Simply Giving:
Electronic Transfer of funds for offerings and gifts.
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Simply Giving
A Simple Choice . . . A Generous Choice
Simply Giving is a new automated giving program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It’s designed to help you conveniently, consistently, and joyfully give financial gifts to our congregation’s ministry. By participating in Simply Giving, you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly or monthly offerings to our congregation.
General Questions Frequently Asked About Simply Giving
1. Are there any charges for individuals to participate in Simply Giving ?
No. All transaction fees are paid by Thrivent Financial as their gift to the Lutheran community.
2. How can funds be withdrawn directly from a participant’s bank account?
Account withdrawals are made only with prior authorization from the participant. No funds will be withdrawn unless the participant specifically authorizes the transaction to occur.
3. When would the automatic contribution be taken from the participant’s bank account ?
Participants can specify whether they want contributions made:
weekly on Monday weekly on Friday semi-monthly on the 1st and 15th monthly on the 1st monthly on the 15th4. Are electronic contributions risky?
No. An electronic contribution is safer than writing a check, and it can’t be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail.
5. How do participants keep a record of the amounts they have contributed?
The participant’s bank statement will include an itemized list of all EFT’s from their account. In addition, we will include each Simply Giving transaction on the offering statement sent to you every three months.
6. How do church members participate in the weekly offering ?
A supply of Simply Giving stickers will be provided to each member who participates. These stickers can be affixed to the offering envelope and you place in the offering plate.
7. Can church members use Simply Giving to make contributions to multiple funds such as budget support, Roof Loan, or The Outreach Corporation?
Yes. Members use the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form to designate applications to funds of their choice. To ensure accurate accounting of gifts to multiple funds, specific instructions for completing the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form will be provided to the member by Christ Church.
8. Is it necessary to have participants fill in bank account and routing information since that data is already included on their attached check or deposit slip?
It is not technically necessary, but it is recommended because it serves as back-up in the event the voided check or deposit slip becomes detached from the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form.
9. Who sees the information on the Member Enrollment and Authorization Forms?
The Member Enrollment and Authorization Forms are seen by our Financial Secretary as well as by the Vanco Services, LLC, employees who process them. (Vanco Services, LLC, employees are bonded and have signed confidentiality agreements.) In addition, participant name and address information may be provided to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Participant information will not be shared with any other organizations.
10. If participants have a joint signature account, do both parties need to sign the Member Enrollment and Authorization Form?
No. Only one signature is required.
11. How do participants change the amount of their contribution or change the account from which either is made?
Participants can change the amount or account from which it is made by completing a new authorization form and returning it to the church’s Financial Secretary's office. The appropriate “Change in Authorization Amount” or “Change in Account” field must be checked.
12. How do I sign up ?
Simply call the church office and ask Gladys Collins, our Financial Secretary to send you an enrollment form. Once it is completed and returned to her she will inform you of the start date. Gladys can be reached by calling (610) 352-1610.