The abbey and parish church has stood at the centre of the town of Bourne for nearly 900 years as a witness of the Christian faith. Prayer and worship are offered here daily and the building is open during the day as a haven for quiet thought and prayer. Most people attend church for Sunday worship and midweek services, both to deepen their faith and discover how it can form part of their daily lives. Families from the whole parish of Bourne come to bring their children for baptism and to celebrate a marriage. They come to commend loved ones to God and give thanks for their lives.

We try to provide opportunities for worship and celebration for many sections of our community. For the young, through the family service each month and family activities on each Sunday morning in term time. Our civic leaders come at the beginning of their term of office and we commemorate, with the whole parish those who gave their lives in war. We want to offer hospitality and the use of our building to all those who wish to call in and light a candle or sit for quiet reflection. This is just a small part of our ministry but to continue and develop further we must take action now.

During the last three years the number of regular givers has decreased though our congregations have remained steady.

At present it costs £2,000 per week to keep the abbey open. Our regular income averages £1,700. Unless we can make up this shortfall we shall be unable to care for this Grade 1 listed building properly and we shall be unable to build on the work we are doing in the community.

We need at least £300 extra each week.

Our challenge is to raise this from regular planned giving. To develop our ministry and provide a fitting place for worship, we must engage more of our parishioners and all our congregation.

How can you help?

Give generously
Join our Planned Giving Scheme and make a regular weekly/monthly/quarterly contribution through the envelope scheme or through your bank. If you are already a member of the scheme, consider prayerfully whether you can increase your contribution.

Give wisely
If you are a UK taxpayer, please register to make your offering Gift Aided. This currently adds 28p to every £1 that you give at no additional cost to you!

Give cheerfully
The apostle Paul reminds us, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 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.

We shall be pleased to come and discuss planned giving with you and answer any questions that you may have.

We thank all of you that already give: if you can possibly increase your regular giving it would be enormously appreciated. For those of you who would like to help us please consider joining our planned giving scheme, making a gift, increasing your cash offering or remembering the church and its work in your will.

NOTE: Reproduced from the appeal leaflet distributed
throughout the parish in November 2010.