Church of England and Parish Council Payments - Thoughts?

[Psamathe]

I suggested… “”why not use them to house refugees or homeless?”. To me,that seemed rather an obvious suggestion, particularly for an organisation like “The” Church. But, clearly, it was not the first thing that came to their minds.

I live not far from a Pilgrim's Way and increasing number of churches along the route are allowing walkers to camp in their churchyards (advanced permission ie call day before just to let them know). Main constrain it toilets. Just happens my local church now has a toilet, they applied for it but decided they didn't want to pay for ongoing maintenance so got Parish Council (all us Council taxpeyers) to pay for the ongoing costs. It irritates me that they are so unprepared to give anything back to the community they have not joined the allowing people on Pilgrim Way to camp in the churchyard. Nothing being offered back to the community, just a one way flow.

I note your comment about not being a member of your church so what happens to the houses is something you don't have a say in, but I am contributing to the running costs of the toilet and yet no concept of community from the church.

Ian

 

[C R]

To me it's a question as to wether or not we live in a secular society. It then starts raising questions about eg Bishops in House of Lpords. But on a more local level I was thinking that the Church of England owns the Church & Churchyard, they are a registered charity who thus already benefit from tax breaks, so what I regard as compulsory donations are additional to support the Government has deemed appropriater (and such support is available to pretty well all religious organisations).

I would find it easier if the local church did some "good works" but all their collection goes to themselves not charitable works for those in need.

Ian

I've heard that around here Parish Councils help the church maintenance but attach the condition that the church must facilitate non denominational use. Apparently this has caused a significant drop in requests for funding by the church. They were happy to take without having to give back.

 

[Ian H]

... Just happens my local church now has a toilet... ...just a one way flow.

You'd hope so.

 

[icowden]

Recently there was conversation about 2 o 3 houses, owned by “The” Church, but, surplus to requirements and standing empty. As a total non-believer, it is not really in my remit, but, I suggested… “”why not use them to house refugees or homeless?”. To me,that seemed rather an obvious suggestion, particularly for an organisation like “The” Church. But, clearly, it was not the first thing that came to their minds.

In a similar vein I always found it quite difficult to reconcile the Vicar's sermons on giving and the pamphlets about setting up direct debits to help the church, with the Vicarage in Walton in Ashley Park. A building worth several million £ in a private estate. Yes, it's nice for the Vicar to be able to hold garden parties and to be able to support retired clergy living there, but I'm not 100% sure that that wouldn't have been possible if they sold the Vicarage for £3 million or so and bought somewhere cheaper.

 

[theclaud]

View: https://youtu.be/Rz2u-qA537I

 

[Ian H]

View: https://youtu.be/Rz2u-qA537I

Our COVID-era town council was just as disfunctional, but I'm afraid the Zoom recordings aren't available.