A Message from Fr. Mike
Stewardship is holy care. It is how we love graciously, forgive unconditionally, and practice radical hospitality. By caring for others, maintaining our church buildings, and planning for the future, we build the Kingdom of God.
Chicken Little Skit
Our budget is a little tighter next year - is our church closing!? No, Chicken Little, our church is definitely not in trouble. There is no need to panic, but we are encouraging you to take a look at your egg-onomics and flock together with your church!
Time and Talent
Stewardship is our response to God's grace and love. It is our commitment to live generously and freely offer our gifts in the service of God. When we give our time by attending worship, use our talent by singing in the choir, live out our mission by volunteering at Outreach House, or serve the church by helping the Altar Guild, we are building the Kingdom of God.
Financial Pledging
Your financial pledge directly supports our church and outreach efforts. In the Episcopal Church, funding occurs from the parish level. We do not receive any monetary support from the Diocese or national church. We rely on financial pledges to offer worship services, pay our electric and heating bills, maintain our historic buildings, and serve the community through the Outreach House. While tithing goals are different for every individual and situation, many people strive to tithe 10% of their disposable income.
Planned Giving
St. James' Episcopal Church exists because of the Saints of the past. Through planned giving, individuals have made a lasting impact on St. James' and the surrounding community. By planning for future giving today, you can ensure that St. James' will continue to thrive and be a center of hope in the Collegeville area. Click below to learn more about your options for planned giving.
Learn more from The Church Foundation:
Community Impact
St. James' partners with outside organizations to make a difference in the Collegeville area. Organizations such as AA, Vets in Recovery, and Scouts regularly use our spaces for their meetings and projects. The Community Garden and History Center serve our neighbors throughout the Collegeville area. Our church provides support for important services such as Wreaths Across America, the Lower Providence Business Association, and the Job Club. By collaborating with the Deacons Drives and area groups, such as the Blue Comets Motorcycle Club, our Outreach House is able to provide even more donations to serve our neighbors in need.
View the video below to learn how your pledge makes a difference in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Episcopal Church, we fund our church and activities from the parish level. Pledging, both financially and with your time and talent, directly sustains the church and our outreach efforts. We do not receive monetary support from the Diocese or national church.
While you can donate to the collection plate without pledging, we prefer that you submit a pledge. Our yearly budget is based on our pledge commitments. By submitting a pledge, you are helping the vestry plan for the year ahead.
Tithing goals are different for every individual and situation. A traditional tithe is 10% of your disposable income. If you have any questions or concerns about your personal goals for tithing, you are invited to have a conversation with the Rector.
Virtual "Financial" and "Time and Talent" forms are available on this website. If you prefer to submit a physical card, hardcopies of both forms are available at the church. You can also call the church office (610-489-7564) and request that a stewardship packet be mailed to your home address. Pledge forms can be submitted to the collection plate or the church office.
Yes. Hardcopies of both the "Financial" and "Time and Talent" cards are available at the church. You can also call the church office (610-489-7564) and request that a stewardship packet be mailed to your home address. Hardcopies can be submitted to the collection plate or the church office.
Yes, pledging is done on an annual basis. We ask that everyone submits a new pledge for 2024.
Cash or Check: Can be mailed to the church or put in the collection plate.
Credit Card: Submit a card payment via Vanco. Please note that the church does incur a small fee for this method of payment, even if you select to offset the cost.
ACH/Direct Bank Transfers: Set-up bank transfers via Vanco. This form of payment does not have any fees.
Please include your envelope number with all payments so the amount gets credited to your account!
Vanco is our portal for setting up electronic payment methods. You can schedule payments weekly, monthly, or yearly and keep your pledge up to date. You can register for Vanco here: Donation (eservicepayments.com)
Yes. The pledge card represents your financial commitment for the year and allows the church to plan ahead. Vanco is only the method of payment.
Your envelope number is your account number. Including your envelope number with payments allows us to credit you with the donation for tax and accounting purposes.
Check your envelope number on the stewardship postcard mailed to your home address. The number is listed on the top line of the address label. You can also request your envelope number by emailing the church office (office@stjames-episcopal.org)
Please note that your envelope number does not change from year to year. Once assigned, your envelope number will remain the same.
Yes. Only the pledge team (those individuals tasked with accounting for the total amount pledged) are able to see individual pledges. The Vestry only has access to the overall amount pledged and cannot know individual pledges.
Quarterly statements are sent via email in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters of the year. Hardcopy end-of-year statements are mailed to the address on the account in January.
Unfortunately, software limitations result in only one name being associated with each envelope number. If you would like to change the primary name associated with your account, please email the church office at office@stjames-episcopal.org
If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the church office at 610-489-7564 or office@stjames-episcopal.org.
