A NOTE on games of chance 

 After very careful consideration the PCC of St Matthew’s Harwell has decided that it will not allow games of chance to be used for fundraising purposes in the church or the churchyard, whether by the PCC itself, by an organisation or group supported by the PCC, or by an organisation or group using the church or churchyard for an event.

An organisation or group using the church or churchyard for an event will not be allowed to hold the outcome of a game of chance at the event even if entries have been made elsewhere.

In line with this policy, the PCC will not seek or accept grants or donations from sources whose funds clearly come from games of chance such as the National Lottery.

There is no prohibition on the use of games by non-church organisations or groups hiring the church hall, provided that, by so doing, they are not directly raising funds for the church itself, and provided that they do not conduct any promotion or fundraising in the church or churchyard.