What is a pledge?
A pledge is a commitment you make to God using the gifts, skills, and treasures entrusted to your care.

When do I make a pledge?
You can make a pledge at any time. Each year we have a stewardship campaign that launches in September for the upcoming year. You are encouraged to turn in your pledge cards as soon as possible to help the clergy, staff, and vestry plan the operating budget accordingly.

What is my pledge used for?
100% of your pledge supports the vestry-approved operating budget for the church which is used to carry out the mission and ministries of the church.

How much should I pledge?
Your commitment or pledge is between you and God. As you pray and discern, you are invited to give generously. The Bible has numerous examples of God’s people making a tithe (meaning 10%). Depending on your financial situation a 10% tithe may not be feasible, but 3%, 5%, or 7% may be possible.

What if I need to change my pledge?
You can change your pledge by completing a new pledge card or contacting our Parish Administrative Officer. If you need to decrease your pledge for financial hardship reasons, please contact the Parish Administrative Officer directly.

How can I find out how much I still owe on my pledge?
Quarterly statements will be mailed to the address we have on file detailing your contributions. You may also contact Heather Studenberg our Parish Administrative Officer in the church office or by email at office@stpaulsmurfreesboro.org.

What if I have questions?
Call the church office 615-893-3780, option 4 or email Heather Studenberg, our Parish Administrative Officer, at office@stpaulsmurfreesboro.org.

In-Person

• During each worship service an offering plate is passed through the pews. You may pay towards your pledge (via cash or check) by placing it in the offering plate as part of your rhythm of worship.
• Make sure to either fill out a giving envelope provided in the pew or a personal envelope with your name written on it. Seal the envelope and place it in the offering plate as it passes.
• At any time during business hours  parishioners may drop off a donation in cash or check to the parish office.
  • Parish Office hours Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
  • After business hours, envelopes with name written on it and your donation inside may be dropped into the mailbox at the front of the Wall Building next to the front door.

Online

• Want to make a one-time or recurring gift online? Be sure to select the fund "Pledge Fulfillment"  and make a note in the memo line if needed. Click here.
• Processing fee for online donations made by a credit card, bank card or ACH.
  • When processing an online donation, you can choose to increase your gift to help cover the church’s expense of the processing fee or not.
  • Regarding the processing fee from our third-party vendor is:
    • 3% for credit donations
    • 2% for ACH donations

Text-to- Give

• Text “GiveStPauls” to 73256 from your SMS text-enabled mobile device. Follow the prompts to make a gift.
• Processing fees listed above also apply for Text to Give credit and ACH donation transactions.

Check

• Handwritten checks or a bill pay check from your bank/financial institution should be made out to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
• The corresponding address to send them to is 116 N Academy St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
• Be sure to make a note in the memo of the check or on a separate piece of paper where the funds should be designated.
• There is no processing fee from St. Paul’s to process a personal or financial institution check.

Stock

• You may donate shares of stock or mutual funds to fulfill your pledge or as a one-time gift.
• Click here to learn more about how to get in touch with our broker.
• Appreciated stocks owned for more than one year can be donated to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and may be deducted for income tax purposes at full fair market value on the date of the transfer, with no significant capital gain tax liability. Fair market value, per IRS Publication 561, is the average price between the highest and lowest quoted selling prices on the date of valuation.
• It is also helpful to notify the parish administrative officer of your intent to gift stock, so that if a name is not noted with the trade confirmation the received funds from the sale of stock can be recorded correctly.

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) & Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

• A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is a mandatory annual withdrawal from a retirement account, which is treated as taxable income. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a tax-smart way for individuals age 70½ and older to fulfill their RMD obligation by donating funds directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. The key difference is that an RMD is a taxable withdrawal, while a QCD is a tax-free charitable contribution that can satisfy the RMD requirement. 
• If it is desired to gift one’s RMD/QCD, please ask that the financial institution list the donor’s name on the check or statement. It is helpful to also notify the Parish Administrative Officer to expect a check from a particular financial institution, so that if a name is not noted the funds can be applied correctly.