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The Diocese of Chelmsford has two Parish Giving Advisors, Beccy Hills and Michelle Cottis, who are available to help parishes to strengthen their finances. This is achieved by encouraging generosity and enabling giving in the community and exploring revenue streams to build sustainable mission and ministry. The roles are funded by the Archbishops' Council and a summary of the support they provide is detailed below.
For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
1 Chronicles 29:14
Encouraging generosity
Leadership that is commited to developing a generous church is crutial for developing a sustainable ministry. Our Parish Giving Advisors are happy to speak at Area and Deanery Synod meetings. We recognise that each parish context is unique with its own opportunities and challenges, and therefore can also offer specific tailored support to PCCs.
Parish Giving Advisors can provide leadership support by offering advice and resources to cultivate a culture of generous discipleship in your congregation and wider church community. This includes helping PCCs to review their finances and giving practices, signposting discipleship resources, worship materials and guidance on communicating generosity effectively.
View generosity and giving resources
Enabling giving
It's essential to providing a variety of ways to enable people to give as they wish. This includes accepting one-off gifts, setting up regular planned giving and providing information on how to leave the Church a lasting legacy in a will. Our Parish Giving Advisors can support parishes with:
- Registering for the Parish Giving Scheme to enable regular giving via Direct Debit.
- Digital giving, including contactless devices and online giving.
- Providing information on legacies.
- Maximising giving by claiming Gift Aid on eligible donations.
Fundraising
Whether you're planning for capital works or embarking on a new community project, there are resources and support available.
All parishes in Chelmsford Diocese have free access to the Church Grants database, providing a simple website to identify sources of funding and an interactive forum to pose questions and get expert advice.
Access the Church Grants database
Contact our Parish Giving Advisors
In the first instance, our Parish Giving Advisors can be contacted via email giving@chelmsford.anglican.org.
Beccy Hills
Beccy joined the Chelmsford Diocese 18 months ago as a Parish Giving Advisor, having previously worked for St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, as the Grants and Funding Advisor.
Prior to this Beccy worked for a leading independent school within the fundraising office, working with alumni engagement and data analysis.
She has experience obtaining large grants, co ordinating volunteers, working with funding bodies and establishing legacy campaigns.
She also has extensive experience in both the education and heritage sector.
Michelle Cottis
She is currently a Gift Aid secretary in her own parish and has previous experience as a church treasurer.
Michelle is an ordinand studying at St Mellitus College and an Authorised Local Preacher.
