Everything we possess is a gift from God. And in gratitude, we are called to offer back ourselves, our talents, and our gifts for the work of the Church. In doing this we fulfill Christ’s call to feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe those who are cold and welcome in the stranger. Jesus’ simple reminder for us is this: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!
Support WCUMC
Giving Online
Making a Contribution by Text
Simply send a text message to [877-769-1961] with the amount you would like to contribute (example: 25). Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and debit or card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt of your donation via email. For future giving, send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically! You can even text “repeat” to make it a recurring donation.
Special Gifts
At the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church there are many opportunities for designated giving. Some examples of designated giving include support of our music program, sending our youth to Sierra Service Project, and our Extended Family Program. If you would like to make a designated gift, you can do so online.
Stock Options and Mutual Funds
There is a way to give to the Church that maximizes the amount you give and minimizes taxes associated with the gift. You can make gift transfers of stocks and mutual funds to the church once a year or multiple times throughout the year. The gift transfers can be applied toward your annual pledge to the church, or to help fund a special project, ministry, or event. Find out more about on our donating stock options/mutual funds page.
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Steward?
In Jesus’ time, the steward was the manager of the household. The steward was not the owner of the assets, but a responsible administrator of the owner’s property.
A starting place is the recognition that God has invited us to be responsible for our lives and resources. With God in our lives, we are better stewards in the world.
We are all stewards of some possessions and influence. The question is: “What kind of steward of our resources are we?”
Learn more about stewardship and our annual pledge drive
How are stewardship and financial giving related?
Giving money for the work of the church is one very important aspect of stewardship, but it is not the whole of stewardship. Christian giving is a responsive act. It represents gratitude to God. It is a symbol of self-giving. Therefore, giving is not a once-for-all event, but a regular part of life. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us who we are and whose we are.
What is a Stewardship Pledge?
Each year, the people of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church (WCUMC) are asked to make a stewardship pledge for the upcoming calendar year. Your pledge is a one-year financial commitment to support the ministry within our congregation, to the larger United Methodist Church and to the world. A pledge made in connection with the current stewardship drive is to be paid by December 31, 2020.
What is an Appropriate Pledge Amount?
The amount of one’s stewardship pledge is a personal, spiritual decision. The biblical concept of tithing (contributing 10% of one’s income to the church and other worthy organizations) is a standard to prayerfully consider. Some may be able to equal or exceed the tithing level. Others will pledge at a lower level. We have included the giving percentage table below as a guideline for those who would like to move toward this goal. All pledge contributions, regardless of the amount, are gratefully received as an expression of your commitment.
Giving Percentage Guideline
| Annual Income | 3% | 5% | 7% | 10% | 12% |
| $250,000 | $7,500 | $12,500 | $17,500 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| $200,000 | $6,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | $20,000 | $24,000 |
| $150,000 | $4,500 | $7,500 | $10,500 | $15,000 | $18,000 |
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $10,000 | $12,000 |
| $50,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| $30,000 | $900 | $1,500 | $2,100 | $3,000 | $3,600 |
Why are Pledges Important?
Pledges are essential to WCUMC’s planning process. Each year, committees submit their goals and the estimated cost to achieve them. Your Finance Committee will take these estimates and start to build our budget. Once 2020 pledges are received, our Church Council will finalize the budget. Please refer to our 2019 Church Budget below for more information.
What is the Conference Tithe?
The Conference Tithe is our denomination giving to the United Methodist church. It support ministry that reach beyond our local church. For example, through our Conference tithe we support summer camps and youth programs that affect hundreds of lives in the California-Nevada Conference and beyond. Our Conference Tithe also supports other programs like promoting health and clean water throughout the developing world.
We realize that the United Methodist Church is in flux with its decision this year to continue its discriminatory practices against our LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters. Because we stand boldly with those whom our Church hurt by this disastrous decision, we have given our constituency the option of withholding a portion of their pledge linked to this discrimination and harm. On your pledge card you will have an option to withhold this portion of your pledge/tithe.
How Many Households Give?
For 2019, we received 99 pledges for a total of $324,056.
How are Pledge Donations Paid?
People fulfill their pledge in the manner that best meets their circumstances. One may give weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually via cash, checks, or by automatic bank withdrawal. You can also donate online. Pledges may also be paid with securities. Should circumstances change, the pledge can be increased or decreased.
How are Pledges Submitted and What is the Time Frame?
You are asked to complete and return their pledge cards in a sealed envelope to the church by mail or by placing them in the offering plate during worship no later than Dedication Sunday. Or you can send your pledge card directly to the church care of the Finance Office.