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Hardship Fund
At St Paul’s Harringay we budget a small amount each year to support people in financial hardship and acute need: £500 per year at the time of writing. This is called the Hardship Fund. It is open first to those within the church family, and then to those beyond it, in line with the principle in the Bible:
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ (Galatians 6:10)
We want to love our neighbour and relieve as much suffering as possible in those around us. The most effective way we have of doing this is by sharing the good news of Jesus, which can relieve eternal suffering, but we are seeking to also embrace the opportunities to relieve people’s hunger or thirst or illness or imprisonment (Matthew 25:37-40). Where people are really in need, perhaps having been bereaved or left destitute, we want to be their church family (1 Timothy 5:3-8).
What is the Hardship Fund used for?
We’re a very mixed group of people living in a sin-spoiled world that is often sad, broken and messy. That means we come face to face with people experiencing all kinds of different and unpredictable needs. We anticipate money from the fund being used to help people in different ways, for example:
- to help a destitute person in church who can’t afford new shoes over the winter
- to help a single parent pay for a new washing machine after their old one unexpectedly broke
- to pay for a video doorbell for a local family fleeing domestic violence
- to help a family of asylum seekers to relocate to appropriate accommodation
There may be other varied situations you or others are facing. Please get in touch and ask us if this is so.
Sometimes small amounts of money can make a big difference to people. In other cases we will only be able to offer partial support. We do what we can, trying our best to wisely steward what we have.You Can Apply for Support from the Hardship Fund
We welcome enquiries for support from the Hardship Fund. Please contact the Pastor or Churchwardens, giving as much information as possible. We will need proof of damage and/or purchase for replacing items. We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible, but a decision and payment may take a month.
We Rely on Generosity for the Hardship Fund
How We Allocate the Fund
Money given to this fund is held in the church bank account. It can only be spent with the approval of the Priest in Charge plus one Churchwarden. This means that needy people can be helped (when we have the resources to do so) without people’s circumstances being widely known about. We will keep matters confidential where we can, although as a charity we do have to explain where our money goes.
We prefer to pay funds by bank transfer if possible.
How the PCC Oversees the Fund
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Paul's Harringay set the budget each calendar year, including the amount available in the Hardship Fund. They delegate the individual payments to the Priest in Charge and Churchwardens. They may ask to see receipts of payments to make sure funds are being used appropriately.
