The Christ Church Support Fund
Introduction
The purpose of the Christ Church Support Fund is to offer limited financial help to those, from within the church or connected community, who are in particular need. It is rooted in the Biblical principles of practical care for the needy, and a concern for the whole person, and is a response to the current cost of living crisis for many in our society.
A minimum of £4,000 will be held in this Fund, and individuals from Christ Church are free to make financial contributions into the Fund during the course of the year if they so wish. If you would like to give into this fund, please do speak to the Treasurer.
If you have a particular financial need yourself, then please do contact the Vicar or the Church Wardens; if you are aware of someone else who is in a difficult position, then please do refer them to the Support Fund, or have a chat with the Vicar or a Church Warden.
Below describes the process of how the Support Fund works:
Process
Applicants can be self-referring, or perhaps more likely, referred by a member of the congregation or staff team.
Applicants should have some link with the Christ Church Family (including the school). The stronger the link, the more favourably the application will be considered.
Occasional gifts may be granted to those outside the Church, if a case of extreme need is discovered and felt appropriate.
Decisions on the distribution of the Support Fund below £100 can be taken by the Vicar (notifying the Treasurer / wardens) & maintaining confidentiality.
Decisions on the distribution of the Support Fund over £100 will be taken by the Vicar & at least one of the church wardens (notifying the Treasurer / other warden) & maintaining confidentiality.
A maximum “one off” gift of £400 can be made.
Applicants may make more than one application, if serious need persists.
Money given from the Support Fund will be offered as a gift, however where the financial difficulty clearly seems temporary, the applicant might consider part or total repayment, should they feel more financially stable and stronger in the future. This money would then be available to give to someone-else in need.
If the applicant is self-referring, then at least one member of the team making the decision, should spend some time talking with them about their situation.
A short form with the name, date, brief description of need and amount given should be filled out and signed by recipient (to be kept confidentially in locked cupboard in office)
The grant will be made either in cash, or by a bank transfer, or making a particular purchase or paying for a particular bill
Decisions will be made on the basis of grace, generosity and wise stewardship of resources. We don’t want to be judgemental, but we will need to make considered judgements, therefore not all applications will necessarily result in a gift being granted.
For further information or to make an application, contact either john.shepherd@ccsurbiton.org or wardens@ccsurbiton.org
If you would like to contribute to the fund, contact treasurer@ccsurbiton.org
Last Updated: March 2023