Q: What does it mean to make a pledge?

A: Faithful stewardship is a commitment to manage one’s time, talents, or money as an expression of faith and a personal response to God’s generosity. An annual pledge represents a monetary commitment to help Grace to fund ministry and church operations, based in the faith that guides your stewardship of all your resources. A pledge is a statement of intent, not a legal obligation. It can be changed at any time.

Q: How do people decide on how much to pledge?

A: Pledging is a personal or family decision and many factors can go into deciding how much to pledge. At Grace, we encourage parishioners to consider their pledge as a percentage of their income, rather than as a fixed amount for all. Those who have higher incomes are able to and expected to pledge higher amounts. An advantage of committing a percentage of income is that this approach has the flexibility to naturally adapt as our incomes change over time.

Q: How does Grace use the funds derived from Annual Pledges?

A: Annual pledges provide the funds necessary to keep Grace operational from day-to-day all year round. They pay for the clergy and staff who lead our worship services, who provide inspiration and leadership for teaching, and who calm our troubled souls through beautiful music. Funds pay for maintaining the building in comfort with heat, A/C, and light. Funds pay for the materials and technology needed to support all of our ministries. And, a portion of our budget also goes to the Benevolence Committee to contribute to the works of mission and ministry they lead us in. All pledges are greatly appreciated and funds are carefully spent with oversight from the Vestry.

Q: Do I receive a statement?

A: Yes, you will receive periodic statements of your contributions during the course of the year, both for your tax records and to confirm the accuracy of our records.

Q: How do I pay my pledge?

There are many ways to pay a pledge. The most common are a check by mail, electronic transfer online, or by using cash or check placed in the offering plate in person. Gifts through Appreciated Securities, Donor Advised Funds, or Qualified Charitable Distributions are also options, and these may provide tax advantages for the donor. Please contact the church office for further information, as needed, for your specific situation. You can also give online, by clicking the "Giving" button above.