Lent Giving 2023
Lent is a significant season in the church year for Christians. It is known as a time for fasting - or giving something up. Whether that is food, alcohol or not using social media or watching TV. But there are traditionally 'three pillars' to Lent: fasting, prayer and giving. These are taken from Jesus' sermon on the mount (Matthew chapters 5&6).
Each year, Bishop Ridley Church encourages regular members to give to a special Lent Giving fund. This year our giving will go towards the Youth Contingency Fund and Bishop Ridley School. Find out more about these causes and how to give to them below.
Youth Contingency Fund
Bishop Ridley Church's Youth Contingency Fund has in the past made grants towards young people attending CPAS (the Church Pastoral Aid Society) ventures, which are holidays for 8-18 year olds full of activities, friendship and fun with the opportunity to explore life with Jesus. It has also given grants towards “World Challenge” expeditions made by young people in the congregation after school, along with funding support for mission activity by those who are young at heart. However it has not been called upon for a number of years now. The PCC has recently agreed that the fund should be available to make grants to our uniformed groups, who are part of our church community. They are facing increasing costs, particularly their affiliation fees to their central organisations, and the current rising cost of living has meant that a number of parents are struggling or unable to afford the costs, resulting in some of the leaders subsidising their members rather than turning them away.
Bishop Ridley School
The church has supported, and continues to support, Bishop Ridley School financially, providing funds that can help make a difference to various aspects of the school. Previously funding from the church has been used to improve the reception area and recently we have granted funds that will enable the release of a much larger funding for equipment. Lent Giving does not support the day to day running costs of the school.
How to donate
There are a variety of ways you can give so please choose the method which best suits you.
Cash or cheque
Please place cash and/or cheques in an envelope and mark it "Lent Giving". If you Gift Aid, please also write your full name on the envelope, for audit trail purposes, unless you are using a personal cheque. Then place your envelope on the plate in the entrance hall.
Direct Transfer
You can make one-off payment direct to our account. Please make sure "Lent Giving” is used as the reference. Please ask for further details on direct transfer.
Card payments
Unfortunately, it is NOT possible to accept Lent Giving donations via the Give a little machine in the entrance hall. However if you do want to make a donation by card, please speak to Neil or contact the church office.