Giving
Thank you for your support to the Cathedral of the Rockies. Because of your financial support and generosity, you have planted the seeds that will enable us to grow in our community, and provide a church home for you and others. Thank you for answering the call to contribute to God’s work. Download Pledge Card.
Operating 2013 |
Debt Elimination |
Stewardship |
Local Missions |
Operating or Ministry Budget
This is the primary source of funding for First United Methodist Church. It covers strategic outreach to Boise and around the world, as well as providing our day to day ministries, worship, staff salaries and operations of the church. It relies 100% on your giving.
The Christian Path – Tithing
John Wesley, Founder of the Methodist movement, offered three pieces of practical stewardship advice: Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. Because of all that God has given us, we are called to share God’s joy with others, especially the poor. Giving to the church enables all of us as Christ’s body to serve those within and those outside the church.
Beyond being able to help others through our gifts, giving is an act of faithful discipleship. The more generously we give, the more our hearts are opened to God, the more we grow in our faith. The standard for our giving is the tithe, 10% of our income. Each year we strive to step closer to this goal. Tithing allows every person to contribute and participate equally in supporting the ministries of the Cathedral.
Ways to Give
Cash, checks, automatic withdrawal, credit cards.
You may choose to give weekly with a check or cash that you bring or mail to the church. You may prefer to have an automatic withdrawal made from your checking or credit card account. Complete the form and leave it at the Hospitality Desk. For withdrawals from the bank, include a void check from your account.
Gifts other than cash and checks
You may give stocks, mutual funds, bonds, insurance, real estate, jewelry, and other personal property. Often the donor can realize a tax benefit. Contact our business office at 208.343.7511.
Gifts through estate planning
Estate planning allows you to leave a legacy for your children, grandchildren, and ongoing ministry of First United Methodist Church. You may give through insurance, wills, trusts, charitable gift annuities, retirement accounts and life estates. Contact our business office at 208.343.7511 or email Tona Echeita.
Legacy Fund
Please visit CathedralLegacy.org for our Legacy Fund information.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a pledge?
A pledge is a promise to give a specified amount of money during the upcoming year to support the ministries of the church.
2. I give to the church when I can. Why should I pledge?
Pledging is an important step in our journey of faith. A pledge is a promise to God to support the church and its ministries. Upon joining the church, each of us committed to support the church with our time, our talents, our prayers and our money. Pledging provides the opportunity to reflect on your financial support and set a goal for the upcoming year.
The second reason is the importance in planning the Operating Budget. Only 60% of contribution giving comes from pledges. The remaining 40% comes from non-pledged contributions which, although they are gratefully received, are unpredictable and therefore difficult to estimate for budgeting purposes. Without a clear idea of how much the congregation intends to give, church staff must guess on how much will be received. If the amount of giving is overestimated, then the church may incur deficit spending.
3. How much should I pledge?
There is much scriptural guidance on how much you should give. Deuteronomy 16:1 states that you should tithe (i.e. give 10% of your income). However, 2 Corinthians 9:7 states: “Each of you must give as you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion.” The amount you pledge is between you and God and should be determined through prayer and reflection.
4. How are my contributions spent?
Your contributions to the Operating Budget support the general operations of the church including staff salaries and benefits, conference giving, costs of the various church ministries, worship services, utilities, administration, and any other costs associated with running the church.
5. Will any of my pledge to the Operating Budget be used to pay off the church mortgage?
No. A separate Count Your Blessings campaign is currently underway to eliminate the debt. However, interest on this mortgage is part of the Operating Budget until the CYB Campaign is completed in 2013.
6. I have had to reduce spending recently to make ends meet. What is the church doing to contain costs during these difficult times?
The church budget has grown by less than 2% annually over the past three years despite increases in operating costs, attendance and membership, and growth of ministry programs. Some steps taken to reduce spending include no staff pay increases for 3 years and reducing the extent of the Good News publication.
7. Can I review the church’s financial statements?
Yes, copies of the monthly financial statements are available at the Hospitality Desk for anyone who wants to review them.
8. How do I submit my pledge?
Simply complete a pledge card and drop it in the collection plate at worship service, mail it to the church, or drop it off at the Hospitality Desk. If your pledge is paid by credit card or EFT, you can submit changes by turning in a new pledge card or calling the church accounting office.
9. What if something happens that will prevent me from meeting my pledge?
If circumstances change during the year that would affect your giving, you can call the church accounting office and change your pledge.
10. If giving is an act of faith, why do I receive a bi-monthly “bill” from the church?
The church started sending statements a few years ago in response to requests from individuals about how much they have given during the year. It was designed to be a convenience to the congregation, provide proof of your contribution, and serve as an accounting control to assure your gift was applied in accordance with your wishes. You may choose to not receive statements by calling the church accounting office.
11. Who knows how much I am giving to the church?
This information is kept in the utmost confidentiality. Only authorized staff members in the church’s accounting department see the pledges and amounts given by individuals.
12. What if I have additional questions?
If you have questions at any time, feel free to call the church accounting office during business hours (Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) or email Tona Echeita. They will be happy to assist you.
