Why should I estimate my giving rather than simply donate to the plate each week?

It's difficult to predict what might happen financially in 2011. The past two years have been a roller coaster and complicated for most of us. Don't let financial hardship interrupt your relationship with God or Trinity Episcopal Church. Your acceptance here is not based on your capacity to give. Trinity will continue to answer God's call to Inspire Community. And we will continue to strive to uphold our baptismal promise, "We will, with God's help."

We do ask that everyone return a pledge card, no matter the size of the committment. You can increase or decrease your pledge as your situation changes with a simply call to the church office.

How is my money spent?

Trinity's budget is spent as we strive to Inspire Community: We will, with God's help! While Trinity will not determine its budget for next year until the end of the annual campaign, we offer our budget from last year to show how different areas are funded.

What is proportional giving?

Proportionate giving involves two points: 1) That our level of giving needs to rise out of our level of income, and 2) That giving out of thanks for God's blessings will involve sharing a portion of that income with others.

A great deal is said today about tithing as the highest form of proportionate giving. The 10 percent tithe is held up as the standard for Christian stewards. And there are a great many advantages to endorsing such a standard.

• It is a biblical standard.

• It is related to income and not to a congregation's budget.

• It has "universality" about it, in that the concept is as old as the early Old Testament.

The fact is that no specific percentage adequately expresses our stewardship before God. It is in the qualities of thankfulness, love, and joy that the concept of proportionate giving has its foundation. We express these qualities in a practical manner.

How do I determine my pledge?

Take your annual gross income and simply multiply it by the percentage that you want to share with God in your material giving. Then divide that amount by the weeks in one year.

• More information from Trinity Episcopal Church about determining your pledge

• Fliexipledge

• Income/percentage table

What methods of payment does Trinity accept?

Trinity accepts cash and checks. Checks can be put in the offering plate or mailed in to the office. At this time, Trinity does not accept credit cards. However, we hope to establish online giving in 2011, which will enable credit card giving and possibly automated bank draughts. Look for more information in March, 2011.

What are the offering envelopes I see people putting in the plate?

Some people appreciate special offering envelopes provided by the church. If you would like a set of envelopes, indicate your preference at the bottom of the pledge form. All pledge payments are acknowledged with quarterly statements.

How often should I send a payment?

The frequency of your pledge is up to you. Some send it all at once, some monthly, and some weekly. This year, a new program debuts, Flexipledge, which allows people to indicate the months they intend to give. (see more information below.)

What is Flexipledge?

Debuting in 2010, Flexipledge allows people to indicate the amount of their plege and the months in which it will be paid. It's most convenient for those who are only able to commit a semester at a time, or people who are out of town for large parts of the year. Look for Flexipledge on the 2011 Estimate of Giving.