Columbia Heights United Methodist Church Ways of Giving
One of the important
tenants of our Christian discipleship is giving. When we speak our membership
vows we prayerfully say we will support the church with our prayers, presence,
gifts and service.
Financial support of
the church is an act of love. When we give our money to the church we literally
say, "This is no longer my money, it is not the church's money…this is
God's money."
Our giving reaches
beyond paying the current expense bills, which is important, but not the reason
we exist as a church. Our purpose as a church is to offer a space and time to
worship God, to care for each other in times of celebration and times of sorrow
and to reach out to our community and the world, helping to fix the brokenness
we see and responding to need. We offer the love of Christ in mission and
service, both personal and congregational. In these ways, "God's
Money" becomes a tool of life-changing transformation.
Here at Columbia Heights
Church there are several ways you can give:
-
Gifts of cash: Contributions may be made at any time to Columbia Heights
United Methodist Church. Donors may place either check or cash in the
offering plate on Sunday morning, drop a check off at the church office, or
mail a check to the church (see address above.)**
-
Memorial Gifts: Gifts of cash (usually by check) may be made to the
Columbia Heights United Methodist Church Memorial fund in memory of a family
member or friend. Acknowledgement of the donation will be made to the family
of the one remembered. These gifts are not used for current expenses and are
administered by the Board of Trustees.
-
Endowment Fund: The Columbia Heights United Methodist Church Endowment
Fund is the instrument where large gifts of cash, securities, and/or
property-real-estate are received and administered. The gift is held in
perpetuity with only the interest becoming available to the Board of
Trustees for distribution.
-
Real Estate: Gifts of real estate are welcome. After approval by our
Board of Trustees, Finance Committee and Administrative Council, real estate
may be deeded outright to Columbia Heights United Methodist Church, or, if
it is a donor's residence or farm, the property may be given subject to
retained life interests. The value of the interest being contributed may be
used as a charitable contribution for income tax purposes.
-
Securities: Contributions of securities may be easily accomplished. If
the donors' securities have appreciated in value at the time of the gifts,
there may be income tax deductions and other benefits available to the
donor.
-
Wills and Bequests: Designations of bequests should clearly indicate
Columbia Heights United Methodist Church. Bequests under wills may reduce
estate taxes.
-
In-kind Giving: When a donor contributes goods instead of cash it is
called in-kind giving. Giving of products, property, equipment and other
material donations allows the donor to claim them as non-cash charitable
contributions. The estimated value of time contributed is not
tax-deductible.
*Please consult your tax advisor or attorney before making planned giving
decisions.
**All contributions are recorded and reported by our Financial Secretary.
Pledges and actual giving toward the current expenses (day-to-day operations) of
the church are known only to the Financial Secretary and are confidential.
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