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The
time has come again for the Diocese to assess what St Mary's contribution
should be to Diocesan funds - known as the Quota. The assessment, as I
expect you know, is made up of two elements.
The
first is the number of people in the congregation, called the Agreed
Membership Figure (AMF). This includes all who attend church at least once a
month, or receive a regular home ministry. Please note that this includes
the Clergy!
The second element is the level of income, that is how prosperous, or
otherwise, we are, called rather ponderously the Personal Income Category (PIC).
St Mary's has a fairly well-off congregation; somewhere such as St Mary's
Wimbledon would be (probably) very well-off; some parishes in Mitcham or St
Helier would certainly not be. The level of income is determined by an
anonymous survey which the people of the parish complete.
It is
VITAL that we all complete this survey, even if you feel you are not very
active in St Mary's, for one very good reason. - We want to get a true
picture of our level of income, neither too low nor too high. Our more
active members are likely to include higher-income earners. If only they
were to complete the survey, the estimate of our income would be too high!
So please, whether your income is pretty good, or low - OR none at all - we
need to have a return.
The
survey assesses GROSS income, and makes the contribution a percentage of
that. The survey is ANONYMOUS, but everyone shows that they have made a
return by putting their name on a SEPARATE slip - this also is vital, to
show that our total membership has replied; if we do not, then we are into a
difficult guessing game which nobody wants.
The survey will take place in late April or early May, and I look forward to
a smooth operation and outcome.
Neville Squires
Churchwarden
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