Time and Talent/Stewardship
Stewardship
YOUR PLEDGE IS STILL IN EFFECT! We would like to thank everyone for
continuing to meet and exceed your pledged contributions each month. This is just a
friendly reminder that pledge amounts will stay in effect until September 2011, when
we have our next Stewardship Pledge Sunday (more details to come). In the meantime,
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! Also, please remember that any special
pledges to specific programs are always welcome (i.e. Sunday School, First Communion,
Flowers, etc.). Finally, besides your Treasures, please remember to share
your Time and Talents with the St. Timothy Community as well. Without wonderful
and dedicated volunteers our programs wouldn’t be successful. Find your niche, and
dive in!!"
SAINT TIMOTHY MAKE IT SIMPLE PLEDGE PROGRAM Q & A
WHAT IS A PLEDGE?
A
pledge is a promise to donate a certain amount of money each year to
help St. Timothy operate our ministry and perform our mission. Your
pledge is your best estimate of the total amount you plan to give St.
Timothy for the church year.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PLEDGING?
While
pledging is an act of faith and a concrete statement of our response to
God’s grace, it is also crucial for us in determining our annual
operating budget to plan and support all of the operational costs of
our ministry and mission giving to our congregation and community. It
is your annual pledge that provides the knowledge of what income we can
expect to conduct our operations and plan our programs for the coming
year.
WHERE IS THE MONEY I PLEDGE GOING?
Your
annual pledge supports everything done at St. Timothy including
operating costs of our pastoral ministry, administrative and staff
operations, community outreach programs, Christian education programs,
worship and music, youth ministry, building mortgage, property
maintenance, and all other programs we can afford to provide based on
your generosity. The higher the pledge, the more mission support and
services we can provide our congregation and community.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PLEDGE?
The
Old Testament refers to tithing to support God’s work. The word tithe
comes from old English meaning a tenth. Some churches ask for a tithe
or 10% of your gross income. Some ask for 4% or 5% to start and add 1%
each year in moving up to a tithe. At St. Timothy we have no steadfast
rule of what amount to pledge. You should make your pledge based on
your sense of thanksgiving for all you have that comes from God, and
what portion of that you can return to God through St. Timothy in
performing its mission of serving God and our community.
I’M NOT SURE WHAT I CAN AFFORD THIS YEAR. HOW CAN I PLEDGE?
Suggest
you pledge responsibly, based on your best estimate of your anticipated
income. Your pledge can be adjusted during the year if your
circumstances change. Simply call or e-mail the church office of any
change. Your pledge is a promise, not a contract – but letting us know
of your intention helps us to anticipate our cash flow and manage our
budget.
WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS HOW MUCH I PLEDGE AND HOW MUCH I CONTRIBUTE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?
There
is only one person who knows each person’s pledge and how much you
contribute with a payment that identifies you (check, Simply Giving,
etc.) throughout the year. This one person is sworn to confidentiality
of your information and no one else is provided that information – not
Pastor Groce, your Council President, the Business and Finance
Commission – no one.
IS MY CONTRIBUTION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes.
St. Timothy is a tax-exempt organization and contributions are
tax-deductible. Of course, the IRS reviews tax deductions and sometimes
requires proof of these deductions. At St. Timothy we provide periodic
and end of calendar year statements of your contributions made by
check, Simply Giving or other electronic bank transfer, credit card,
and any other form of payment that identifies the giver. This would
serve as proof of your contributions.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MY CONTRIBUTIONS BASED ON MY PLEDGE?
There
are myriad options on how you can make your contributions. They can be
weekly, monthly, or annually. You can submit cash, checks, money
orders, credit card, or electronic transfer through your bank (i.e.
Simply Giving). We will provide you more information on these options
in the next couple of weeks by e-mail and an article in the MiniTidings.
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