Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Legacies and Gift Aid

An initial glance at this year's accounts indicates that our trust funds have done particularly well compared with last year - direct giving up 41 per cent, grants to the Diocese of Jerusalem up 40 per cent. However, there have been a number of specific reasons giving rise to these figures which are unlikely to be repeated regularly. Firstly we received over £20,000 more than last year in legacies, primarily due to a most generous bequest from the late Bishop Leonard Ashton. We also received a significant gift which is included in the figures for Canterbury. Nevertheless we hope the positive trend in income tax recoverable, up £3,000 compared with last year, will continue as more donors use Gift Aid to enable us to recover tax and enhance our income.

Grants to the Dioceses have been influenced by the decision of the Central Synod of the Province to request that all remaining untied funds for the year be granted to the Diocese of Jerusalem in recognition of the particular difficulties being experienced there. This has, therefore, reduced the general funds available for grants to the other Dioceses. Additionally, £19,000 was remitted to Jerusalem for redundant staff at St George's Guest House, as the use of this facility has sadly been severely affected by the situation in Jerusalem. An educational grant of £20,000 was made to the Diocese of Egypt, which resulted in it receiving more than last year.

In common with other charities, we are suffering from the pressure on our sources of investment income, and once again we have to look to the generosity of individual donors to enable us to maintain our support to the Dioceses at the same level as in previous years.

This year's accounts illustrate how legacies can make such a valuable contribution to the work of the Province, I would urge everyone to consider supporting JMECA with a legacy. Donations made under the Gift Aid scheme can also significantly assist in maintaining a continuing supply of funds for the ever-increasing requirements of the region. If you have not yet completed a Gift Aid form, the Secretary will be very happy to provide one.