STEWARDSHIP
Make your pledge to the Rehoboth Congregational Church for the 2023 year!
A LETTER FROM RCC LEADERSHIP
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Welcome to Stewardship 2022!
Grace and peace, members and friends of the Rehoboth Congregational Church,
It is Stewardship time at our beloved Rehoboth Congregational Church. It is that time of year when we reach out to you, the heart and soul of our organization, and ask you to make a monetary pledge to support our Church In The Village, in order that, together, we may continue to carry out God’s Work through Our Hands.
While some things have changed in the recent past, one thing has remained the same: our Mission.
Building community in God’s love and serving as the Body of Christ within and beyond our congregation through worship, education, outreach and mutual support.
Your stewardship pledge is vital in order for us to continue this mission.
For more than 300 years, the Rehoboth Congregational Church has been worshipping together on Sunday mornings; has been marrying happy couples; has been baptizing children into the family of God; has been teaching our little ones in Sunday School; has been engaging our young adults in order to provide them Christian guidance; has been working with our own community organizations and those in surrounding cities and towns.
Our Fellowship Hall is a meeting and gathering place for many community groups and scouting organizations. The American Red Cross holds blood drives here several times a year. The Rehoboth Ambulance Committee holds first aid and CPR certification training here.
When Rehoboth families need a church for a loved one’s funeral service, and they are not affiliated with any church, they choose RCC, because we are the town church.
The Rehoboth Congregational Church is the very fabric of our community.
Your stewardship pledge makes all of this, and so much more, possible. Without your pledge, our mission will suffer.
We have set a goal of $160,000 in pledges for 2023. Although prices for just about everything have risen sharply, we are confident that with careful and watchful administration of our budget, we will continue to be God’s hands through the next year.
We invite you now to prayerfully consider your level of giving for 2023.
This year’s pledge form includes a section for electronic giving – there is no separate form. If
you already use electronic giving, or would like to sign up for the first time, please fill out that section of the pledge form. If you do not plan on using electronic giving, please indicate that you will be participating in non-electronic giving on the form.
We kindly ask that you return your pledge form by Sunday, October 30th . If you would like to
submit your pledge online, you can do so on our website:
www.rehobothcongregational.org/pledge.
Wishing you the grace and peace of our Lord,
Jodi Durette, Board of Deacons Chair
Melissa Enos, Executive Board Chair
Grace and peace, members and friends of the Rehoboth Congregational Church,
It is Stewardship time at our beloved Rehoboth Congregational Church. It is that time of year when we reach out to you, the heart and soul of our organization, and ask you to make a monetary pledge to support our Church In The Village, in order that, together, we may continue to carry out God’s Work through Our Hands.
While some things have changed in the recent past, one thing has remained the same: our Mission.
Building community in God’s love and serving as the Body of Christ within and beyond our congregation through worship, education, outreach and mutual support.
Your stewardship pledge is vital in order for us to continue this mission.
For more than 300 years, the Rehoboth Congregational Church has been worshipping together on Sunday mornings; has been marrying happy couples; has been baptizing children into the family of God; has been teaching our little ones in Sunday School; has been engaging our young adults in order to provide them Christian guidance; has been working with our own community organizations and those in surrounding cities and towns.
Our Fellowship Hall is a meeting and gathering place for many community groups and scouting organizations. The American Red Cross holds blood drives here several times a year. The Rehoboth Ambulance Committee holds first aid and CPR certification training here.
When Rehoboth families need a church for a loved one’s funeral service, and they are not affiliated with any church, they choose RCC, because we are the town church.
The Rehoboth Congregational Church is the very fabric of our community.
Your stewardship pledge makes all of this, and so much more, possible. Without your pledge, our mission will suffer.
We have set a goal of $160,000 in pledges for 2023. Although prices for just about everything have risen sharply, we are confident that with careful and watchful administration of our budget, we will continue to be God’s hands through the next year.
We invite you now to prayerfully consider your level of giving for 2023.
This year’s pledge form includes a section for electronic giving – there is no separate form. If
you already use electronic giving, or would like to sign up for the first time, please fill out that section of the pledge form. If you do not plan on using electronic giving, please indicate that you will be participating in non-electronic giving on the form.
We kindly ask that you return your pledge form by Sunday, October 30th . If you would like to
submit your pledge online, you can do so on our website:
www.rehobothcongregational.org/pledge.
Wishing you the grace and peace of our Lord,
Jodi Durette, Board of Deacons Chair
Melissa Enos, Executive Board Chair
RCC MONEY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ever been curious how RCC raises and spends money?
Hopefully the answers to your questions can be found here!
Hopefully the answers to your questions can be found here!
FINANCIAL OFFICERS
While the Executive Board recommends a budget to the congregation for approval and oversees spending throughout the year, we do have Financial Officers that are responsible for handling the day-to-day fiscal responsibilities at the church.
Chief Financial Officer – cfo@rehobothcongregational.org
The Chief Financial Officer oversees all our accounts, investments, and budgets. If you have any general questions about the budget or our finances, contact our CFO!
Financial Secretary – Holly DaSilva – financialsecretary@rehobothcongregational.org
The Financial Secretary is responsible for deposits. If you have any questions about the status of your pledge, setting up electronic giving or anything else regarding monetary donations to the church, contact Holly!
Treasurer – Jane Williams – treasurer@rehobothcongregational.org
The Treasurer is responsible for paying bills, submitting payroll, reimbursements and providing budget balances. If you have a question about reimbursement checks or your committee's budget balance, contact Jane!
While the Executive Board recommends a budget to the congregation for approval and oversees spending throughout the year, we do have Financial Officers that are responsible for handling the day-to-day fiscal responsibilities at the church.
Chief Financial Officer – cfo@rehobothcongregational.org
The Chief Financial Officer oversees all our accounts, investments, and budgets. If you have any general questions about the budget or our finances, contact our CFO!
Financial Secretary – Holly DaSilva – financialsecretary@rehobothcongregational.org
The Financial Secretary is responsible for deposits. If you have any questions about the status of your pledge, setting up electronic giving or anything else regarding monetary donations to the church, contact Holly!
Treasurer – Jane Williams – treasurer@rehobothcongregational.org
The Treasurer is responsible for paying bills, submitting payroll, reimbursements and providing budget balances. If you have a question about reimbursement checks or your committee's budget balance, contact Jane!
INCOME FAQS
RCC must have bills, like any other business or household. Where does the money come from to pay those bills? Most of the necessary income for our operating expenses come from pledges through stewardship campaigns, just like this one! Approximately 70% of the income for our operating budget comes from pledges, gifts and other offerings from individuals and families. The rest of the income for our operating budget comes from miscellaneous donations, fundraising and the bazaar, building usage and investments. The proceeds from the sale of the parsonage in 2018 went into an investment fund and we receive a monthly allowance that provides half of the Pastor's housing allowance. The other half comes from money re-allocated from previously budgeted parsonage expenses.
What is RCC’s fiscal year? We operate on a January-December fiscal year. Budgets for the following year are prepared in the fall and voted on by our members at our annual meeting in December.
Does the church have an endowment that can help with some of its bills? Yes; the church does have an several investments that yield income annually. But, due to restrictions that were put in place when the money was donated, most of the income is not accessible for use in our operating budget. The money is used in other areas of the church – some examples include building projects, scholarships, mission donations and special music. We do get a small amount of money (approximately $10,000 annually) that can be used in the operating budget from the Elsie Carpenter Endowment.
Does RCC receive financial support from a national or regional church or denomination? No; the national and regional United Church of Christ organizations provide certain non-financial resources to RCC, but no financial support. RCC pays a small amount to both national and regional United Church of Christ organizations to support their operations.
RCC must have bills, like any other business or household. Where does the money come from to pay those bills? Most of the necessary income for our operating expenses come from pledges through stewardship campaigns, just like this one! Approximately 70% of the income for our operating budget comes from pledges, gifts and other offerings from individuals and families. The rest of the income for our operating budget comes from miscellaneous donations, fundraising and the bazaar, building usage and investments. The proceeds from the sale of the parsonage in 2018 went into an investment fund and we receive a monthly allowance that provides half of the Pastor's housing allowance. The other half comes from money re-allocated from previously budgeted parsonage expenses.
What is RCC’s fiscal year? We operate on a January-December fiscal year. Budgets for the following year are prepared in the fall and voted on by our members at our annual meeting in December.
Does the church have an endowment that can help with some of its bills? Yes; the church does have an several investments that yield income annually. But, due to restrictions that were put in place when the money was donated, most of the income is not accessible for use in our operating budget. The money is used in other areas of the church – some examples include building projects, scholarships, mission donations and special music. We do get a small amount of money (approximately $10,000 annually) that can be used in the operating budget from the Elsie Carpenter Endowment.
Does RCC receive financial support from a national or regional church or denomination? No; the national and regional United Church of Christ organizations provide certain non-financial resources to RCC, but no financial support. RCC pays a small amount to both national and regional United Church of Christ organizations to support their operations.
PLEDGING FAQS
I donate on a regular basis. Why is it important that I pledge? Pledges are crucial to the budgeting process at our church. Over 50% of the income for our operating budget comes directly from income pledged during our stewardship campaign, so we need this number to be as accurate as possible.
Does my pledge amount or donation affect my standing at RCC? No; neither membership nor opportunities to serve are contingent on you pledging a certain amount.
How much should I pledge? Is there a specific amount required or recommended percentage of income? We ask members and friends to be generous with their pledges, considering the value of RCC and the importance of its mission, along with how much they can give. There is not a required amount or percentage of income.
Is my pledge an enforceable contract? What if I am uncertain about the future and am reluctant to pledge? Your pledge is not an enforceable contract. While we ask that all pledges reflect a real intent to donate, if you have a change in circumstance throughout the year, you can change your pledge at any time during the year by contacting Holly DaSilva, our Financial Secretary.
If I make a pledge, how often do I have to donate? It depends on what works best for you. Some people choose to make one payment annually and others donate weekly or monthly. If you would like weekly envelopes, please indicate that on your pledge form!
Can I submit a one-time gift or prepay my pledge (i.e. donate money before December 31, 2022 for tax or other reason but have it apply towards the 2023 budget)? Yes, but please fill out a pledge card so we will be directed to apply your donation towards the 2023 budget. For individual tax purposes, all checks mailed before the end of 2022 WILL be deposited before the year-end!
I donate on a regular basis. Why is it important that I pledge? Pledges are crucial to the budgeting process at our church. Over 50% of the income for our operating budget comes directly from income pledged during our stewardship campaign, so we need this number to be as accurate as possible.
Does my pledge amount or donation affect my standing at RCC? No; neither membership nor opportunities to serve are contingent on you pledging a certain amount.
How much should I pledge? Is there a specific amount required or recommended percentage of income? We ask members and friends to be generous with their pledges, considering the value of RCC and the importance of its mission, along with how much they can give. There is not a required amount or percentage of income.
Is my pledge an enforceable contract? What if I am uncertain about the future and am reluctant to pledge? Your pledge is not an enforceable contract. While we ask that all pledges reflect a real intent to donate, if you have a change in circumstance throughout the year, you can change your pledge at any time during the year by contacting Holly DaSilva, our Financial Secretary.
If I make a pledge, how often do I have to donate? It depends on what works best for you. Some people choose to make one payment annually and others donate weekly or monthly. If you would like weekly envelopes, please indicate that on your pledge form!
Can I submit a one-time gift or prepay my pledge (i.e. donate money before December 31, 2022 for tax or other reason but have it apply towards the 2023 budget)? Yes, but please fill out a pledge card so we will be directed to apply your donation towards the 2023 budget. For individual tax purposes, all checks mailed before the end of 2022 WILL be deposited before the year-end!
ELECTRONIC GIVING FAQS
I am so bad at writing checks! Is there any way I can set up automatic donations? Yes! Many of our members utilize and enjoy the convenience of electronic giving through Breeze. Breeze is a church management software that we transitioned to that includes an option for electronic giving. With Breeze, your bank information is safe and secure. If you are interested in signing up for electronic giving, please fill out the necessary information on your pledge card and include a voided check when you submit it.
I already give electronically. Do I need to fill out a new electronic giving authorization form? Yes; sorry we know that’s a pain!
I am so bad at writing checks! Is there any way I can set up automatic donations? Yes! Many of our members utilize and enjoy the convenience of electronic giving through Breeze. Breeze is a church management software that we transitioned to that includes an option for electronic giving. With Breeze, your bank information is safe and secure. If you are interested in signing up for electronic giving, please fill out the necessary information on your pledge card and include a voided check when you submit it.
I already give electronically. Do I need to fill out a new electronic giving authorization form? Yes; sorry we know that’s a pain!
READY TO PLEDGE FAQS
I am ready to pledge! What do I have to do next? Great! Either fill out the pledge form linked below or download a paper version here and mail is back to the church office (Rehoboth Congregational Church • P.O. Box 325 • Rehoboth, MA 02769) OR fill out this online pledge form which can be found by visiting our website: rehobothcongregational.org/pledge.
When are pledge forms due back? Please return pledge forms by Sunday, October 30, 2022.
I am ready to pledge! What do I have to do next? Great! Either fill out the pledge form linked below or download a paper version here and mail is back to the church office (Rehoboth Congregational Church • P.O. Box 325 • Rehoboth, MA 02769) OR fill out this online pledge form which can be found by visiting our website: rehobothcongregational.org/pledge.
When are pledge forms due back? Please return pledge forms by Sunday, October 30, 2022.