Sharing one’s resources to strengthen communities in which we live, from local to global, is a core value of Christian faith. The UCCH congregation is remarkable in its commitment to the Christian discipline of stewardship.

Our members are generous in giving to and through the church. Stewardship serves our own church community, enabling us to engage in spirited worship, music, fellowship, learning and healing. It also allows us to serve others. More than a tenth, a tithe, of the church’s budget is devoted to outreach and service. Church members donate even more to individuals, programs and organizations through special offerings that are independent of the church budget.

During the Offering in our worship service, we are called to "offer ourselves and our gifts to God." Both offerings are important. We may share a special talent to enhance worship . . . bring a casserole for the Shelter . . . teach a church school class . . . or contribute money for mission.

Giving & Pledging: FAQ’s

Why should I give?

There is a reason that Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic. We let money more than anything else define us and have power over us. Giving is actually a counterpoint to and a liberation from our money-dominated, consumer-oriented culture. Giving is also an investment in the future reign of God. People tend to watch their investments closely, turning every morning to the stock market reports to see if their investments went up or down. So it is with investing in God’s reign. You begin to look for signs of dividends in yourself, in your church household, in the mending of creation itself. Giving is a way you participate in a church community striving to live in such a way that the reign of God becomes real in each of us and extended to others through us. Giving is also a joy. In giving you are making holy the rest of your life. By structuring your life to make possible gifts to assist people, to give hope, to teach about God’s love, to nurture people in living peaceful lives, your life is gifted with direction and purpose. Such is grace.

I give every Sunday during worship; why pledge?

Pledging (or estimating your giving) allows your church community to plan for our common life. There will always be an opportunity for spontaneous, spirit-led, and heart-felt giving; however, estimating your giving for the year allows for the church to plan the extent of its mission and ministry - can we do what we have been called by God to do? Pledges become a touchstone either indicating we can go ahead or we need to rethink what we are doing. As Jesus said, “Who among you would begin to build a tower and not determine the cost?”

How do I pledge?

In the fall, pledge cards are made available to everyone who is a member or regular attender at worship through neighborhood gatherings, through the mail and at church. This year (2009) people are asked to offer their pledges on or before Stewardship Sunday. You may pledge to give a set amount every week or month, or you may determine an annual amount that you estimate you will give in a pattern to be decided by you.

Is there an amount that I am supposed to pledge?

In a healthy household, everyone participates as they are able. Just as you have guidelines in your personal household so that everyone knows when they are needed and everyone participates as they are able, the church also has guidelines. Percentage giving is a guideline that encourages everyone to participate while assuring each that the amount given does not have to be equal for everyone to participate equally. The goal in scripture is 10% of income or a tithe. Another way to determine your giving is to determine a percentage of your income that your feel you are able to share with the household of faith for its common life and ministry. As time goes on, you may want to be challenged to grow in giving by increasing that percentage.