Freewill Offering Envelopes & Benevolent Fund
At the end of August, those who prefer to contribute to the funds of the congregation by weekly freewill offering envelopes were given an opportunity to do so. This was a very successful event and the sum contributed amounted to over £30,000. Our most sincere thanks are due to all have contributed to the funds of the congregation over the past few months whether it’s by freewill offering envelope, Standing Order, BACS transfer or by cheque. At a time of reducing income, with all the negative consequences it has for our own congregation and the wider work of the Free Church of Scotland, your generous support is much appreciated as together we endeavour to reach our cities, our towns and our rural communities with the gospel.
At the most recent meeting of the Deacons’ Court it was agreed to repeat the facility for depositing freewill offering envelopes. It was also agreed to use the opportunity to raise funds for the congregation’s Benevolent Fund, and to issue the 2021 freewill offering envelopes.
Repeat facility for depositing freewill offering envelopes:
- On Wednesday 21st October and on Saturday 24th October the church hall on Kenneth Street will be open between 2.00 and 4.00pm to receive freewill offering envelopes.
- If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity you should come along during these times or arrange for a family member or a friend to deliver the envelopes on your behalf.
- You can also contact your district elder or deacon and arrange a time for one of them to collect the envelopes from your home.
- On arrival at the hall, a one way system will be in place and you will enter by the main door and leave using the exit door at the far end of the hall.
- Wearing of face coverings is mandatory and should be worn while you are inside the hall.
- Office bearers will be on hand to guide you towards the area for depositing the envelopes.
- Hand sanitisers will be available at both doors and it’s important that you maintain the recommended 2 metre social distancing on your arrival and while you are inside the hall.
Collection for the Congregation’s Benevolent Fund:
The congregation’s Benevolent Fund was set up many years ago to help meet unexpected costs which families in the community occasionally had to face. In more recent years, due to the cumulative effect of austerity and reductions to benefits affecting the regular income of families, the Deacons’ Court also decided to support local charities like the Eilean Siar Foodbank. Over the months from April to June of this year, donations totalling £3,000 were made to the foodbank from the Benevolent Fund. The demands on foodbanks everywhere during the current crisis is likely to be considerable, particularly as unemployment is likely to rise and as winter sets in.
The Benevolent Fund is usually augmented each year with a retiring collection taken at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service. Due to the current health crisis and the restrictions on numbers gathering, the service this year is more likely to be delivered online rather than by physical attendance.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Benevolent Fund will be given an opportunity to do so at the church hall on Kenneth Street on the same dates and times as given above – 21st October and 24th October from 2.00 to 4.00pm
Contributions can also be made by forwarding a cheque made payable to ‘Stornoway Free Church Benevolent Fund’ to Murdo Macphail (Treasurer), 12a Jamieson Drive, Stornoway, HS1 2LF.
2021 Freewill Offering envelopes:
Due to the current health crisis and the restrictions on visiting houses, which is likely to continue for some time, the Deacons’ Court has decided that Freewill Offering envelopes for 2021 will not be delivered to homes throughout the congregation and will be available for collection at the church hall on the dates and times given above.
It is also intended to have a repeat of all the above events at some point either in late November or early December. Office-bearers will decide then on how best to safely distribute any freewill offering envelopes which have not been collected.
Due to the current rapidly changing Covid related circumstances, the above arrangements may have to be cancelled at short notice.
Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash
