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I would like to begin by thanking parishioners once again for their continued generosity, both to Parish Funds and to the charities at home and abroad, which we are committed to. However, I am also conscious that we are missing an opportunity to reclaim even more money than we do from the Gift Aid Scheme; a painless way of allowing the Church to benefit from the tax you have already paid. Unfortunately, this year our tax rebates are predicted to be some £2,000 down on last year's.
During the past year the Parish has continued its ongoing maintenance programme on all our property, which has included a major overhaul of the heating systems in both of our churches. Many routine small works have also been carried out in order to keep our buildings safe, warm and welcoming. We are always grateful for the Year 2000 Fund which provides a "safety net" for when we need to engage in unexpected expense on buildings.
Although the Year 2000 Fund provides us with assistance with property maintenance, all other costs have to be met through our normal income channels. A glance at the figures will show that if we were to remove the "windfall" sum gained by selling the chapel building at Nutbourne, then the Parish is effectively running at a deficit of some £14,000.This obviously causes us some concern for the future, especially as we are still actively considering the employment of a lay person to help with Youth Ministry. All this points to the reality that we cannot afford to be complacent about Parish funds, even though we have an excellent track record.
The prospect of extending and improving St Richard's Church is exciting and ambitious and will obviously have its own fundraising implications, but these will always have to be treated separately from the day to day running costs of the Parish. As ever I am deeply indebted to the members of the Finance and Buildings Committees who give their time freely and in abundance so that the rest of us can get on with the Mission of the Church without too many money worries. Once again thank you for what you have contributed in the past and for what you plan to do in the future - and don't let the taxman keep what could be coming to the Parish!
14th May 2006 Father Kieron O'Brien, Parish Priest
Mr. Kevin Jamieson (Chairman), Fr. Kieron O'Brien, Mr. Gerry Farrell (Treasurer), Miss Yvonne Bishop, Mrs Jill Serna, Mrs. Helen Cookson, Mrs. Julia Janiec, assisted by Mrs. Pat Ware.
January-December 2005
Thanks to your generosity and the refund of £18,070 from the Inland Revenue for Gift Aid donations, the parish was able to meet its commitments. Along with the help of the Year 2000 Fund the programme of maintaining and improving parish facilities has continued.
January-April 2006
The first four months of this year show a decline in Offertory collections, and the the forecast refund on Gift Aid will be £16,070, a decrease of £2,000. This is a cause for concern.
If you are able to increase your Offertory donation please do so. If you pay tax and have still not joined the Gift Aid scheme, please please put your name and address on the green form available from the Parish Office.
It doesn't matter how often you come to St. Richard's or Bosham. It doesn't matter how much you are able to give. Let the parish claim back the tax you have already paid!
Kevin Jamieson
Finance Committee Chairman
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