If you forgot your wallet on the way to the Church of England (or any church in England) don't worry! According to Daily Mail, the church is "bringing the collection plate into the digital age with the introduction of contactless payment terminals across every diocese."

What is a diocese, you ask? A diocese is a district under the care of a bishop in the Christian Church.

Starting today (20 March) the Church will have "portable card readers available [in] more than 16,000 churches, cathedrals, and religious sites." In doing so, they aim to make the act of donating less cumbersome and hopefully more frequent.

So far, these readers seem pretty advanced. They can take Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip, and pin payments. They are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Talk abour ease of access!

SumUp, a London-based fintech company, runs this fine little piece of technology. Right now, each reader must have a "merchant," or member of the Church, to intiate and take payments. A "merchant" and device will be present at the beginning and end of a service or Church event.

According to Daily Mail, the Church of England has been trying to find new and inovative ways to receive donations "in an increasingly cashless society." Some events, like weddings, funerals, and christenings, "are not necessarily prepared for the collection plate" and they have to figure out some other way to receive payment.

"There is a clear need for our parishes to introduce card and contactless facilities and we are excited to make this available," John Preston, national stewardship officer at the Church, said. "How we pay for things is changing fast, especially for younger church-goers who no longer carry cash, and we want all generations to be able to make the most of their place of worship."

Quick and convenient! But what will we do with the collection plate?