Pledging FAQs

Stewardship is our grateful response to God’s generosity. In Creation, God made everything that is, everything that will be, and gave it all to us to harness and steward. Our responsibility is to carry on the Love that inspired this original gift by using our gifts to make the world a better place, to seek and serve God in our neighbor, to work for justice and peace. All of our gifts — time, talent, and treasure — work together to enact and enable the Mission of the Church.

Your pledge is your heartfelt, documented financial commitment to support Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral’s ministries and programs in the year ahead. Pledging is not a commitment that must be followed or we will report you to a collection agency. It is an estimate to the best of your ability of the amount of money that you think you can give to the church. We want people to give from their hearts to GHTC. Whether a member chooses to make a gift through pledge or by other means, every gift matters.

We cannot do our work within the community and the world without the financial support needed to operate the church. Your pledge reinforces the importance of God and Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in your life.

Giving is a deeply scriptural and spiritual practice, rooted in our most ancient traditions. Scripture reminds us to give freely (Matthew 10:8); and to do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16); and that even the smallest gifts matter (Luke 21:1-4). Our traditions remind us that giving alms, giving as we have received, is a part of our commitment to our community of faith and our neighbors.

As with any spiritual practice, it needs … practice! The more we imagine ways to share what we have learned, acquired, received, and understood with our church and the world, the more deeply connected to the original gift of Creation we become.

Your pledge is an act of love and hope for your congregation. It’s a vote of support for the ministry that you offer to your fellow members and your neighbors. It is a way to support the long-term goals and physical needs of your church while supporting your members in the pastoral needs that they have now. Your pledge, or promise, is a commitment to give time, talent, and treasure to your congregation in the year to come.

Paper pledge cards were mailed and additional cards are available in the Cathedral Nave.

You can give online by using the link on our Stewardship Page.

Your pledge is not a debt, and it is not a contract. It is a commitment between your household and the household of God, made with mutual love and respect. We understand that life’s circumstances do change, often unexpectedly. Contact the Cathedral office to have your pledge amount adjusted at any time during the year.

Our lives are intertwined, and your membership in our community runs much more deeply than your ability to make financial gifts. If there are things we can do for you to support you through the circumstances that you encounter, please contact our clergy or pastoral care team.

Your pledge is a personal decision between God, you and your family. It should be grounded in your faith, love and commitment to God’s work through GHTC. It requires reflection, prayer and priority. We need your generous contributions to reach out with our many ministries to meet the needs of our congregation and the community around us. No pledge is too small.

Some members do pay their pledge all at once, some fulfill it weekly, or at other convenient intervals. How you fulfill your financial pledge is up to you and your household budgeting.

There are several convenient ways to honor your pledge. Give with your debit/credit card or banking account (ACH) through our giving platform, Realm. Choose “Fund” for pledge, general fund (plate), flowers, memorial or more.

You can make one-time gifts or setup a recurring donation.

Get more information about ways to give.

Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral’s programs, ministries and outreach is designed to make a difference in the lives of so many in the community. All of this requires financial support. The “routine” expenses of maintaining the physical church are always present. We provide the dedicated staff with fair compensation and benefits packages. Our budget supports the excellent music and worship programs and Christian education for all—especially children and youth. We also support critical outreach programs, both locally and internationally.

Each year, the Budget Committee of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral plans the budget and evaluates each expense in light of the Cathedral’s mission to ”seek and serve Christ in all people, loving our neighbors as ourselves while striving for justice, peace, and respect for every human being. Our worship, prayer, and formation support the restorative strength of our community, reconciling all people to God and one another through Christ.”

We do not publish a list of donors or their amounts, so all pledges are confidential.

Yes. We are glad to accept pre-payments. Please let us know on your pledge card that you plan to pay your pledge in advance or contact Julie Toma so we get it applied to the correct year’s pledge.

One of the ways that Episcopalians participate in church is by making a gift of time, talent, and treasure. As you consider becoming an active member of this community, how would you like to share your gifts? There are so many ways to serve in the liturgy, in our programs, volunteering for groups and work around the church, and making regular financial gifts. All of our members give something of themselves, and we ask that you discern what your offerings might be.

We read in Mark 12: 41-44 about the Widow’s Mite, reminding us that every gift matters when it is made from the heart: “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Wherever you are on your journey of faith you are welcome here. Our community is a welcoming, vibrant one where every member contributes their gifts to support our work. However you choose to show your generosity to this congregation will be appreciated.

Our whole stewardship, the way we give thanks for all the ways in which we have been blessed by God, is comprised of our time, talent, and treasure. All three go into creating a sustainable community focused on its mission to support the faithful and to meet our neighbors where they are with love and joy.

In our community, every dollar goes to mission. Our outreach, our operations, our community and pastoral care are all member-supported ministries. Our budget and our narrative budget describe how we share our resources with our neighbors.

All gifts to the operating fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. We are a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN 44-0552053.

It is our practice to send out regular giving statements. Pledge statements are issued quarterly. A year-end statement for tax purposes are sent in January. You can also see your statement anytime by logging into Realm.

Your gift to church represents your household. While you may designate special offerings, flowers, or other honorary gifts throughout the year, your pledge is considered a gift to God from you and your family.