or keep reading to learn more about giving at South Church
Our Mission Team has sent an emergency donation to Doctors Without Borders. They have also designated the International Red Cross and Red Crescent as our April mission partner and have already begun accepting donations.
Unlike some churches that are supported by a denomination, South Church is primarily supported by families in the church. Some are from generations past who left legacy gifts, but the majority are folks just like you. These funds support our pastoral staff, youth and music programs, community and mission outreach and maintaining our historic building.
Every gift – no matter how big or small – can have an impact, and why we depend on every member and friend of South Church to prayerfully discern at what level their family can support our ministries.
At South Church, we prioritize mission trips for our youth, meals for our hungry brothers and sisters, and affordable housing for our neighbors. From local soup kitchens and international disaster relief charities, to staff budgets and building maintenance, no matter the size of your gift you’ll be able to see how we use every dollar to minister to the greater Andover community and the world. Our financial administrator and church leaders work hard to prepare yearly narrative budgets that detail how the church finances have been used. Throughout the year, our church council receives monthly updates about the financial health of our church. When you take a look at the ministries of South Church, and how we use gifts, we think you’ll feel good about what you find.
As a church supported by our members and friends, every gift goes a long way. Most families support South Church by making a yearly “pledge.” Every year, families prayerfully consider how much they feel called and capable of giving to the church. There is no correct amount nor amount too small. Some families pledge $100 a month, while others pledge $5000 a year. The average pledge is around $3000 a year. While life situations arise and we are not always able to fulfill our pledge – grace abounds! Even when we’re uncertain about what next year will bring, any amount helps our volunteer leaders budget and plan ministries for the coming year.
A pledge is a good faith promise by church members to give a set amount over a calendar year to support South Church. Pledges help our church leaders draft a responsible budget for the coming year. Last year 225 households made a commitment to sustain our programs and outreach throughout the year. Families choose to fulfill their pledge in a variety of ways: Monthly electronic donations, weekly checks, and/or one-time stock donations.
You can use our secure, integrated church management software to make your pledge, set up your own recurring payments, and monitor your giving history. If you haven’t activated your account, email Joanne. If you need help registering, or making a pledge, watch these videos or email Joanne. You can always log-in at OnRealm.org
If navigating Realm is difficult for any reason, you can fill out this simple Google Form. You do not need a Google account. Note that this form will not allow you to set up options to fulfill your pledge, only record your pledge.
If you didn’t receive a pledge card in the mail, or need a new one, let us know.
our Mission Team is supporting Project Home Again. Donations will be used to purchase mattresses for their Good Night’s Sleep program. Project Home Again, an Andover organization, provides those in need with furniture and household goods allowing them to live in comfort and dignity.
Each Month, our Missions Team will select a new partner, locally or globally, to support. The team shares with us in worship why that partner was selected and invites us to make a gift. In 2021, you gave away over $63,000 to our mission partners through our Sunday offering alone! Thank you!
Project Home Again provides low-income families with recycled household goods, furniture, and small appliances necessary to live with comfort and dignity.
The “Good Night’s Sleep Program” provides new mattress sets to clients that have no bed of their own — some are currently sleeping on the floor, sharing with too many family members in one bed, or sleeping on mattresses so old, uncomfortable or unsanitary that they need replacing. Your monetary donation helps give a “good night sleep” to someone in need. It can affect the way they see the whole world, whether achieving more in school, at work, or having the stamina to beat an illness.
The PHA Approach:
Monthly Mission Partners
2023
February: Voices of Hope
January: Abby’s House
2022 All Hearts and Hands, UCC Hurricane Relief, The Bike Connector, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, SNAP Market Match, Pastor Samaritan Fund, Communities Together, The Giving Garden, World Central Kitchen, UCC Disaster Relief & Church World Service Emergency Buckets, A Better Chance Andover
Watch the videos or follow any of the links below to learn more about our core mission partners.