Regular participation in worship, prayer, fellowship and service
are our most valuable offerings to God. We have described financial
giving here for the sake of clarity. There is no church where there
is only financial giving, but where there is praise and thanksgiving
to God in Christ, demonstrated through love for one another and
outreach to the world.
Annual pledges by the majority of members and friends allow us to
anticipate expenses and to plan for new initiatives. Members discuss
new program ideas at a congregational meeting in late September;
pledges are solicited in October for the following year. The tithe,
or one-tenth of one’s income, is a commitment which dates
back to the Old Testament. Members may not reach the tithe, but
we encourage one another to reflect not only upon what it takes
to “run” the church, but what we have to give.
Pledges may be paid at any time of the year and are often received
by mail. Sunday offerings consist of pledged gifts, gifts from visitors,
and additional offerings by pledging members. After all, giving
is also spontaneous; we are reminded that the left hand is not supposed
to know what the right hand is doing.
As part of our celebration of these two Christian holidays, we receive
additional, holiday gifts to the church.
Ten percent of all regular congregational giving is committed by
our budget to wider mission within and beyond our two denominations.
Monthly communion offerings support local mission and emergency
relief. These gifts exceed the congregation-wide tithe to mission.
Children learn the fundamental principles of ecumenical cooperation
and community-based economic development through Heifer Project
International. They hold fund-raisers throughout the year and dedicate
their own mission check each June.
We solicit contributions to special funds on an as-needed basis.
We maintain a Capital Fund for major building maintenance. We also
raise money to produce our Jazz Christmas Benefit each December,
proceeds of which support community development efforts.
Members are encouraged to donate floral arrangements for Sunday
worship at any time in honor or memory of persons or occasions.
Memorial gifts are always accepted, and named funds are established
whenever total donations exceed $500. Bequests and other named gifts
are accepted at the discretion of the Church Board. Unrestricted
gifts allow the future church flexibility in meeting its needs and
ministries, but the church is also open to receiving restricted
gifts which are suitable to our identity and mission.
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