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This web page provides support and information for parishes about Parish Share.
On this page
An introduction by Bishop Guli
Thank you!
I want to begin by expressing my profound gratitude to everyone in our church communities whose generosity enables us to fund local parish ministry through Parish Share.
People are sometimes surprised to discover that the vast majority of funds contributed through Parish Share are used to support local parish ministry, particularly the stipends and housing costs of our parish clergy. It is only because of your generosity that we are able to meet these costs.
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I know this generosity often means significant personal sacrifice, especially during these financially challenging times. I want to reassure you that we are continually focused on using the diocese’s assets and investments wisely, and on scrutinising our expenditure, to help keep Parish Share as low as possible. As a result, once again this year we are able to budget to spend more on the direct costs of local parish ministry than we are asking to receive through Parish Share.
As I travel around the diocese, meeting and spending time with people in our church communities, I am often left heartened and in awe at the wonderful things I see taking place, and by the commitment, skill, energy and faithfulness of our church leaders and volunteers.
I also know that the demands and strains on church leaders are not only financial. We face the challenges of diminishing numbers of volunteers and people discerning a call to ministry, of caring for the wellbeing of those who are currently serving, and of the costs and work needed to look after our church buildings. These issues are at the heart of the Travelling Well Together – Sustaining Ministry conversation now taking place across our diocese, as we discern how we can be an enduring missional presence in Essex and East London in the times and context in which God has placed us. I want to take this opportunity to invite your church community to participate in that conversation. More information can be found on the diocesan website <link>.
Finally, I hope you will find the resources on this web page helpful, they have been prepared to explain how the Parish Share Scheme operates in our diocese and to support you in sharing that information with others in your church community. There are also links to resources to help with fundraising, encouraging generosity and managing parish finances, which I hope will be useful to you.
The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani
Bishop of Chelmsford
Further guidance and information
Parish Share
- How to read your detailed deanery assessment
- Diocesan Synod Paper, June 2026: 2027 Budget and Parish Share Scheme
- Detailed explanations:
Finance and giving resources for your parish
Good practice and materials from deaneries and parishes
In this section we will be sharing materials and ideas that have been used in deaneries to support the implementation of the parish share scheme and in particular to encourage and enable mutual support between parishes. If you have materials or ideas that you would like to share, please email web@chelmsford.anglican.org
Colchester Deanery Materials
Thank you to colleagues in Colchester Deanery for sharing a Powerpoint presentation and leaflet that was used to support their initial deanery meeting about the new parish share scheme in 2023. They are happy for other deaneries to adapt these resources for their own use.
- Deanery Meeting Powerpoint Presentation (including agenda)
- Deanery Meeting Power Point Presentation (including agenda) as PDF. *
- Deanery Parish Share leaflet
*This PDF version of the presentation may be useful for those without Powerpoint or where the Powerpoint presentation isn't displaying as it should.
Free Parish Share leaflets
This leaflet has been produced for parishes to share in their church community. The leaflet briefly explains the parish share scheme, its underpinning values and how essential it is to supporting local parish mission and ministry in our diocese. The leaflet also contains links to the online resources.
50 or 100 free leaflets can be ordered by incumbents (or equivalent), churchwardens or parish administrators.
Please ensure orders are placed by Friday 25 September 2026 for delivery in mid October 2026.
Parish Share Video
A short explainer video about our Parish Share scheme and how churches are funded in Chelmsford Diocese has been published. It explains how the diocesan Parish Share, a contribution from every parish across the diocese, funds local parish ministry as part of our shared life together.
This video resource helps parishes to explain how parish share works – where the money goes; how it is spent and the impact it makes. The video also thanks everyone in our church communities, whose generosity helps fund local parish ministry in churches across Essex and East London.
Watch the video below:
