DRAFT
Ways of Giving
It is very important to respond quickly and accurately when someone makes an enquiry about a method of giving to the church, especially when it is the result of a planned programme such as Giving is a Gift. This section is a summary of information about tax efficient giving and legacies which can be used to answer questions and encourage the giver to take the next step.
Giving Regularly
Christian giving is regular and the best way of giving cash is by a weekly offering envelope. Most churches offer an envelope scheme as a way of giving money to the life and mission of the Church. The giving of those who pay income tax can be enhanced if they make a gift aid declaration, which allows tax to be reclaimed.
Gift Aid
Tax payers can arrange for the tax paid on gifts to the Church to be claimed back for the benefit of the Church. On a gift of £20 the Church can reclaim the £5.60 of tax paid. That’s effectively a contribution of a further 28% from the Government at no cost to the tax payer! (Current rate at time of writing)
For more details about claiming tax back contact
Standing Orders
Individuals can also take out Standing Orders if they wish to give a regular amount to the mission work of the Church. Standing Orders can be set up to help The Methodist Church Fund for World Mission, The Methodist Church Fund for Home Mission, The Methodist Church Fund for Property, and also The Methodist Church Fund.
For more details contact
You may also be able to set up standing orders to benefit other charities with a Methodist ethos, such as MHA and MRDF, and should contact them directly for more details.
Leaving a legacy
Making a will is the only certain way of ensuring that the estate of a person is administered in accordance with their wishes. As circumstances change, it is necessary to review the terms of a will to reflect the current circumstances and wishes of the benefactor.
Whilst it is possible to make a will using a pre-printed form it is wiser to consult a solicitor who will help to draft the details and guide the choice of the executors. It is worthwhile to do some careful thinking and planning before visiting a solicitor.
In making a will, many members and friends of the Methodist Church will want to consider a bequest to the Church. Such gifts may be for the local church, or a particular purpose of it or alternatively for one of the national Funds of Methodism supporting work done in the name of the whole Church.
Methodism has made special arrangements for making and receiving bequests and special wordings have been prepared. If you would like more information about leaving a gift in your will the booklet No More Tears: remember God’s mission in your will gives you advice about leaving a legacy. Free copies can be ordered from mph.
Christian Giving begins by acknowledging God as Creator and giver of all we enjoy, with people as stewards who respond with thankfulness to the love and grace shown in Jesus. St Paul writing to the church at Corinth about the collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem says of the Macedonians "their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor" and a little later "God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you haven't" (2 Cor.8.2 & 12).