At our Annual Conference and AGM in June 2011 the Board of Trustees informed everyone present of the current financial situation and the measures we are taking to be able to continue to fulfil our objectives and meet our commitments. LGCM is and has always been a membership organisation dependent for its existence solely on the membership fees and generous donations of members and supporters. This has been one of our strengths in that we are free to campaign and speak out on whatever issue you deem to be appropriate as we are beholden to no one other than yourselves. However, it is also a weakness as during times of economic recession people are unable to be as generous as they would like and consequently our income falls.
In 2010 we were able to attract our first ever external funding which was for a specific project. Whilst we are hoping to find further funding for other projects and to continue to develop the Faith and Sexuality Project, this money does not provide for our core costs or to support the much needed grass roots work.
For example, the vital work of:
- Campaigning against the implementation of draconian laws around the world such as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda.
- Challenging governments to act against discrimination and oppression as with the imprisonment of the gay couple in Malawi.
- Communicating with the government regarding the implementation of anti-discrimatory laws such as the conducting of Civil Partnerships on religious premises. Imputing into discussions on equality legislation through the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
- Bringing together diverse lgbt faith groups to have a united presence within the lgbt community as with Christians Together at Pride.
- Liaising with other lgbt faith groups to have a stronger voice in society and the Church, especially within the Church of England.
- Supporting the lgbt groups within different denominations to bring about positive change. Campaign against faith based discrimination to bring about true equality such as with marriage equality.
- Support the setting up and running of local groups to provide direct contact and support for lgbt Christians across the country. Providing educational resources for use in schools, churches, home groups and youth groups etc. to provide opportunities for people to discuss the issues of human sexuality.
- And much, much more…
Our membership levels are remaining constant and we do not want to increase the membership fee as we feel it’s important that all people are able to join regardless of their financial situation. Consequently we are asking those who are able to do so to join the 1 in 10 Campaign.
The facts are these:
- We currently have approximately 1000 members
- We currently have a shortfall of about £1000 per month
Therefore we are looking for 1 in 10 of our members or other supporters to commit to giving an extra £10 per month to generate the extra income that we need. We fully appreciate that not everyone will be able to take on this commitment and that you are probably getting fed up with being asked for financial assistance but I would like to encourage you to commit to whatever you can as the work of LGCM is still as much needed today as it has ever been.
Please use telephone or internet banking or download and fill in this form and return it to the office to set up a regular payment (standing order) to LGCM. Our bank details are:
Sort Code: 40-52-40, Account No: 00003356
Bank: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ.
Please contact the office to let us know that you’ve done this, telling us how much we should expect to receive and how often. Please let us know if you are a UK tax-payer so that we can claim Gift Aid on your donation.
James began his talk in typical style by creating for us one of his helpful metaphors for the event which was Christ. He asked us to imagine a smug, self-satisfied potentate; the ruler of some fictitious Star Wars type planet. This ruler has been dispensing justice according to rules which were established many years ago. Gradually, a speck appears in the sky which is noticed by the people of the planet. The speck gets bigger and, eventually, it becomes clear that this is an approaching star which is on collision-course. The people know that the approaching star will change everything but the potentate, though worried, continues to dispense his justice according to the old laws. As the approaching star passes, the people realise that the course of their own planet has been irrevocably altered. The potentate has been wrong all this time: he failed to see the fact that their previous course would have led them to a ‘black hole’ of annihilation.
