The parish derives its income from the Offertory (First Collection), Gift Aid and Hall Letting. The expenses of the parish include maintaining, repairing, heating and lighting the church premises in Paddock Wood (including the presbytery) and Pembury. The parish is fortunate to have some resources behind it, in the form of bank deposits and a loan with the Diocese. These resources can be drawn on in the event of unexpected expenses, such as major repairs to the buildings.
Gift Aid is an important part of our income. Many parishioners covenant all their regular offerings to the church, having completed a simple form for HM Customs & Excise (the Inland Revenue). The parishioner must be a taxpayer, but does not have to give a regular amount each week. By means of the numbered Gift Aid envelopes, the parish notes each week how much the parishioner has given, and at the end of the tax year, submits a declaration to the tax authorities. For every one pound given, the parish is currently able to reclaim £0.28. From 6 April 2011 onwards this will reduce to £0.25. If you are not already in the Gift Aid scheme, and would like to take part, please complete a Gift Aid Declaration Form. For more information, please contact Pam Nelson. In order to contact her, please e-mail us at office@stjustusandanselm.org.uk
As well as the Offertory, the parish makes a second collection each week. This will either be for a nominated Diocesan special cause, or for a Parish special cause. Money is also regularly collected for CAFOD. More information on CAFOD can be found on their website. The Offertory and second collection details (including CAFOD) are printed weekly in the newsletter. Expenses are not published weekly, as they do not fall evenly throughout the year.
There is a Finance Committee which meets every 2-3 months. It considers all aspects of parish finance, notably building repairs and maintenance projects, which form quite a large part of the outgoings. It approves a budget on an annual basis, and regularly monitors performance against this. The Committee comprises Father Behruz Raf'at, Peter Ditchett, Geoff Cox and Paul Fox (Treasurer).
