Live Generously

Annual pledges support everything we do and are at OCC– paying clergy and staff, supporting our outreach ministries, fellowship, music offerings and providing special services and maintaining our buildings and grounds

Annual pledges are the financial foundation of our church. The single most important source of funding for our ministries and mission comes from pledges. Other key income sources are donations from AA, Homemakers group, and any other organization that use our facilities.

Each Sunday, the congregation joins in a variety of unison prayers and spoken responses that are printed in the bulletin. Throughout the service, the congregation members may stand together or be seated as a sign of unity and respect for the worship experience. Those who are not physically able or comfortable to stand may feel free to remain seated.

A sign-in registry for newcomers is located in the back of the sanctuary. If you are interested in receiving more information about the church, simply fill out the information and you will be contacted.

At the conclusion of worship, the pastor greets people at the main sanctuary exit. All are invited to enjoy light refreshments and conversation at our Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall.

Based on the income from pledges and other revenue sources, the congregation creates and votes on an annual budget. You can participate in the process.

We create an annual budget that makes the financing of our church operations easy to understand. It shows how your money is used to support the different ministries of our congregation. We believe that it is very important to be transparent in our budget process and all financial matters. You can call the church office to request a copy of the current annual budget. Here’s a sample spending plan from a few years ago. We reflected on all of our expenditures in light of our mission statement to Welcome All, Care for the World, and Grow in the Spirit.

You do not have to be a church member. Some people feel OCC is their church home without becoming a member, and still love to express their support.

Our community members give for a variety of reasons. Some give because they love our church’s hospitality; others cherish opportunities for spiritual growth, service and care for the world such as mission trips, prayer shawl ministry, women’s retreat, or its role as a welcoming presence in the community.

As a congregation, we view pledging as an important spiritual practice, encouraging us to grow intentionally in faith and generosity in every part of our lives. It is because of annual pledging and other generous support from our parishioners, that our church lives up to its mission.

Rest assured, you are not the only person who wonders if there is a “right amount” to give. At OCC, every pledge, no matter the size of your gift, is valued! It also helps the church to know your giving plans so we can budget more effectively.

We invite you to prayerfully reflect on the money and resources God has entrusted to your care and decide on how much you feel you can give. Members of the Stewardship Committee are also available to help you reflect on this question; see the pastor for their contact information.

We believe that our standard of giving should reflect our standard of living. We ask each parishioner to consider making a pledge that is both responsible and significant based on his or her financial situation.

Tithing, the practice of sharing 10% of your income, has long been held as the standard of Christian giving. For most, it is a goal to be reached through incremental increases each year. At OCC every pledge, no matter what amount, makes a valued contribution to our mission and ministry.

If you consider tithing or proportional giving, the following chart may help:

The Stewardship committee sends out letters requesting pledges in October. Pledges are always welcome throughout the year.

A pledge is simply a promise to pay. Actual payments can be made in a lump-sum or through as many installments as you wish throughout the following year. Often, pledges are fulfilled on a weekly or monthly basis. Pledges are to be fulfilled within one calendar-year, beginning January 1.

Some families choose to set up regular direct payments through their bank. You can also give safely online, through Pay Pal.

Your pledge is a promise to your church and the congregation. However, it is not legally binding. If your circumstances change, you may notify the church office or the Pastor if you need to make an adjustment. If you are blessed with unexpected extra income, you are always welcome to increase your pledge. You can request a update on your pledge amount anytime during the year.

Please do not hesitate to call our church office: 631-323-2665 or e-mail us at OrientChurchUCC@gmail.com . We look forward to hearing from you!