Simply Giving®
The Simply Giving® Program endorsed by Thrivent Financial Bank is an automated giving program run by Vanco Services, LLC. It’s designed to help you conveniently, consistently, and joyfully give financial gifts to our congregation’s ministry. By participating in Simply Giving®, you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly or monthly offerings to our congregation. For application form see bottom of the page.
General Questions Frequently Asked About Simply Giving®
1. Are there any charges for individuals to participate in Simply Giving®?
No. All transaction fees are paid by the church.
2. How can funds be withdrawn directly from a participant’s bank
account?
Account withdrawals are made only with prior authorization from the participant. No funds will be withdrawn unless the participant specifically authorizes the transaction to occur.
3. When would the automatic contribution be taken from the participant’s
bank account?
Participants can specify whether they want contributions made:
Weekly on Monday
Monthly on the 1st
Semi-monthly on the 1st and 15th
4. Are electronic contributions risky?
No. An electronic contribution is safer than writing a check, and it can’t be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail.
5. How do participants keep a record of the amounts they have contributed?
The participant’s bank statement will include an itemized list of all EFT’s from their account. In addition, we will include each Simply Giving® transaction on the offering statement sent to you every three months.
6. How do church members participate in the weekly offering?
A supply of Simply Giving® stickers will be provided to each member who participates. These stickers can be affixed to the offering envelope and then placed in the offering plate.
7. Can church members use Simply Giving® to make contributions
to multiple funds such as Regular Offering, Building Fund, or a church sanctioned
local benevolence?
Yes. Members use the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form to designate applications to funds of their choice. To ensure accurate accounting of gifts to multiple funds, specific instructions for completing the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form will be provided to the member by Our Redeemer.
8. Is it necessary to have participants fill in bank account and routing
information since that data is already included on their attached check
or deposit slip?
It is not technically necessary, but it is recommended because it serves as back-up in the event the voided check or deposit slip becomes detached from the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form.
9. Who sees the information on the Member Enrollment and Authorization Forms?
The Member Enrollment and Authorization Forms are seen by our Financial Secretary as well as by the Vanco Services, LLC, employees who process them. (Vanco Services, LLC, employees are bonded and have signed confidentiality agreements.) In addition, participant name and address information may be provided to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Participant information will not be shared with any other organizations.
10. If participants have a joint signature account, do both parties need
to sign the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form?
No. Only one signature is required.
11. How do participants change the amount of their contribution or change
the account from which their donation is made?
Participants can change the amount or account from which it is made by completing a new authorization form and returning it to the church office or give to Financial Secretary. The appropriate “Change in Authorization Amount” or “Change in Account” field must be checked.
12. How do I sign up?
Simply click here and print out your own formOr see Karen Keenan our Financial Secretary most Sundays between services in the church office and ask her for a form.
Or call the church office 393-5031 or use the E-mail link below and ask Betsy to send you an enrollment form.
Once it is completed and returned, Karen will inform you of the start date.
