Just as many of us were hoping that the Covid-19 pandemic was about to pass into history, along came a new strain. Rather than a break from the heavy stresses of the disease, health services around the world suddenly found themselves dealing with a new version of the infection that spread its wings far more rapidly than was comprehended previously. And who knows what other strains may be lurking around the corner? Churches and other places of worship have continued to stream live on-line services and upload recordings of the same on to platforms such as the popular YouTube facility. Back in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic really hit hard, many of us did not expect it to last more than a few months. That was almost a year ago, yet it is psychologically seeming like a whole lot longer. During this period, many businesses and organisations have been obliged to close and we have witnessed many having to, sadly, close their doors permanently, due to the resulting loss of income. Churches and other places of worship have also suffered loss of income and are having to discover innovative ways to make up their shortfall. Consequently, here at the MEN (Maintenance and Equipment News for Churches and Schools) office we asked Eric Thorn to jot down his thoughts on looking afresh at finances for churches and places of worship. This feature is what he came up with.


GIVING DURING THE PANDEMIC


MOST of England, and parts of the remainder of the United Kingdom, are experiencing living in H.M. Government’s designated Tier 4 (Four) at the time of writing. But whatever Tier and restrictions you happen to be in, my understanding is that churches and, indeed, all manner of places of worship, irrespective of denomination, creed, or religion, are experiencing a common downside brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.


Not surprisingly, perhaps, that common denominator is a substantial drop in income. With churches being closed for services, no collection plates or bags have been passed around for the freewill offerings from worshippers. For many, especially the smaller chapels, this is quite possibly their only source of income.


The general media have reported, and will continue to report, the winding up of household name businesses and hospitality chains. They rarely publicise closures of smaller businesses and places of worship. Although I do not personally know of any worship venues closing due to financial restraints brought about by the pandemic, I suspect that, regrettably, there may well be a few. Before the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is thought that most congregational giving was through the time-honoured way of passing the hat round. Some establishments sport an Alms box near the exit from the Nave or worship area. With worship venues having to close temporarily, and official advice being that people of all persuasions should stay at home, there has been a resulting shortage of actual worshippers to place their offering gifts and tithes in any collecting plate or Alms box. For some, the shortfall of hard cash income has been marginally less than it may otherwise have been, due to parishioners submitting their contributions by either banker’s order or electronic bank transfer.


Electronic funds transfer


In this (hopefully) post advent of the Coronavirus pandemic, many worship venues have found themselves rethinking the world of congregational giving. For some, the time has come to end their love of historically acclaimed well-handled wooden plates and fabric bags. Indeed,


I have heard it suggested that these, along with Alms boxes and similar furniture, ought to be relegated to the depths of Room 101. Chinese Whispers allegedly maintain that such money- collecting wares have no place in the environment of twenty-first century worshippers.


36


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40