Address on the First Half of the Financial Year 2026-27
ADDRESS
To the Parishioners of Our Lady & St Joseph, Kirkwall,
On the First Half of the Financial Year 2026-27
Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church
Sunday, 11th October 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Introduction
We are half-way through the financial year which began on 1st April 2026, so I thought that this would be a good time to address you concerning the finances of the parish.
1. Thank you
Firstly, I would like to thank you all those who through your financial contributions have helped in the upkeep of the parish and the furthering of its mission. Your donations matter and are greatly appreciated. Please continue your donations and do not stop giving.
2. Offertory Income
The offertory collection, although not the only source of income for the parish, is the most significant component of our finances. It helps to pay for the heating, lighting and maintenance of the church and the presbytery, in addition to supporting the upkeep of the priest and the running of the parish office.
It also helps in the mission of the parish by paying for items needed for the liturgy and for those resources required for the formation of children and adults in their faith. It also supports the priest in his pastoral work in the parish.
Since I came in March, there has been a steady increase in income from the offertory collection. In recent months, the monthly collection has increased from about £1,500 to just under £2,000. That is an incredible achievement!
3. Operating Deficit
However, for years the parish has been running an operating deficit which has reduced our capital. This is a result of expenditure regularly outstripping our income from the offertory collection. In only two months since the start of the financial year has the parish broken even, and this was due to interest received from the Diocesan Endowment Trust.
4. The Challenge Ahead
There are a number of challenges we face in the near future:
- Since last month, the cost of energy has risen enormously. With the onset of winter, heating the church and the house will present a significant drain on our finances;
- There are maintenance projects, such as insulating the presbytery loft, and the replacement of the presbytery back door and kitchen windows, which will have to be put on hold until we can find the money to proceed.
5. Solutions
With the help of the Parish Council and the Parish Treasurer, we will be looking for other income sources for the parish. This could include regular fundraising and approaching grant-making bodies.
6. What You Can Do
So what can you do to help? As I said earlier, please do not stop giving. Your donations matter and remember, we have come a long way since March.
If you are not donating to the offertory collection, I would ask you to consider starting.
- You can pay into the plate each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.
- If you prefer, you may wish to pay by Standing Order from your bank account to the parish. That means that if you miss an offertory collection, the parish will still receive your contribution. The Parish’s bank account details are on the front of the bulletin.
- Also, if you are the UK taxpayer, you may wish to donate via the Gift Aid Scheme. However much and whenever you give by Gift Aid, the parish receives 25p for every pound from HMRC. All you need to do is complete a Gift Aid Declaration (GAD) and hand it to me or to Mary Dunn, the Parish Treasurer and Gift Aid Organiser. There are forms at the back of the church today.
7. How Much Should I Give?
How much should you give? I am not going to give you a figure, but if you have not reviewed your giving for some time, you may want to update it.
8. Charitable Legacies
Also, if you are making your will or updating it, you may wish to consider making a charitable legacy to benefit the parish.
Conclusion
Thank you for your time and your attention. It is not always easy to listen to someone talking about money, but I hope that I have given you all enough detail for you to make a good informed decision.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak to me or to Mary Dunn, or any member of the Parish Council.
Rev. Andrew J. Kingham
Parish Priest