1. What is “Electronic Giving” and how will this service be provided?

Trinity United Methodist Church is now offering “electronic giving.”  This gives our parishioners the option of paying via electronic funds transfer (EFT) instead of the traditional envelope system.

The parishioner authorizes the church to receive funds directly from their bank account.  The parishioner decides the frequency (weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) and the dollar amount to be transferred.

Trinity United Methodist Church has entered into an agreement with Vanco Services, LLC, a financial services company, to provide these electronic giving services.

Vanco has been working with the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of the United Methodist church.  Vanco currently provides services to over 8,500 churches nationwide.

Please note:  This same process (EFT) is used by the Social Security Administration to send payments to social security recipients.

2. What choice of frequency do parishioners have?

Each parishioner may choose to give monthly on the 1^st of each month; semi-monthly on the 1^st and 15^th of each month; or weekly on Mondays.

The parishioner may choose a different frequency for each fund.

3. What choice of funds do parishioners have?

General/Operating:  The money in this fund is used for general operating expenses.  This is the amount pledged by parishioners.

Pastor’s Discretionary Fund:  The money in this fund is distributed at the Pastors’ discretion.  For instance, it can be used for emergency requests such as someone is unable to pay a utility bill or someone needs help buying groceries.

Currently, donations are collected each month on Communion Sunday for this fund.

Project ECHO:  The donations to this fund are sent to our local homeless shelter.

Food Pantry:  The local food pantry receives these donations to help feed the less fortunate in our area.

Building:  Money in this fund is used for Capital Improvements.

Please note:  Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas offerings are not set up via the “electronic giving” program, so please continue to use your envelopes for these holidays.

4. How does the church benefit by receiving donations electronically?

Some benefits to the church receiving donations electronically are as follows:

• Promotes consistent giving (steady cash flow)
• There are fewer checks to process
• More efficient bookkeeping

5. What is the cost to the parishioner, and what are the benefits to the parishioner to give electronically?

There is no cost to the parishioner; however, their bank may charge a fee for insufficient funds should this occur.

Some benefits to parishioners include the following:

Fewer checks to write

Encourages parishioners to plan their giving

Encourages parishioners to implement their plan faithfully

6. Will the parishioner still receive a statement of contributions?

Yes, semi-annual statements will be processed as they are now.  Contributions will still be tracked using the parishioner’s “envelope number.”

7. Will the parishioners have anything to put in the offering plates?

Yes, if desired, parishioners may continue to place their envelopes in the offering plates.  Please mark them “Electronic Giving” or “EFT” so our counters know not to expect cash or a check in the envelope.

8. I have decided to become part of the “Electronic Giving” program.  How will I know when my donations will start being transferred to the church?

It may take up to two weeks for us to process an “Authorization Form”.  Once this is done, there is a lag time of two business days before a transaction can occur.

We will send the parishioner notification when to expect the transfers to begin.

9. Not all church funds are included on the “Authorization Form”, may parishioners still give to these?

If a fund is not set up electronically, please continue to contribute via check or cash.  Please be sure to indicate the “envelope number”  on the check and/or envelope and the fund to which it is being donated.

Please note:  We may change the funds offered on the “Authorization Form” in the future; if this is the case, we will be sure to notify all parishioners.

10. How do parishioners sign up for “Electronic Giving”?

The Authorization Forms for Electronic Giving are located on the table located in the hallway just outside the church office.  Please use the envelopes provided with the mailing address stating “Confidential—to be opened by Financial Secretary.”  Either mail in the completed form or put it in the mailbox (located by the Pastors’ offices) marked “Financial Secretary.” 

Please note:  The Financial Secretary will continue to ensure confidentiality of each parishioner’s information.

11. How does a parishioner discontinue Electronic Giving or make a change?

The same Authorization Forms in which parishioners sign up are used to make changes or to discontinue Electronic Giving.  Once again, remember that it may take up to two weeks to make the change, and notification will be sent.

12. What if I have more questions?

Please call our Financial Secretary Sharon Godfrey at (410) 535-1782.