SUPPORTING THE WORK OF SAINT JOHN’S

God at the heart of Saint John’s, Saint John’s at the heart of Brigg. Our mission statement says what we at Saint John’s believe God calls all people to do – worship God and serve our community. For example:

Worshipping God
• Parish Eucharist 4th Sunday of the month
• Services for the major festivals like Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Remembrance
• Weddings, baptisms and funerals
• Celebratory services for our community, such as the Town Carol Concert, the Civic Service, services for our schools and local organisation services to name a few.

Serving our neighbours
• Saint John’s is used free of charge by our wider community for the Brigg Live Arts, The Brigg Town Business Partnership Festival of Christmas Trees and Wreaths, the annual Memorial Service and many other events.
• Our Church Hall is hired by many community groups.
• Refreshment and hospitality to the community each Farmer’s Market.
• Visit the sick and housebound, and our care homes,
• Prayer at each full meeting of the Town Council
• Visiting our schools
• Supporting the Town Council, the Brigg Town Business Partnership, the Rotary Club and other community groups

We could not do any of this without the support and good will of the people of Brigg.

Stewardship: The Basics
Stewardship is the theological principle that God has given us the responsibility for looking after the world and all people.
• God made everything and calls humanity to care for His creation (The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. Genesis 2:15)
• Humanity is called to live in community with one another (Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone’ Genesis 2:18)
• Everything we have comes from God (Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11)
• We offer back to God some of what He blesses us with (“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” 1 Chronicles 29:14)
• We are called to imitate Christ’s example (For I have set you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you John 13:15)
• Our motivation is love (I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just I I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34)

We all have different gifts, some have practical gifts, others spiritual, others financial. But we share in proportion to what we have received from God. Everyone contributes to the community from what they have. For some, who have little, their small contribution is costly (He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4). Others, who have an abundance happily give more to support those less fortunate than themselves. Both rich and poor contribute to for the good of the whole body (For as in one body we have many members… we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another. Romans 14:4f)

As a community, mindful of God’s gifts and following Christ’s example and call to love, we share His gifts for God’s glory, the good of His Church and for the benefit of all humanity.

Where does the money come from?
Where does the money come from? Some believe that the Government give money to the Church of England. Some believe that the Church of England gives money to the local parish churches. Neither of these statements are true. Every parish church is self-supporting and are registered charities. In churches up and down the land, faithful men and women work extremely hard to pay the bills and ensure that their churches remain open and available to their local communities for weddings, baptisms and funerals and for community events and for worship. They take seriously the responsibility of paying the cost of ministry and the building costs to ensure that their church is handed onto the next generation. This is one of many ways we express our love for our neighbours.

In 2018, we raised:

2018 Income Chart

Where does the money go?
Our greatest cost is the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings (£31,300). However, the cost of having a Vicar isn’t cheap either (£23,800). In addition to these costs, during 2019 we have to repair our leaking roof, and the front facia of the Church (Bigby Street entrance), estimated to cost in excess of £100,000.

In 2018, we spent:

2018 Expences Chart

How can you help?
We could do none of this without your prayers, time, generosity and faithful good will and support. On behalf of myself and all at Saint John’s, thank you, and thank God.

Each year we draw around £20,000 from our reserve funds to cover the shortfall between income and expenditure, and our reserves have now run out. Your prayers for our work and for the balancing of our income and expenditure are very much appreciated.

If you would like to support us in some way, here are some ways to help

Giving a Donation
Leave a Legacy
Giving of your time and skills

Please email st.johnsbrigg@gmail.com, with your details which will be forwarded to the appropriate person.