Rector’s Update: End of Year Giving at Restoration
Dear Restoration,
As we come to the end of 2020, I am grateful for our church’s faithfulness to God and to each other. We have been challenged in so many ways, yet we have sought the Kingdom and seen moments of redemption. We have built new platforms for worship like our Restoration YouTube Channel and our Zoom room for daily Morning and Evening Prayer. We have connected in-person when we can- we especially love Yards! We gathered for our fall retreat. We ordained 2 new priests. We prayed for 168 hours- a week of unceasing intercession. We have experienced grief and delight; loss and hope. We have kept the faith. I am thankful for you, Restoration Anglican Church.
Many of us pause at this time of the year to consider how we will use our giving dollars and to whom we will be generous. I invite you to include Restoration in those gifts. The vestry and I are grateful for your generous giving during this challenging year. Our financial health remains strong. Currently, we are on target with our projected income and expenses for our current fiscal year. Thank you. We are uncertain about all that 2021 will hold, yet we will continue to trust in God’s provision. I appreciate your sense of anticipation for the work God has for us in the coming season and I look forward to engaging it alongside you.
It is my profound joy to be the rector of Restoration. I love walking with you as we seek to be faithful to the One who is always faithful to us.
Sincerely,
David
The following is a message from our treasurer that provides answers to frequently asked questions about year end gifts to Restoration.
Dear Restoration,
My name is Brad Jones and I serve on the vestry as the treasurer for Restoration Anglican Church. You are a generous church. Because of you, our congregation has been able to support the work of Jesus Christ locally, regionally, and around the world. If you are a member of Restoration, thank you for making an annual financial commitment to our life together. There is no need to disclose the details of that commitment to us. Over the years, God has provided all that we need to do the work to which He calls us, and we are grateful for your faithfulness to Him.
I know that many of us use the end of the year to complete our financial commitments. Would you keep Restoration’s operating budget in mind as you consider the allocation of your year-end giving? And as you think ahead to your regular giving in 2021, we invite you to set up an automatic withdrawal, which can be done by visiting the Church Community Builder (CCB) website.
Below are some answers to questions about giving that we frequently get at this time of year:
Can I give on Christmas Eve during the services on YouTube Live? Absolutely! But, of course, this year is a bit different. Ever since our first Christmas Eve, all of our Christmas Eve financial gifts have been given to an organization outside of Restoration that is doing good and beautiful work for the sake of the vulnerable and those on the margins. We hope people will give generously to support the work of Arlington Bridge Builders, which is a partnership of Arlington churches and Christian organizations that are providing social services, food and rent assistance, and pastoral care to people in need in Arlington County.
We ask you to utilize CCB to allocate your gift directly for 2020, where there will be a drop-down item for Arlington Bridge Builders. This option will become available on CCB on December 24 and stay open until December 31. We are only receiving gifts for Arlington Bridge Builders on-line. We will not collect an offering at our outdoor, in-person Eucharists on Christmas Eve.
The last Sunday to give to the general operating fund of Restoration is December 27, 2020.
How will I receive my annual giving statement? You can download your giving statement directly from CCB. We no longer send them by mail, unless you specifically request it. You will receive an email at the end of January with details about how to get your giving statement from CCB. That email will also have a small report from our rector, The Rev. David Hanke. If you’ve never logged into CCB, just contact Kat Downs, the Director of Operations, and she can help you get a login or a copy of your giving statement.
Where do I find my current giving total? Log into CCB. Look at the upper right corner and find your name and/or picture. Click on your name or picture. Click on the ‘Involvement’ tab under your name and header image, then scroll down to find the ‘Financial’ section. Click the three dots next to the word ‘Financial’ then click ‘Giving Statement’. You can choose your date range. Most giving is recorded by the 20th of the following month, so the statement may not reflect a payment you made within the past month.
What is Church Community Builder (CCB)? It is our online platform for communications and giving. Contact Kat Downs. She can provide you with a username and password.
Can I set up an automatic withdrawal for my giving? You can! Just go to CCB as laid out above. You will find a series of 9 icons on the left side of the screen. The “Give” icon is the 6th one. We would prefer for you to use an ACH draft rather than using your credit card because we are charged a higher fee for the latter.
How do I make a stock contribution? We have specific instructions on how to transfer stock to our brokerage account. Please contact Kat Downs for details.
I have moved. Congratulations! Those are details we would love to know. Would you please login to CCB and update your email and mailing address? While you’re at it, upload a picture for our online directory.
When does Restoration have to receive my gift for it to be counted towards 2020? Your gift must be received or postmarked by December 31. December 27 is the last Sunday for giving in 2020. Remember, if you want to participate in our Christmas Eve offering to Arlington Bridge Builders, please indicate that choice on the giving drop-down menu, which becomes available on Christmas Eve.
Once again, thank you for your generous commitment to the work of Jesus Christ through Restoration and your faithful support over the past year.
In anticipation of Christmas and the Incarnation,
Brad Jones
Restoration Treasurer, on behalf of the Vestry
