My name is Antony Spreckley and I am the Treasurer of St. Andrew’s Church, Bishopthorpe.
Many of you, I am sure, would like to know the effect that COVID-19 is having on the financial position of your church. St Andrew’s Church is fortunate that it started this current crises with reserve funds but, I am sure you will understand, these are rapidly being depleted. I would like to explain why. Over the three years to 31st December 2019 the church’s Income and Expenditure Account showed TOTAL LOSSES to date of £53,160. This was for two main reasons. The church pays to the Diocese of York a monthly sum to maintain the costs of our vicar, Chris Coates. The church, in past years has tried very hard to maintain this cost in full, and up to 2019 had done so. In 2019 it was evident that the church’s income through giving was reducing and the losses could not be continued. The church’s payment to the Diocese was therefore reduced by more than half. This reduced the loss in 2019 to £5783, but it means that St Andrew’s, Bishopthorpe is only paying for less than half the cost of our vicar. This reduction in loss was also achieved by significant income produced from fund raising events. Many of you will remember the vicarage garden party, the grand prize draw, and other events organised by a newly formed fundraising committee. All of which raised over £5,000. The effect of COVID-19 is that we have no income from the church hall bookings, no income from church services and no income from fund raising events, although many of the expenses continue. The position prior to COVID-19 was very precarious. Now the church’s aim to get back to a break even position has been significantly set back and will yet again restrict the ability to fund the cost of our vicar. I would like to add that some of our parishioners have wonderfully increased their standing order regular payments and this has made a very noticeable difference. I personally thank you for your support. My projections for this year are now showing a potential further loss of £16,000. Our vicar, Chris Coates, is a very special person. I know that he has found it very hard not to be able to counsel people face to face who have lost loved ones, and not to be able to continue his pastoral ministry directly with all those who are in need of the special Christian support that he provides. This is not to say that he has not been very busy finding new ways to support parishioners and the community, including online services. Many of you will also know Chris from the loving support he gives to your children at AYJS and the many other ways he serves the community. Chris has very sadly taken many funerals over the last three months and given his support in the best way possible at this time. St Andrew’s Church is at the heart of our Christian community and in order to continue to provide the support to all in Bishopthorpe in their time of need we need to increase the church’s income. It cannot continue to sustain the current level of losses. I know it is a very hard time for all and many have been hit very hard financially but I appeal to those that can help. Please, if you can make a contribution at all, however small it all helps. You can click here to make a donation. The PCC of St. Andrew’s will be very grateful for your support and any donations received will be faithfully applied. Antony Spreckley (Treasurer St. Andrew’s Bishopthorpe)
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