Financial Support of First Parish

Generosity:  an essential aspect of the life of this church

Frequently Asked Questions

• I've only been attending services at First Parish for a short time and already you are asking me for money?
• Why should I pledge if I put money in the collection plate whenever I come to church?
• What about volunteering in lieu of funds?
• How do I pay a pledge?
• I don't know how much is appropriate. Can you explain this to me?
• What will my pledge go towards?
• How can I change my automatic electronic transfer amount when I change my pledge for the new year, or if I stop pledging?
• What if my financial circumstances change during the year and I can't keep up with my pledge?
• I am ready to pledge. What now?
• Where can I get answers to my other concerns and questions about pledging?

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Generosity:  an essential aspect of the life of this church

First Parish is a place for spiritual practice, exploration, and growth, and a community that nurtures multiple journeys of spirituality and social justice, rather than a set doctrine with a fixed path. It is an inclusive network of fellowship, friendship, and support in times of joy and need.

First Parish is also a building and grounds requiring heat, electricity, cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. And, it is a vibrant team of two ministers and religious education, music, and administrative staff, working together with organized volunteers to sustain our very special church community.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer some common questions newcomers ask about money and provide a guide to generous giving.

I've only been attending services at First Parish for a short time and already you are asking me for money?
We ask all who participate in our services or programs, members or not, to join us in financial support of our community. Each spring, we conduct an annual stewardship campaign, asking all our members and friends to make pledges that will form the basis for the following year's operating budget (July-June). As a newcomer you may have missed the campaign, or not felt ready to pledge at that time. People join throughout the year, and should not wait for the stewardship campaign to begin formally supporting the church.

Why should I pledge if I put money in the collection plate whenever I come to church?
To provide ongoing programs, we need to have predictable revenue. Our expenses for salaries, utilities and maintenance continue regardless of attendance. We cannot budget adequately based on fluctuating collection plate contributions. According to the Unitarian Universalist Association, a healthy congregation should get at least 85% of its funding from pledges.

First Parish currently gets about 72% from pledges. We have been making up part of the difference by drawing from our trust funds, but we need to reserve those funds for capital expenses and emergencies, like painting the sanctuary, repairing the windows, fixing the heating, and improving our space. So, we are working to eliminate our reliance on trust fund money for routine operating costs, and increased pledges are needed to make up the difference. As a participant, we ask you to give your fair share to support First Parish.

What about volunteering in lieu of funds?
The work of our volunteers is essential to church life. Without our committees and other volunteers, we could not create such an active, caring, vibrant community. But members of our community must donate both time and money to keep our church operating at its fullest potential and without financial deficits.

How do I pay a pledge?
Most members and friends contribute once each month, either by placing their check in the plate on Sunday or by mailing their check to First Parish. Some contribute a lump sum to cover the entire year. An option that many people find convenient, and that helps the church manage funds, is to set up automatic electronic transfers from the pledger's bank account.

There is also an option to pay your pledge in the form of appreciated stock or other securities, which often gives significant tax benefits to the donor. A form is available (http://firstparish.info/FP/finance/securities_form.html) or you are welcome to contact the Parish Manager, Butch Redding, who can help direct you to people to advise you on these matters.
Note: To open the form use the first part of our domain name as "username" and the usual password for opening our monthly newsletter as "password."

I don't know how much is appropriate. Can you explain this to me?
With about 270 pledging households and an operating budget of over $400,000, the cost per household is more than $1,100 (assuming 75% of the budget is funded by pledges). But this can be misleading because some households are unable to contribute this sum, while others can afford-and do provide-much more. The Unitarian Universalist Association suggests guidelines that vary with adjusted gross income, for example pledging 3% of an income of $50,000 or 5% of an income of $150,000, for a sustaining level of giving.

The best answer to how much to give is simply this: please strive to give as much as you are able, keeping in mind the actual cost per pledge household and the different financial circumstances of our members. There is no fixed minimum or maximum. We are striving to be a caring community that can sustain itself and extend our good works and social influence beyond the boundaries of our own needs. We can only reach that goal through the generosity of all those in our community.

First Parish has an operating budget of about $430,000 to $475,000 per year, funding the program areas in the pie chart, with costs for salaries and benefits for our ministers and staff, utilities, programs, supplies, postage, building maintenance, and administration. In addition, we have denominational dues obligations to the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Massachusetts Bay District that total $68 per member. We also incur capital expenses each year, such as computer equipment and building repairs.

What will my pledge go towards? * Income Generation is the cost of making the building available to renters, and fundraising costs

How can I change my automatic electronic transfer amount when I change my pledge for the new year, or if I stop pledging?
Tell our Parish Manager, Butch Redding, via email to Butch or a note how much the new transfer amount should be, and the date you want the change to begin.

What if my financial circumstances change during the year and I can't keep up with my pledge?
Should a change occur in your financial status and you are unable to meet your pledge, it is possible to adjust your pledge during the fiscal year. We care about your situation, and will work with people who are having financial needs which affect their pledge.

I am ready to pledge. What now?
To make a pledge, contact our Parish Manager, Butch Redding (781 648 3799 or email Butch), or our Stewardship Committee chair, Alan Linov (781-646-9222 or email Alan). We are glad to have your support and offer many thanks!

Where can I get answers to my other concerns and questions about pledging?
Contact Stewardship Committee chair, Alan Linov (781-646-9222 or email Alan) if you have any further questions or concerns you would like to discuss.