We are fortunate to have three beautiful churches in our parish, at Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden. They have supported the local community for the last 800 or more years. All three churches are listed buildings and each has their own unique character and history.
Although not all of us in the parish are regular churchgoers, many of us enjoy going to church on occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Remembrance Sunday when the churches serve as a focal point for our parish. We also enjoy use of the churches for significant moments in our lives such as christenings, weddings and funerals, and at Bledlow we are also able to use its glorious surroundings for more secular activities.
However, maintaining three such old buildings, insuring, running and heating them when required is expensive. The parish receives no grants or funding from the Church of England. On top of these running costs we have to pay our Parish Contribution, to support the mission and ministry of the Church in the Oxford Diocese, including our own clergy.
We estimate that our total outgoings this year will be £45,000 and we are facing a deficit because our income has not increased at the same rate as our costs. This is not sustainable. Although we are mindful of the rise in the cost of living, please therefore consider whether you can help to keep our churches going for this and future generations to enjoy.
There are a number of ways you can contribute, either by making regular donations or through a one-off contribution (see below). Those who are already making regular donations might consider whether they could increase their contribution, perhaps in line with inflation, if they are not already doing so.
Thank you very much for any contribution that you are able to make
HOW TO GIVE:
a) Regular contributions
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is the best way to make regular donations. This is a Direct Debit scheme that has been set up between the dioceses and you can decide how much to contribute to your parish, how often (monthly, quarterly, annually) and you can opt to inflation-proof your donations. If you are a UK taxpayer, then the Parish Giving Scheme site will handle the Gift Aid reclaim, which has a big cash flow advantage to the parish.
There are 3 ways you can set up a direct debit to the parish:
1) Online using the link https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/bledlow-holy-trinity-oxford
2) By telephone on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
3) Using a paper 'Gift Form' which can be found at the back of the church or on request from the Treasurer, Sarah Moore. You will need our PGS Parish Code – 270627598. If you are already giving via PGS, but want to change the amount or check whether you have ticked the inflationary increase, you can do this online by signing in to My PGS or by ringing PGS on 0333 002 1260 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), quoting our PGS Parish Code which is 270627598.
b) One-off contributions can be made
1) Direct to the PCC Bank account: Name: Holy Trinity PCC Bledlow, Sort Code 40-52-40 , Account No. 00020973 , Reference: Name/donation NB: If you make a donation direct to the bank account, please inform the Treasurer and indicate whether we can reclaim Gift Aid.
2) Alternatively you can also make a one-off donation through the PGS site. (PGS deduct a small transaction fee for processing, but will handle the Gift Aid reclaim)