During September we will be thinking together about generosity, gratitude and giving. Our starting point is simple: everything we have begins with God’s generosity — our lives, our gifts, our relationships, our world and the love we receive.

As a church, we want to reflect on how that love is shared through our worship, pastoral care, community life and mission. We also need to be honest that our current expenditure is greater than our income, and if we are to sustain and grow the life of St Stephen’s with St Julian’s, we need to review our giving together.

During the month information about the life and finances of our parish will be available and you are invited to pray, reflect and review your own giving.

There is no set amount and no pressure — simply an invitation to consider, prayerfully, how each of us might respond to God’s generous love.