Giving

As Christians, we strive to be faithful and generous stewards of the gifts God has given us. God invites us to give our lives away, both to create a more just and peaceful world, and to transform our own hearts and minds. As a community, we live out this invitation through ministries which both proclaim and embody the compassionate, challenging, inclusive love of God we encounter in Jesus.

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Why Give?

The church’s budget relies entirely on donations. This means your giving makes everything possible, from keeping the lights on so that Midweek Meals and programming can happen, to providing staff salaries, and buying Sunday School supplies. But another reason we give – and the one Jesus talked about most – is to change us. Jesus talked about money pretty often, and when he did, he encouraged people to be generous because that generosity would transform them. Have you ever had the experience of giving, only to realize that you felt just as good as the person who received the gift? That’s what generosity does – it changes us.

How much do people give?

At Holy Spirit, the average household gives about $2,400 per year, or $200 per month. Some give more; some less. But giving is a personal decision. The most important thing is this: every gift matters; not just to the church’s budget, but to our own spiritual lives. Some people use tithing – giving 10% – as their goal. Others try to increase their giving a bit at a time. Many give time in addition to money. There is no required number, only an invitation to practice regular giving both to support the church’s ministries and to practice generosity.

How can I give?

Many members and friends of HSLC use automated giving, which automatically deducts an amount of your choice from an account of your choice on a regular basis. You can set up automated giving here, and if you have questions about it, you can talk with Parish Administrator Marjorie Buchanan. You can also request offering envelopes to place a gift in the offering plate. You can make one-time gifts or start ongoing gifts at any time during the year. Other ways to give include:

• Gifts of stock or mutual funds

• Directly donating part of your IRA Required Minimum Distribution (if you are 73 or older)

• Including HSLC in your will or estate planning

• Monthly check from your banking bill pay

Can I give to specific projects?

Yes, you can. Holy Spirit has several accounts to support specific ongoing projects, such as housing, scholarships for youth events, building improvements, and the HSLC Caring Fund which provides temporary financial support for basic needs to HSLC members, regular attendees, and the wider community in times of hardship or crisis. However, we strongly encourage giving to the regular budget first, as this makes it possible for the church to be flexible and make sure immediate needs are met.

Will my employer match my giving?

Good question! Yes and no. Most employers will not match giving to a church’s general budget. However, several of Holy Spirit’s outward-focused funds are eligible for matching, including the Housing Assistance Program, Ministry in the World, and Children and Family Outreach. Some companies will even match some or all of your volunteer time with a financial donation, usually based upon your reported volunteer hours - contact your employer. To find out more about employee-matching, talk with Marjorie Buchanan.

What happens to my giving?

Every year, the congregation adopts a budget at its annual meeting in June. The fiscal year starts July 1 and runs through June 30 of the following year. Each month, the church council meets and includes a discussion of giving trends and budget needs. The council works within the budget adopted by the congregation.

If someone gives a large undesignated financial gift, Holy Spirit has a gift policy in place to guide the expenditure of that money. A copy of the gift policy is available through the church office.