Diocese of York / Generosity & Stewardship / Generous Giving during COVID-19 / Update from the Generous Giving Team

At this time of uncertainty, we recognise that all of our parishes have pressing concerns, which require your full attention, and that many of you are likely to have parishioners who require your help and support.

As a team dedicated to helping and supporting parish ministry, we want to help relieve that burden, whilst ensuring we are keeping one another safe and not exposed to risk. We also recognise that many of you have already put in a lot of effort and time in planning Giving Programmes – hard work and effort that will be utilised once our world has passed this difficult time.

The Generous Giving Team have therefore decided to put the following measures in place so that we can all remain safe, and the team continue to support you to the best of our ability.

The Generous Giving will not be attending parish meetings or presentations in person until further notice. Where Giving Programmes are scheduled in the coming months (notably March, April and May), we strongly suggest postponing these whilst our churches are not able to meet for public worship. We are also conscious at this time that many people are concerned about income and livelihoods, and we do not want to give any additional burden of worry about anyone’s financial giving to churches at this time. Central to any giving programme is the importance of prayer, teaching and coming together in mutual support and celebration – by postponing these programmes we will be better able to connect to these important practices at a time when we are more stable.

Adviser support is still available remotely. At this time of uncertainty, we are aware of the financial concerns this situation may be causing – we are acutely aware that the recent decision to suspend public worship is likely to have an impact on parish income. We are working closely with the National Giving Team to develop guidance to help you, and encourage your regular givers to continue supporting you in this difficult time.

We want to encourage our parish communities at this time to focus on the many other ways in which we live out our Christian generosity; in the care we take of one and other, in the hospitality we offer to those who are worried and in the support we offer to those who find themselves ill or isolated. This is the key point of a generous culture, grounded in prayer, and being Christ in the world. We will be providing ongoing guidance and advice on ways to engage with the spirit and culture of generosity, which we are already seeing in your responses to this crisis.

At present, we suggest pausing on plans for future programmes until we have a clearer picture of the timeline across the whole church. Once we have reached a more stable time, together we will agree suitable dates to deliver your Programme. If you are already in the planning stages of a programme later in the year or are working with the team on other guidance, your Adviser will be in touch soon to discuss a way forward. If you are planning a Giving Programme with one of our Advisers and feel able to continue, support can be still be provided by email, phone, or if you wish through online conferencing. Please remember that in addition to advice and guidance, the team offer a full design service for all programme materials, which is still available to both parishes we are already working with and those who may wish to approach us for the first time.

For parishes planning to launch the Parish Giving Scheme in the coming months, the above advice on Giving Programmes applies. Once we are able, we will reassess our plan and timescales to launch this Scheme across the diocese.

We have already been contacted by the majority of parishes working with us and we thank you for your pro-activity, however, if you are concerned or want to contact your Adviser to discuss the support available; please feel free to do so.

If you are at the stage of considering a programme but have yet to meet a member of the team or to set a date, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The team are still available to offer advice both on giving programmes and all other aspects of parish income and generosity.

For regular updates, guidance on what to do to retain regular giving during the time and other resources, please continue to visit our website pages and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Be assured of our prayers in this challenging time.

The Generous Giving Team.