Each parish’s PCC decides.
Each parish is told the costs of keeping its clergy and its share of other costs. The PCC makes an offer based on its knowledge of its own finances and diocesan finances. The offer reflects the parish’s ability to give as well as how much it costs to run the parish. Not all parishes can give this full amount, so the generosity of past generations supports parishes that cannot meet their full costs. However, this inheritance is limited, so for the Church to continue to be present in poor and deprived areas of London, as well as in rich areas, the less well-off, poor parishes depend on the generous, committed and sacrificial giving of better-off parishes.
In 2008 we hope to collect over £18,200,000 through Common Fund and a further £6,800,000 from rents, investments and other donations in order to meet our commitments; a total of £26,000,000.
The budget for 2009 will be agreed at Synod in December 2008, following parishes' commitments to Common Fund for 2009.
In past years when contributions to the Common Fund have not been sufficient there have been reductions in clergy and lay posts. In some parishes self-supporting clergy have been appointed, or two parishes have been put together. This may have to happen again if sufficient funds are not available. Selling property and reducing central costs will not provide a long term solution to a lack of income.
There are over 500 stipendiary (paid) clergy across the diocese.
Another 140 clergy give their time free (self-supporting/non-stipendiary clergy).
There are over 400 parishes in the Diocese of London.
Almost 200 parishes are in areas classified as ‘deprived’.
There are 148 Church Schools.
Please use www.london.anglican.org/London-Challenge to find out more about plans to maintain and grow the Church in London.
1. What is Common Fund?
2. Common Fund: a resource for mission in London
3. Who decides how much a parish pays?
