Through Faith Direct you can make all of your contributions to St. John the Evangelist with automatic payment from your checking account or credit card. This is a great way to simplify your giving – and it’s the most cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way for us to receive your gifts.
Stewardship embodies the understanding that all we are and possess are gifts from God. It reminds us to keep God first in all aspects of our lives.
The U.S. Bishop’s pastoral letter on Stewardship reminds us to “receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.”
Financial support is vital to sustaining the work of our ministry, and we appreciate the generous support we receive from our parishioners. As Catholics, we recognize that all we have – our time, talents, resources, and even our very lives – are gifts from God. We are called to be good stewards of all these gifts, investing them wisely and generously for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
Regular, planned, sacrificial giving provides resources needed for our parish to fulfill its stated mission. Your sustaining gifts provide for worship services, pastoral, educational, and administrative staff, and community outreach initiatives to provide for the poor and needy of our parish and community.
Choose a giving method
- CASH St. John appreciates your giving, no matter the method. Please be aware we are unable to track loose cash donations.
- WEEKLY ENVELOPES Plan your gift as part of your monthly budget and elect to use weekly envelopes. All donations are recorded in our database for end-of-year tax statements. Simply email our Accountant, Cathy Todt, and request offertory envelopes be sent to you.
- LOOSE CHECK DONATIONS These are recorded in our records for end-of-year tax statements for registered parishioners only.
- AUTO BILL PAY Just log in to your online banking system and set up a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or one-time payment to be sent to St. John’s. We process this donation as we would any donation check. Please note where you intend your donation to be applied (offertory, maintenance, Catholic Schools, etc.) in the check memo. Including your envelope number facilitates the recording of your donations.
- ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) The most convenient way to provide your support is by electronic transfer of funds through a checking account, savings account, or credit card charge. Faith Direct, our EFT provider, offers a secure way to send your regular contributions, even when you are unable to attend Mass. Faith Direct also provides you with a personalized “offertory card” that you can choose to place in the collection basket as a visible sign of your support. Visit the Faith Direct website to enroll or download an enrollment form here. Enrollment forms are also available at the parish office.
Electronic Funds Transfer FAQ
What is EFT?
EFT stands for Electronic Funds Transfer. It is an automated transfer program that allows you to make contributions without writing checks by having withdrawals from your checking account, savings account, or charged to your credit card.
How is my electronic gift deducted from my checking/savings/credit card account?
Once you authorize the transfer, your specified contribution is electronically transferred from your designated account to the church’s account.
When would this automatic contribution be taken from my account?
You have two options:
1. Monthly from checking/savings/credit card accounts deducted on the 4th of every month.
2.Monthly from checking/savings/credit card accounts deducted on the 15th of every month.
What is the parish code?
Our parish code is MD755.
How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed?
Simply record the withdrawal in your check register or credit card register on the pre-set day you have selected. Your bank statements will list the electronic transfers deducted from your account. St. John will continue to provide an annual contribution record for your tax purposes.
What if I change banks/credit cards or want to change the amount of my contribution?
Change your EFT giving selections through one of the following: Log on to your Faith Direct account; Call Faith Direct at 1-866-507-8757; or notify Cathy Todt in the Parish Office at (301) 662-8288 x1003 or by email.
Cancellations must be made at least seven business days before the automatic transfer date you have selected. You can make changes to your giving as often as you desire.
Is there any charge from my bank/credit card to give electronically?
No. It costs you nothing, and it saves you time!
If I use a joint bank account, do both parties have to sign the form?
No. As long as only one signature is required for withdrawals or charges on the account, only one person needs to sign the Electronic Giving Form. If two signatures are required for all checks, withdrawals or credit card purchases, both parties must sign the application.
Can second collections be given electronically?
Yes, you can now give to ALL collections through Faith Direct. Please refer to the order form for the list of all collections at St. John.
Designated Gifts/Donations/Bequests
Large and small gifts and donations can be made for designated or undesignated purposes. Stocks, securities, and even houses can be donated to the church. The proceeds can be used for designated purposes, such as a specific program or fund, or the proceeds can be left unrestricted and used where there is the greatest need.
The following are some examples of ways you can support St. John:
- Outright Gift – A one-time gift (cash, check or credit card) with or without conditions or terms of trust.
- Pledge – A signed and dated commitment to make a gift over a specified time period.
- Stock Gift – A donation of stocks or bonds.
- Deferred Gift – A charitable gift arrangement where use of the asset is delayed to the future.
- Endowments – Funds to be kept permanently and invested to provide income for ongoing support.
- Bequest – A contribution made by an individual after death through a provision in their will.
- Legacy Giving – Also referred to as “Planned Giving,” a variety of charitable gifts that can be given during an individual’s lifetime and whose residual funds indefinitely support St. John the Evangelist or a specific program or fund.
- Charitable Gift Annuity – An agreement in which cash or other assets are transferred to a charitable organization in exchange for its promise to pay the donor an annuity for life.
- Retirement Plan Assets – Naming St. John the Evangelist or a specific program or fund as beneficiary or partial beneficiary of a retirement plan.
- Trusts – Money, property, or securities held under a trust agreement to provide income for the beneficiary.
- Corporate Matching – A donation from an employer matching the employee’s charitable contribution, thereby doubling the contribution of the employee’s gift.
- In-Kind Gift – A contribution of equipment, supplies, labor or other property.
If you have questions or suggestions about annual giving commitments and options, contact Cathy Todt at 301-662-8288 x1003 or cathy.todt@stjohn-frederick.org.
Regular, predictable giving provides a critical foundation for the Pastor, the Finance Committee, and the Staff to build upon in carrying out the mission of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church!