With summer upon us, many of us will find ourselves away on vacation, enjoying the visits of extended family or perhaps enjoying a rare day to ourselves. Our church has several ways that enable you to still give on a regular basis, even when you can’t be here.

Our church offers personal numbered envelopes in which you can contribute to the collection bag when you are attending. The number on the envelope is assigned to you so your contributions will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt at the end of the year. Contact the church office if you would like to enroll in this program. Similarly, there are generic offering envelopes available in all of the pews that you can use. Simply fill in your name and address or email address and place in the collection bag with your offering indicating where you would like the offering allocated. A donation tax receipt will be sent to you at year-end.

The “Bridge App” (available in the Apple Store and Google Play) allows you to electronically make a contribution to any or all of our church budget, collections or benevolence and is automatically deposited into the church bank account. When you download the app and your log-in has been approved, simply locate the “Give” tab and follow the prompts. You can do a one-time electronic transfer or you can set up reoccurring donations. Payment can be made either by credit card (there is a fee charged to the church for this) or with your banking information (there is no fee for this method). Setting up a weekly or monthly recurring contribution ensures that giving still takes place even if you’re unable to attend and assures a regular amount being received for monthly budget expenses. You will receive a tax donation receipt at year-end. For more information on the app or how to use, contact Linda DeBoer, Bookkeeper, at [email protected]

Our church offers a “Coupon Program” in which you can purchase coupons in $2, $5, $10 and $50 denominations. Members typically buy a quantity of coupons at one time to supply them for a few months or a half year. The benefit of the program is that your purchase of the coupons is eligible for a charitable tax donation receipt and it offers you flexibility to allocate your coupons in whatever amount to the different causes by placing them in the collection bag for that cause. To purchase coupons, write a cheque for the total dollar amount of coupons you would like and note on the cheque the denominations you would like the coupons in. Place your cheque in the collection bag and the counting committee will process your request and your coupons will be placed in your church mailbox.

Cheques can also be dropped through the mail slot at the New Life Centre located beside the Church or mailed to First CRC, PO Box 131, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 5P1 – be sure to include a note regarding allocation of where you want the funds applied.

We are certainly blessed to be able offer different ways of giving to the Lord and to our church. Cash is certainly always welcome but can only be eligible for a charitable tax receipt if submitted in a labeled envelope. If you have any questions at all, please contact either the church office at 519-376-2787 or our bookkeeper Linda DeBoer at [email protected]

Deacons