"...this year, our appeal is not for a physical building, but for a building of people, to finance ministries and discipleship: the architecture of a temple of living stones whose builder is God. We have a target of £120,000 to fund our ministries to students, children, the poor, internationals, families, the elderly and missions in the city and beyond...We are inviting you to give generously, sacrificially, cheerfully. Why cheerfully? Because to give cheerfully is to encounter the love of God. I know that for some coping with recession or poverty, the subject of money is anything but easy. But I also know from years of struggling with money before experiencing breakthrough how vital it is to get our thinking straight and to act prophetically and generously in this area. We believe that, as we give sacrificially as in the book of Chronicles, a whole generation can come to know the goodness of the Lord."
You can read Charlie Cleverly's letter to the church in full
here. Envelopes specifically for the autumn Gift Days are available from the Information Desk in the Entrance Area of the Church or from David Saunder at the Parish Centre. More information about giving to St Aldates can be found on our
Giving page.
The encouragements that follow are from a variety of members of the church speaking about their passion for St Aldates, and the reasons they are giving this autumn:
“Whoever wins Oxford and the minds and hearts of her students wins the world. I can’t think of a more effective way of doing so than by investing in the strategic and advancing ministry of St Aldates.”
Patrick McDonald (Chief Executive, Viva Network)
“I believe in St Aldates because I know it can bring the hope and truth of Jesus to Oxford and the world. I am participating in this autumn gift day because it’s too important not to. I have been blessed and fed and equipped by this church family for 10 years. Financial giving is just one way to express to God my gratitude for all He is doing in my life during this season and to bless others.”
Andrea Farres (Health Visitor)
“I see so much evidence of God changing people’s lives at St Aldates. I am participating in this autumn gift day because I want to invest in the advancement of His Kingdom.”
Dr Ard Louis (Oxford University Lecturer in Theoretical Physics)
“I believe in St Aldates because it is a Word and Spirit church. I want to see God’s Kingdom grow in the life of His people and in the city of Oxford. A gift day gives us a golden opportunity to see this happen.”
Rev Will Donaldson (Director of Christian Leadership, Wycliffe Hall)
“I believe in St Aldates because of its desire to be a ‘city on a hill’; unhidden in an age of concealment and glowing in a time of darkness. I’m participating in this autumn gift day because I want to be part of a community that looks like this.”
Laura Gallacher (Teacher)
“I believe in St Aldates because I believe in real, messy church: lived-in community that breathes life into all situations and reaches out to those who are lost, lonely or hurting. I am participating in this autumn gift day because of our commitment to one another and to our living God.”
Jonathan Self (Link Materials Editor, CMS)
“We believe in St Aldates because it cares for the least. We’re participating in this autumn gift day because Jesus Christ became poor so that we, through His poverty, might become rich.”
Vince & Jo Vitale (Postgraduate students)
St Aldates is a registered charity no. 1131154
