Giving to the Church in Westcott

Thank you for your interest in giving to the Church in Westcott.

We have to raise c. £130,000 per year to sustain the life of our church: keeping a full-time vicar; contributing to wider costs of the Church of England; paying for ministry and mission; employing staff; maintaining buildings. We do have a few sources of income but essentially, most of the money needed for the church in Westcott has to be funded through giving.

Giving is a spiritual obligation and privilege

There is more teaching through the Bible about wealth and giving than any other topic (apart from God’s love for His creation). Essentially, the Bible teaches that all we have comes from God and we can enjoy material things, but also must understand that our deepest needs are spiritual.

We are to give to those in need and to support a vibrant, worshipping community. We become freer to give the more important God is in our lives – the more we realize that peace, joy, contentment, love, freedom come from relationship with God than material things.

The more, less, more principle:
More God, Less Spending, More Giving

How much should I give?

A common biblical guide is to give a 'tithe' with perhaps 5% of income to charity / mission agencies and 5% to the Church. For some, this may be too much whereas for others, a 'graduated tithe' may be more appropriate: giving higher percentages, the higher the income.

The most important principle is summed up by St Paul:

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance …”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8

How to give

There are two ways to make a donation to the Church in Westcott.

1. Setting up a Standing Order

Regular giving makes a huge difference to supporting our work. Our bank details are:
Westcott Church Funds
Sort Code: 20-23-97
Account Number: 10060658

If you are eligible for GiftAid (find out here), please email htstewardship@aol.com and we will provide you with a Gift Aid form.

2. Set up a donation via Charities Aid Foundation

If you would prefer to make a one-off or regular donation via the Charities Aid Foundation, please click on this link.

Thank you!

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning, or Wednesday morning.

Where and When - Sunday Morning

We meet at Holy Trinity Church (find us) on Sunday mornings. There are two Sunday Services to choose from:

The 8:30 am Book of Common Prayer Communion Service

This is a traditional service, with organ-led traditional hymns. It is a beautiful and peaceful way to begin your Sunday morning. The service lasts about 45 minutes.

The 10:15am Parish Service is either a service of Morning Worship, or Communion.

This is a more informal service, with a mixture of traditional hymns and modern worship songs. The service usually lasts about an hour. This service is also livestreamed on Zoom. You won't be able to use your camera or microphone, but will be able to see, hear and join in with the service, from the comfort of your own home.

Mask wearing is no longer mandatory in church, but there are designated seating areas for those who prefer to wear masks.

If you feel unwell, please do not come in person - join us on Zoom at our 10:15am Sunday services.

For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space (if you're driving) and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our Welcome Team who will answer any questions you might have about the service, and help you find a seat.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after both services. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to pause and reflect before heading home. All refreshments are free.
Accessibility: There is wheelchair access to the side of the church, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up.

Where and When - Midweek

On Wednesday mornings, at 10am, there is a small, friendly and informal Communion Service, held at St John's Chapel (find us). There are a choice of sofas or chairs to sit on. The service usually starts with a song (unaccompanied but joyful!) and lasts about 30 minutes. Refreshments are usually served afterwards.
Parking directly outside St John's is limited, so if you want a guaranteed parking space, it is a good idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early. However if you are able, there is on-street parking available in Furlong Road or St John's Road. A warm welcome awaits you!

Getting Connected

Small Groups
While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some mornings and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Do get in touch with us if you'd like to know more about any of these services, or if you have any other questions about coming along to church.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.