Stewardship FAQ's

WHY GIVE TO FCC NATICK?

 

Your giving is integral to our Mission Spending Plan (aka budget). Contributions from members and friends are half our annual operating income. We rely on no outside funding sources. Estimates of Giving received by September 19 will help us prepare our 2023 Mission Spending Plan as we separately engage our congregation in Capital Campaign support.

 

WHAT ARE ESTIMATE OF GIVING CARDS?

 

Estimate of Giving cards let us know your church giving intentions for the coming year. This gives you the opportunity to reflect on your giving and helps us anticipate available resources for our ministries and missions.

 

Complete the Estimate of Giving card by filling in your personal information and indicating how much you plan to give – weekly, monthly, or quarterly – for an annual total. Please indicate the method of giving you will be using in 2023 and whether or not you need offering envelopes. Mail your Estimate of Giving card before September 19 in the envelope provided.

 

HOW DO I MAKE MY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS? 

 

COVID-19 has changed how we worship and how we receive contributions. Setting up a regularly scheduled Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your bank is the most efficient and cost-effective way for you to make your contribution. You can also make your contribution online through our website at www.firstchurchnatick.org by clicking on the “Donate” button. This method also allows you to set up automatic payment on a schedule convenient to you by using a credit or debit card. You can offset the cost of a credit card contribution by clicking the box provided on the donation page, adding a processing fee to your transaction but assuring you that all of your donation goes to your intended purpose. You can, of course, mail a check to the church. If you do, you may choose to use offering envelopes. The box of envelopes will cost $4 to mail, so please let us know on the Estimate of Giving card if you’d be willing to pick them up during church office hours (M - Th, 8:30am - 4pm and Friday 8:30am - 2:30pm) in a COVID-safe fashion.

 

 

WHAT IF MY FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES?

 

We know that your financial situation might change during the year. Be assured, you can revise your Estimate of Giving at any time should your circumstances require it. Please email Peg Waters, our Office Administrator, if you need to change your Estimate of Giving or giving schedule. Peg's email address is fccfinance@firstchurchnatick.org.

 

 

DO I NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO PLEDGE?

 

No.

 

WILL I RECEIVE GIVING STATEMENTS?

 

Yes, on a quarterly basis.

 

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO GIVE?

 

If this is your first time making an Estimate of Giving or you’re considering adjusting your giving, here’s some information that might help you decide what the right amount is for you in 2022-23.

 

One approach, rooted in Scripture, is the practice of tithing. The word “tithe” comes from the Old English word for “tenth.” Tithing is the tradition of returning to God’s mission 10% of what God has given us. Some people use tithing as a contribution goal for church giving. Others add all their charitable donations and see tithing as a way to challenge themselves to respond to different situations of need through church and other organizations. Whether we feel giving 10% of our income is inconceivable or the least we can do, our giving decision invites us to focus on the abundance that comes from God. Making an Estimate of Giving stretches us to be more aware of what really matters to us and more alive to the blessings that are right in front of us.

 

As a basis of comparison to other church givers, here’s a graph that shows the number of households that made an Estimate of Giving within a given

range in 2021: