Church of England goes cashless for worshipers’ contributions
With fewer people carrying cash, churches plan to use special card readers for collecting fees and the offering.
Robb Sutherland, of Holy Nativity Church in West Yorkshire, England, with a contactless payment machine. Photo courtesy of Robb Sutherland.
A plan is under way in the Church of England to skip the offering plates and baskets and instead receive cashless payments in its 16,000 churches and cathedrals.
The payment machines will first be used for transactions such as paying funeral fees or for wedding notices. Later, people will also be able to make their weekly offering with the machines.
After a trial carried out in 40 Anglican churches last year, the plan will be used in all dioceses. The idea took root because declining numbers of people use cash.
