Covid-19 and Parish Finances

This is a copy from a very good article on the parish resources website.

We are aware this is a very difficult time and will prompt a number of questions and concerns. The following guidance on financial concerns will be updated regularly.

With our prayers and best wishes for you, your families, colleagues and friends at this unusual time.

Government Support Measures

We have had several enquires about the measures the government has announced to help organisations in the light of the developing COVID-19 situation. The package of measures is likely to evolve over time but you can find a useful summary of measures announced to date here.

This provides information on:

• Government-backed loans

• Business Rates reliefs

• Direct business grants

• Supporting the self-employed

• Tax – Improved Time To Pay arrangements https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

• Paying Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

• Potential tax issues arising from international travel restrictions

• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

FAQS

My church income relies on cash donations from visitors and at services, or from hall bookings. What can I do? With the suspension of public worship and social distancing measures, churches that rely on hall bookings or cash donations from visitors and at collections for income may find that they face especially significant income shortfall in the months ahead. Churches will be dependent on the generosity of others as they themselves are able to be generous to the wider community at this time. There are a range of alternatives to cash that you can explore that don’t require face to face contact. These mechanisms can enable one-off donations from people , or act as alternative ways to give for those who regularly donate by cash. As churches are now closed, consider emailing or writing to your community to let them know how to give. You might want to add a link to an online giving platform during a live streamed service or your social media pages. *Links on Parish Buying can be accessed easily. If you are not already registered, it is free and quick to do here. Mobile Phone Giving: · Text giving · QR codes* – A QR code is a unique code made up of small black and white squares that can be read by the camera or a QR code reader on a smartphone. It can be printed onto anything that you print on paper, such as a pew card, an order of service, parish magazine, poster, banner or card. Receiving online donations via your website and link to email and your social media channels. Some providers offer a ‘donate now button’ you can link to in live streamed services. Taking Contactless Card Payments *: During this period of closure please consider investing in a contactless card reader* as so many people don’t carry cash it gives you more chance of receiving a donation once your building reopens. Should we handle cash? There is currently no recommendation not to handle cash and as long as banks remain open you should aim to bank it. There is evidence that coronavirus can stay on surfaces for several days, so you should take the following precautions when handling cash: • Wash your hands before and after counting cash (coins or notes) or wear disposable gloves • Be extremely careful not to touch your face or lick your fingers during the counting process • Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant • Store cash securely in sealed plastic bags before banking We rely on regular giving given in cash through an envelope system, what should we do? Now is a good time to encourage those who make their regular gifts by cash in envelopes to consider giving by standing order or direct debit as appropriate, even if on a temporary basis. A template form for setting up a standing order can be found here. If your diocese is part of the Parish Giving Scheme, regular gifts can be made by direct debit. Find out more here: www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk How can we encourage people to make a donation?You may want to adapt this wording to encourage people to make donations: This church relies on donations to stay open and provide care and support to everyone in this community. Now more than ever, please consider giving generously to support our mission and ministry. Thank you for your support.