about, which started during the week, having the confidence to share your faith with those who do not have it. Jesus asked us to spread the Good News, not keep it to ourselves. We can do that in many ways by example, without it seeming to be too churchy! Now, there may be some here today who agree with these statements, and there may be some who disagree. But there is no doubt that in those parishes where everyone’s gifts are truly recognised and offered in service through stewardship, horizons become broadened and a true sense of belonging to the parish increases.

But it is for you to think about and for you to decide. So one of the things we are asking you to do today is, over the next couple of weeks, please think about what you would like to see going on in your parish, and to say so. After I’ve finished, some papers will be handed round, one of which is a sheet with three simple questions. What do you see as the strengths of this parish; what are the areas in which it could develop; and what do you see as its opportunities? It should probably only take you a few minutes to write something in response, and it will be so valuable in helping FR Greg and the Development Group to understand and suggest to you later in the year the directions and activities which the parish might want to follow in future. This is one of several chances over the coming weeks that you will have to put forward your point of view. Its anonymous as well, so you don’t need to be afraid that you might say something which might backfire, not that it would anyway. And besides, Fr Greg has a mighty thick skin!!

Let me offer some thoughts as you ponder these questions. There are many tasks and ministries which take place within the church building itself, like those to do with worship and liturgy, for which many volunteers come forward: and that’s greatly welcomed and appreciated. Then there are or could be various activity groups, like Prayer group, Scripture sharing, House groups, social events and so on which could be developed. But what about some of the less-churchy things? Pastoral Care and support groups, like sick visiting, hospital visiting, bereavement support, go shopping for an elderly parishioner who lives alone, drive the housebound into church each week, support for families experiencing particular difficulties, or child-minding for a young family  who may not have close family support?  Could you help like this, or in some of the many other practical ways that will be suggested?

These are just some of the ideas that will be floated around over the coming weeks. Dympna Magee will be meeting with the Parish Pastoral Development Group soon to consider your answers to these three questions. Then in December she will speak at all of the masses one weekend to give some feedback and explain more about what will be happening in the New Year, and how the Development Group will be looking for your help to expand on these ideas. Then in the New Year itself you will be invited to offer your gifts to the parish in order to form its mission, to plan ahead and establish new groups and activities, hopefully responding to some of the issues raised in the questionnaire being handed out today.

Now, just very briefly, those nuts and bolts. I want to take just a couple of minutes while I am here this week to talk to you about money. One of the things we picked up on some months ago when discussing all of this with Fr Greg and the group was that, in most of his time here, Fr Greg has never really spoken to you properly about money, about the reliance of the parish on what you give each week in the offertory. It is at least fifteen years. Its fair to say that one of the reasons for this has been that the parish has managed reasonably well in that time, and so there was no need to be concerned. But times are changing, and that’s why we want to mention it now, and right at the start of this process, so that later you can concentrate on other things which are not about money.

The parish is probably facing quite a lot of cost over the next couple of years, to maintain, repair and improve its buildings. The trouble with old buildings especially is that they need a lot of regular maintaining, and here this cost is going to increase rather than decrease. Everyone is hoping that the new parish hall [in Carlisle] will finally materialize, but there are a couple of sticking points at the moment which are being discussed with the Council and the builders. It is possible that if and when it all does finally go ahead, the parish may have to find some extra money for furniture, equipment and so on. I know that Father Greg will keep you up to date with all this.  

Many people still don’t realize how important the weekly offertory is in any parish, for it usually provides around 80% of what is needed to meet commitments. So what I want to ask you all today is to think when was the last time you reviewed what you give to the parish each week or each month, compared with what you spend on other things in the home? Numbers at mass are going down, making it all the more important that those of us who give regularly each week or each month keep what we give under constant review. Many still give today what they’ve been giving for 5 or even 10 years. Please think about it, and think if you can make a new promise to give a little more.

If you also pay tax on your income, on your wages, salary, your pension or interest on your savings, the parish can get nearly a third more again, without it costing you any more, by signing a Gift Aid form, which is a lot simpler than the old covenants. With the papers coming round, there is a leaflet which explains all this, but please ask me after mass if you don’t understand anything.

And finally many people these days find it so easy to give their weekly gift by banker’s order, direct from your bank account into the parish bank account. I have done for years because I never know where I’m going to be from one weekend to the next. So please think about this as well.  

We’re going to hand out those papers to take home, asking you to consider what’s been said so far. Please study them carefully, and return them with your thoughts, suggestions and promises over the next few weeks. Over the next couple of months your suggestions about the future of the parish will be used in discussions, and then brought back to you with some more ideas. Then in January and February you will be given opportunities to think about which activities should be given priority, and what you can offer in support of them.

I want to finish by saying a final couple of things. We are a broad church, which respects and cares for everyone: everyone’s opinion, and everyone’s circumstances. Everyone can choose to play a big part or a small part in parish life, and no-one is going to say what’s right or wrong in all of this. What we are asking is that you think about it carefully, perhaps in a way that you’ve never done before, because the world and the Church are changing. It’s the same with money: no-one can say what is or is not the right amount to give: that’s something for your personally or as a family to decide. What we do ask is that you think about it carefully and regularly review it.

Thank you for your patience and for listening over these last two weeks.  We are the Church, and we are responsible for making sure that it is able to do all that we want it to do, by saying what we’d like, and offering the skills and gifts we can. Please over the coming weeks think what you can do.