Finances - Update November 2026

Work Carried out since last Christmas

 The five yearly electrical inspection of the house, hall &  church; PAT testing all electrical appliances; testing of emergency lights and smoke detectors in the Hall &  fitting emergency lights in the church; gas safety tests in the hall, home and church; new  speakers, amplifier & loop system for the deaf and hard of hearing; creating a new day chapel including the removal of an area of asbestos in the ceiling and replaced the plasterboard and painted the whole porch; new double glazed sealed units on exterior windows of the day chapel ordered and sponsored by a parishioner; restoration of Our Lady statue (returning this week from her sabbatical in Liverpool-sponsored by a family in the parish); restoration of the crucifix on the altar-sponsored by a former parishioner; new carpet in the sacristy sponsored by a parishioner; waterproofing of flat roof and repair of roof tiles carried out with new drainage (10k so far). Further repairs are needed to complete the waterproofing of the flat roof; new outdoor Led floodlights around premises; repair and repainting of handrails on ramp and steps; painting of exterior doors ; quotes for repair of the tarmac (11k) needs diocesan approval as it’s over 10k; at present we will need a loan to finance these repairs which would be interest free over a few years! We have about £14K in the current account bank ( and 10K on deposit with the diocese) to run the three properties and pay my annual allowance which is now fixed at £10600 a year. All stipends now go into the parish, not to the priest as in former times! So you can see what’s happening here in the church- keeping me a busy bee! We need your help to support the parish as you do each week by standing orders and planned giving envelopes- but that isn’t going to cover the extra ongoing work and projects we are hoping to undertake.

I am sure you agree that we need to sustain a warm & welcoming Church which is well maintained for future generations. So, if you can help us out- please do so today! If you make a payment via your credit card at the “Dona” device in the porch and if you enter your email, we can claim your tax back- adding 25% and we can do the same with cheques as long as you complete a simple one-off gad form- which are available today. If you are old fashioned and keep your money under the bed and wish to donate some cash to your church- I will come to your house and relieve you of your dosh!

Thanks for those of you (new and old) who support me in my work and please think about how you can help us keep our church alive in Ponteland! Please note, we do not employ a Parish secretary;a cleaner or administrator unlike many parishes & I do not have a “Mrs Doyle style housekeeper as you see on Fr Ted”- I look after myself!

HOW CAN I MAKE MY OFFERING TO THE CHURCH!

You can scan the QR code below at anytime, which you can see by clicking here

You can make a cheque made payable to: DHN Ponteland St Matthew

You can still give cash in today’s second collection, or you may wish to review and boost your weekly offering in your envelopes or by standing order with the bank- which you can do via your bank at any time.

You can fill in a Gift Aid form- if you haven’t already – so we can claim the tax back! Just ask for one at any time!

You can now make an offering as often as you wish using the “Dona Machine” in the porch by credit card.

Whatever you can donate will be greatly appreciated and will go to sustain and improve your Church.

My Sincere Thanks,

My Blessings on you and your families

Fr Anthony Hastie

Parish Priest