Benefice of Boldre & South Baddesley

Tel: 01590 673 484
Email the Office

Friends of St John's

St John’s is an ancient and lovely church in a beautiful setting. For 1000 years a special spiritual sanctuary at the heart of the local community that touches the lives of everyone in our district in some way or other.  But it needs our financial support to survive and thrive.
 

Parish Giving and Donations 

Medieval monks, aristocratic patronage, the local community and very many others have, over the centuries, funded and ensured the future of this special place so that it remains to touch the lives of the people of Boldre, Pilley and the wider community. Through christenings, marriages and funerals, Sunday services, Christian festivals, the commemoration of historical events like the sinking of HMS Hood and as a drop-in oasis of spiritual calm and reflection, this ancient building stands as a beacon and icon of our heritage and tradition. We love it dearly for reminding us of and pointing us to the inclusive God of love, mercy and forgiveness that the Christian faith and Anglican tradition stand for. 
 

We need your help to continue God’s work through St John’s as our income is less than our expenditure. Costs rise inexorably and we also have to pay a substantial sum to the Diocese. This, as with HMRC in secular life, is only right and proper. The sum contributed by all benefices to the Diocese not only pays clergy stipends and pensions and enables all sorts of educational and charitable work, it also helps fund innovative new churches that are hugely successful with the young. Our contribution to the Diocese should be a source of pride. However for the past few years we’ve not been paying the full amount to the Diocese and consequently our ‘House for Duty’ unsalaried parish priest, a huge benefit to the local community, is at risk. 
 

St John's is financed on a day to day basis from gifts, donations and the church collections. They typically add up to just under £100,000 a year. This covers the normal running costs, from power for heating and light to day to day maintenance of this ancient building and its graveyard as well as covering parish expenses including a part time parish secretary. 
 

Everything possible is done to ensure cost effectiveness. 

At the Parochial Church Council AGM in 2019, it was agreed that our income needs to rise by 20% if St John’s is to meet all its obligations and strengthen its finances for the future. So the parish really needs your help! 
 

As well as your love and prayers, please contribute financially to the life of St John’s through the Parish Giving Scheme: This is the most efficient way of setting up a regular standing order to St John's. It is managed through a national organisation and the diocese. All you need to do is fill in the forms in the packs available at St John's and St Nicholas’ Chapel, or contact the Vicarage: 01590 718439 and one will be delivered to you. Gift Aid is most efficiently garnered by this means of giving and you automatically  become a “Friend of St John’s”. You will receive our interesting weekly bulletin by email, invitations to special activities and an annual service. 
 

There is also the Boldre Church Trust. This is an invaluable independent charitable trust whose objective is to assist in the long-term preservation of the historically significant and ancient building of St John’s as well as St Nicholas including the churchyards and monuments. To this end, the Trustees' first priority is to build a permanent endowment fund from well-wishers legacies and donations. At the request of the PCC the Trustees will consider contributing to capital expenditure projects (but not day to day operational costs) when the need arises. Please contact the BCT Treasurer for more information.

 

 

St John’s Boldre stands as a beacon to and an icon of our heritage and tradition. We love it dearly for reminding us of and pointing us to the inclusive God of love, mercy and forgiveness that the Christian faith and Anglican tradition stand for. 
 

We do indeed need your financial support to continue God’s work through St John’s and its benefice.
 

Take a Parish Giving Scheme pack and complete the information needed
 

or for more information contact the vicarage on 01590 718439
 

or email bsbbchurches@gmail.com

 

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