Stewardship logoChristian Stewardship

St Michael's is a Christian Stewardship parish.  Christian Stewardship is a response we all make to God to thank Him for all He has given us.

Stewardship Renewal 2023

The Rector wrote to all members of the church in June 2023 ...

Dear All
Over the past few weeks we have been talking in our church services about stewardship.
I want you to know that I am very thankful for all the gifts which are so generously given to our church:  time and talents as well as financial giving.  By supporting vital ministry that changes lives both in our church and in the wider community, you are part of something wonderful – a partner in our efforts to share the light of Christ as widely as we can in this village of Tilehurst.  There is much for which we as a church can be grateful, and we continue to look forward to an exciting and challenging time as witnesses to Christ’s love. But this ministry costs money and it is important for all of us who give regularly to the church to review each year our financial commitment.  I am inviting you to do that over the coming few weeks, so that together we can continue to:

  • Express our thanks to God for all he has blessed us with, in our homes and families
  • Give glory to God here in our worship
  • Sustain our activities for our children, our young people and the elderly; extend our care for the wider community, the bereaved and the sick; and maintain our welcome to all
  • Care for those we meet in local outreach and help those in need, both home and abroad by giving to mission
  • Pay our soaring bills, for gas and electricity, insurance, and, through the parish share, our contribution to the cost of our clergy.

I attach a leaflet with some background information that I hope will be helpful.  Please do read it and, of course, get in touch if you would like to discuss anything further.

Once again, many, many thanks for all that you do to support St Michael’s.
With all good wishes

(signed) Liz
The Rev’d Dr Liz Ratcliffe,
Rector, Tilehurst  St Michael
Associate Area Dean of Reading

The leaflet (PDF file) can be accessed by clicking on the above link, and is also reproduced near the foot of this webpage.

Principles of Stewardship

  • We regard our lives, our powers and possessions as gifts from God, to be enjoyed and used in His service and to meet the needs of all mankind.
  • We seek to be stewards of the Gospel and to share in Christ's mission to the world.
  • We seek to be stewards of our planet and be mindful in how we use the earth's resources.
  • We seek to give financially according to our means through the Christian Stewardship planned giving scheme to support God's work.
  • We offer to God all that we give, whether it be time, talents or financial support, and we pray that it will be acceptable to Him.

Church members are encouraged to live by these principles, through generous giving of their time, talents and money - within the church, in the local community, and beyond. For examples of these principles being put into practice, please refer to the web-pages on Mission Giving, Outreach, and Church Activities in general.

Regarding our forward-looking focus on Environmental Stewardship, you may like to refer to our links to other websites about Climate Change.

How to give money to St Michael's Church 

(a) Visitors to Services

Visitors may make a donation towards the running costs of the churchDonors who are taxpayers can increase the value of their donation, at no extra cost, by supplying a few details for Gift Aid, which allows the church to reclaim some tax from the government.

Visitors who wish to make an on-line donation by card should go to the Donations page.

Visitors to church may make a donation either at the time of the collection (which is taken during the Offertory hymn at the 09:30 Sunday service) or by leaving it on the Offertory plate before the start of the service.  Where applicable, taxpayers should use the Gift Aid envelopes in the pews to provide their name and address details.  For those wishing to make donations electronically, a contactless card-reader is available.

(b) Regular church attendees 

Church members are invited to participate in the Planned Stewardship Giving Scheme.  This involves making a commitment to contribute a regular amount to the church's finances.  Again, payments made under Gift Aid enable the church to reclaim tax from the government, thereby increasing the value to the church at no additional cost to donors who pay income tax.

There are three ways to make regular payments:

  1. By Direct Debit (recommended method) - the Parish Giving Scheme
    Subject to the donor's continuing agreement, payments are taken each month by this independent charity operated by the Church of England.  Any Gift Aid tax is reclaimed from the government, and the total amount is passed to St Michael's church.  No-one at St Michael's needs to know any details of the amount given by donors who use Direct Debit.  Donors using this method have the option to have their donations automatically adjusted to account for inflation. 
    Regular payments may be set up by visiting the Donations page.
  2. By Banker's Order
    Donors instruct their bank or building society to make regular payments to St Michael's church.  The Stewardship Recorder at St Michael's is responsible for reclaiming any Gift Aid tax from the government.  No-one else at St Michael's will know any details about donors who use Banker's Orders.
  3. By cash or cheque
    Donors are supplied with a set of Stewardship envelopes.  Each week, the donation is sealed into the envelope which is put into the collection or onto the Offertory plate at church.  The Stewardship Recorder at St Michael's is responsible for reclaiming any Gift Aid tax from the government.  No-one else at St Michael's will know any details about donors who use Stewardship envelopes.

For details of giving by Direct Debit, please read the Parish Giving Scheme leaflet or visit the Parish Giving Scheme website which can also be accessed via the Donations page.

For details of giving by other methods, please read the Giving in Grace leaflet.

Please use the form at the foot of this page to request further information.

The Stewardship Renewal 2023 leaflet



Further Information

Please complete the form below and our Stewardship Recorder will contact you.



Request to be sent information about the Planned Stewardship Giving Scheme.
Please fill in all the boxes.

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