ARG25
Welcome to our Annual Review of Giving 2025 (ARG25) webpages.
Our 2025 review of giving is focussed on our Giving Sunday, 2 November 2025 when we will announce the responses to this review.
For each member of our electoral roll we are providing a letter (on paper) a copy of our giving flyer and the opportunity to take the Giving Q&A booklet. Digital copies are below. We also have a 2025 sermon on giving that gives a biblical take on giving as we understanding it, here at Holy Trinity Ashby.
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Flyer (in PDF format)
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Q&As (below in a way that works on screen)
If you decide to adjust your giving to Holy Trinity Ashby, please email
giving@trinityashby.net or press the button below, to let our giving team know. This information will be treated confidentially, and our ministers do not learn who gives what.
ARG25 - Q&A Issue 1
Giving Questions and Answers
Annual Review of Giving
Holy Trinity Ashby, 2025
Where does all the money go?
A substantial proportion of your money goes to the Diocese of Leicester. This covers clergy housing, a basic income, training for future clergy and pensions for retired Vicars. These pensions mean they can continue serving the church after retiring, as they so often do.
Your church council spends the rest of the money on the church’s work. This includes maintaining our Church building, complying with regulations, and enabling the amazingly diverse work of this church family.
You can read more about the church's mission and ministry in our annual report, available at trinityashby.net/APCM.
Why do you keep asking us to review our giving?
We ask that you review what you give every year, as circumstances change. We are taught in the Scriptures to give proportionally, and so we need to check in, from time to time, both with the Lord and to ensure that our giving is in line with changes to our circumstances.
What you give is between you and God.
For these reasons, it is important to review things, and doing this once a year seems about the right frequency.
Who knows what I give?
Currently, only our treasurer knows who makes what contributions. In the future, we may have additional Finance Team members who will sign a confidentiality agreement and maintain the details in confidence.
The Vicar does not know who gives what.
What about our building?
The cost of our building, including insurance, heating, lighting, and the routine maintenance that an old building requires, is covered by the donations from our church members. For larger projects, we have also, at times, been able to apply for grants. We are grateful for the work of our Grants Group, who work to find these additional sources of income.
What does the Bible say about money?
The Bible says a great deal. We must be clear that we are saved through faith in Jesus, as a result of His death and resurrection, and not through our giving.
Any good we do as Christians is in response to his grace and is founded on God's work in our lives.
Giving is an expression of faith, which is illustrated throughout the Bible.
The Bible teaches us to give as a proportion of our total income rather than from what is left over after our expenses. This is an act of faith.
This church does not teach tithing as a requirement or a command. And yet, the testimony of unnumbered Christians, who give a tenth of their income, is that God provides for all their needs.
You can learn more about what the Bible teaches about giving in this sermon given at Holy Trinity Ashby this year: trinityashby.net/biblical-giving
Shouldn’t you stop asking when there is a cost-of-living crisis?
The short answer is "no".
A longer answer is that God has us in His hands and calls His people to give as one of His ways to free us from the anxieties and power of money in our lives.
It is good for us to give.
Giving a proportion of our income demonstrates our faith in God and our love for Him, often by providing for the needs of others.
With this in mind, part of our giving should be towards the poor, as well as to the mission and ministry of God's church. In this giving, we show our love to God and to our neighbours.
As part of our work as a church, we facilitate care for the poor by overseeing the work of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and providing the necessary governance and financial oversight for the Ashby Foodbank.
In addition to the church's work with those in need, it is also good for us to give directly to the poor around the world. We encourage you to consider giving to other charities as part of your annual review of giving.
Should I be tithing?
Tithing is the giving of a tenth of our income (and assets (!) in the Old Testament).
In our experience, giving a tenth of your income is a great way to live, but it is a matter between you and God.
We want you to feel joyful in giving, knowing that it is between you and God.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Can I give more by giving less?
Yes! If your income goes down, you might, in God's economy, give more, as a proportion of your income, if you were to keep giving the same or even less than before.
Who decides how much I should give?
This is between you and God. Of course, it will also involve members of your household. If you attend church and other close family members do not join you, this will likely be a sensitive matter that requires wisdom and discernment.
Why doesn't everyone play their part?
Sometimes people start their journey by giving generously; for others, it takes them a while to realise the significance of the opportunity that we have to give and receive from God.
We do not give to get, but when we give, we are blessed.
The key point is that nobody is forced to give.
Who is in charge of how the money is spent?
Decisions regarding the expenditure of the money the church receives are made by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and your Standing Committee.
The Standing Committee makes small and urgent decisions, while the PCC makes significant decisions. These decisions are recorded in the church minutes, which can be made available to those on the electoral roll upon request. If you would like to view the PCC minutes, please visit trinityashby.net/pccm and request access to the approved minutes.
If you have any questions or concerns about PCC business, please do not hesitate to contact our PCC Secretary at pcc-secretary@trinityashby.net. Your enquiry can then be directed to the appropriate person.
What are we funding?
Below is a graph, a pie chart, of where the church expenditure went in 2024, which is the last year we have completed figures for. The big slice goes to the diocese to pay for the cost of the clergy.
Our Staffing costs relate to employing our Parish Administrator (until August 2024) and our verger (and cleaner).
The work of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Ashby foodbank is contributed to by Holy Trinity but funded by direct gifts from various sources. Holy Trinity Ashby provides governance and oversight for both organisations.
How should I give?
Regularly. Monthly works well for many people.
Once it is set up, the simplest way is a monthly Standing Order.
Another way to give is through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), which is facilitated by direct debit. If you would like to use this direct debit system, please email giving@trinityashby.net
When we receive cash or cheques, we incur additional costs because the bank charges us for processing payments made by cash or cheque.
It also requires additional volunteer time to account for these gifts and visit the bank, which is no longer located in Ashby. For more information, see trinityashby.net/giving
You can, but each transaction incurs a cost. Therefore, while these machines are convenient for one-off gifts, regular giving by standing order means that more of your gift reaches Holy Trinity Ashby.
We have a giving terminal located at the back of the church, near the font. You can also donate online by going to trinityashby.net/donate.
Can I give online?
Yes, you can make one-time donations by visiting trinityashby.net/donate.
Who can advise me on how to give?
If you email giving@trinityashby.net, one of our team members will be in touch with you.
Alternatively, you can approach our nominated giving advisors for 2025: Ken Garner, Jean Margaret Harrison, and Bob Onions.
Additionally, we will have volunteers on hand on our preparation Sundays, 19 and 26 October 2025, during our morning services.