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The Stewardship Department comprises one full-time Stewardship Development Officer, who is a member of the Parish Development Team within the Board for Christian Development. He is supported by a part-time secretary.
The terms of reference for the Stewardship Department are:
i) To give advice and assistance to parishes and deaneries in the personal and corporate stewardship of money, time and talents; to provide support for teaching programmes in the parishes and deaneries and for in-service training for ministers,
ii) To promote understanding in parishes and deaneries of the financial resources available to the church; to give advice to parishes and deaneries on the best use of these resources, in carrying out the mission of the church in their own areas; to provide information and ideas about fund-raising for major appeals in the wider community as well as among church members.
iii) To promote, at Diocesan level, both awareness of all aspects of stewardship and positive attitudes towards generous Christian giving.
Stewardship
The Department advises parishes about a broad range of stewardship matters; encouraging greater commitment to the life and witness of the parish church in terms of time, skills and money; reviewing parish life and witness and planning for the future; the role of the PCC. The advice the Department gives can include helping parishes to tailor events or programmes to fit their circumstances and assisting with their leading.
Parish Finance
The Department provides information and advice on the running of Gift Aid schemes and the promotion of legacies. We communicate information on the Diocesan financial situation, the workings of the Parish Shares scheme, and on national church finances.
Capital Fund-Raising
The department can give broad advice about how to run an appeal campaign and fund-raising events and sources of grants. Parishes can be put in touch with people and other parishes who can offer advice on aspects of capital fund-raising. A separate booklet on establishing a 'Friends' scheme is available.
Literature & Websites
The Department produces a range of literature and leaflets on its work, and can recommend books on Stewardship topics. Much information and advice can now be obtained via websites, and those of particular relevance include:
Contact
Please contact the Stewardship Development Officer at the Diocesan Office for advice and involvement in all stewardship related topics.
September 2006
