Pledge to Give
If you are a member of our church, you should receive a pledge card in the mail. We ask that you would prayerfully consider making a pledge to give this year. If for some reason you do not receive a pledge card and would like to make a pledge, download a printable copy below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever we talk about money, we want to be as transparent as possible. We hope the following answers to frequently asked questions will shed some light on the pledging process and provide helpful guidance for next steps.
What is pledging?
A pledge is a commitment to give one’s time, talent, and treasure (money) to the church, as a way of giving back to the church and to God. Parish members reflect on what they feel they can contribute over the upcoming year, and tell the church their plan. From this, the church creates its budget and plans for the year, knowing what the approximate income will be. A pledge is a statement of intent, and can be changed at any time.
What is the difference between pledging and giving?
Giving is the act of contributing to the church, by using the “donate” button on the website, dropping money into the plate, or donating to a specific ministry or action the church is undertaking. Pledging is an estimation of what you plan on giving over the upcoming year to support the operations of the church.
Why do people pledge?
People pledge for all sorts of reasons, but the main one is that they support the work and ministry of the church and want to give back! If you feel like you can’t contribute much financially, gifts of time and talent are equally valuable. If you are already giving regularly to the plate on Sundays, a pledge is a way of formally estimating how much you are already contributing.
How do I make a pledge?
You should be receiving a pledge card. If one has not been sent to you, you can pick one up at church, or download one here! All you need to do is fill it out and return it to the church office.
How much should I pledge?
Traditionally, the Biblical practice of “tithing” is to give one tenth of your income back to the church. In practice, every family and individual has a unique financial and spiritual situation, so you need to reflect deeply on what PJs means to you as well as to the larger community, and how much you are willing to give!
What happens if I make a formal pledge and then can’t fulfill my pledge commitment?
Unforeseen things happen, and the church understands that a pledge is only a statement of intent. If changes in your life mean that you can no longer give as you pledged, we understand! Your church family has your back during difficulties, and please do not be ashamed if you can’t make your pledge as you thought you could. Please never hesitate to reach out to the rector for help and support through dark times, whether it’s about a pledge adjustment or anything else. Conversely, you’re always welcome to give more than you pledged if things are looking brighter!
How do I make pledge payments?
People make pledge payments all sorts of ways, and in different intervals. You can indicate how you intend to make your pledge on your pledge card. Common ways are by dropping off a check in the plate or the church office (made out to “The Church of St. Paul and St. James” with “Pledge” in the memo line), or through our online “Donate” button (clicking the box where it says “this is a pledge contribution”). It is helpful to the church if you pay in certain intervals so that we are able to pay our expenses throughout the year.
How does the church keep track of pledges?
The church keeps track of pledges through the Church Windows program. Every amount of money given to PJs, pledge or not is entered weekly into this database by our hardworking treasurer. We can then total how much has been given as pledges, or gifts, or money in the plate, and if the money has been given for a certain cause – e.g. flowers, music, backpacks.
Do you still have some questions? Contact us today and let us know how we can help.
Ready to Give?
Interact with the window below to donate your gifts accordingly. If you would like to set up your automatic monthly payments, click the tab that says "Monthly" and follow the instructions. You may cancel your monthly payments at any time.