Give
Fall 2024 Stewardship Campaign - Together We Thrive -- Time, Talent, & Treasure
As we look to our 2025 mission and ministry, we'll be inviting each of us to consider how we might be involved. We'll be sharing a bit of a new way to consider volunteering your time and talents. We know that people's lives are busy and a bit complicated at times, so we've created some new ways of envisioning what unique contribution you might make. As well, your financial generosity fuels so much of what we're able to accomplish. And so we're
inviting every household to make a pledge or commitment to sharing your treasure so that Light of Christ can continue to move forward as a vibrant community of Christ-followers. You are in every way a partner in what we do together!
Watch for more information each week and in worship on Sundays beginning on October 27th. And let us celebrate how Together We Thrive by offering our Time, Talent, & Treasure for God's purposes through Light of Christ!
And thank you, Cheri Ashfeld, for your talents in creating our 2024 Pledge Drive graphic!
Our Light of Christ mission and ministries happen because of the generosity and giving of our members/partners. Together we accomplish much. This "Annual Ministry Giving/Priorities" contain everything that is in our annual budget, everything from ministry and support staff, to facility maintenance, to utilities, to supplies and resources. You might think of this similarly to the offering plate. This is what helps make the heartbeat of our ministry happen.
Many enjoy making this giving a priority and regular giving pattern. Thus, pledging is a way to do that. Others enjoy giving as they feel moved. Whatever the case might be for you, this is one place you can do your giving.
Oftentimes we speak about time, talent and treasures as being central ways we are a part of Christ's ministry. This is the "treasure" portion. Essentially having Jesus' priorities and mission being our own, too. The website is filled with ways to give of your time and talents, so please peruse the many pages and tabs here.
Thank you for your faith active in love through your financial giving! Click here to go to our online giving page.
Help us move toward our vision to more deeply connect with God and one another! Our Let Us Build a House capital appeal begins by taking care of some facility and campus priorities, including a new parking lot, some building security, and fixing our leaky steeple. Then we'll move on to improving our internal space and flow that will increase our ministry connections.
Click here for our online giving site to find the capital appeal as well as other giving options and needs.
The Endowment Fund Committee helps Light of Christ members or couples make either a legacy gift through estate planning or a major gift at any point that fits their financial life. Planning what will happen to assets at the end of life allows members to make an impact and leave a legacy for the future.
As members contribute gifts and estate proceeds, the growing Endowment Fund uses investment income to fund grants. These are awarded to ministry projects within Light of Christ, the local Delano community, and ELCA projects throughout the U.S. and world. Most recent 2024 grants included:
• A Prayer Ground rug in the play area of the sanctuary
• Housing staples our mission trip youth selected to prepare a refugee's apartment
• Financial donation toward sanctuary livestream equipment
The committee connects interested members with an ELCA Gift Planner and provides synod resources that clarify the most rewarding and tax-efficient way to distribute assets to family and ministries the member(s) choose. To initiate a conversation, contact the church office for current Endowment Fund committee members. Continue reading for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the Endowment Fund?
- This separate and distinct fund is not part of Light of Christ’s general fund, nor is it financed by or allocated through any capital appeal.
- Private gifts from Light of Christ partners grow and fund the church’s ministries, both locally and globally. It is the third leg of LOC’s funding stool: faith giving, capital campaigns, Endowment Fund.
- Perhaps most importantly, individual Light of Christ partners apply their current gifts to create the church’s future.
Why give to the Endowment Fund?
- Your gift leaves a personal legacy reflecting your values and faith.
- You ensure a strong future for Light of Christ ministries, created by your gift.
- Gifts of cash, stock, property or insurance policies can create a tax advantage in your estate plans and benefit your family.
- Endowment Fund gifts enhance the long-term stability of our church and support future needs beyond what we know today.
How do I gift the Fund?
- Gifts of assets such as stocks, bonds, property or cash can be given at any time.
- Planned gifts can include an insurance policy, willed amount, or deeded property.
- Financial gifts can be made by check or online on the Vanco site. (Scroll to select the Endowment Fund.)
- No minimum donation is required.
- There’s no need to alert Light of Christ to your estate gift plan.
- We recommend that you work with our ELCA Regional Gift Planner to ensure the best tax strategy in your giving.
How is the Fund’s money managed and spent?
- The Light of Christ Endowment Fund Committee follows legal bylaws and gift policies.
- Funds are invested in ELCA Endowment Fund Pooled Trust . Quarterly reports are available online.
- The Annual Report provided to the congregation includes the Fund balance, growth data, and grant awards each calendar year.
- Depending on market conditions, the Committee reviews grant applications and awards funds for internal (LOC), local (Delano area), and global (ELCA-supported) ministries.
How can I make a grant application?
- Download and complete the Application Form.
- Submit via email to the church office with “Endowment Fund Application” in the subject line.
- Please review the Endowment Fund Policies that may affect your application.
