most Frequently asked questions & answers
1. What is a capital campaign?
A capital campaign is a time-limited effort to raise money for a specific project. During a capital campaign, members are asked to consider making an additional commitment in order to fund a project. The giving period for a capital campaign is typically three years. A capital campaign differs from annual giving because it is generated in response to a high-priority need on the part of the congregation. A capital campaign has a definite beginning and endpoint, and a clearly identified outcome. Put simply: if you choose to give to the Building Faith capital campaign, you will know exactly what your money will be used for and what you can expect to achieve. 2. Why are we conducting a capital campaign at this time? With demonstrated commitment from all of us, Faith’s future as an active worshiping community is secure. It is now time to extend that security to the church building before the renovations and projects necessary to maintain it grow beyond the congregation’s grasp. By meeting these challenges now, the church can truly begin to focus its energy on mission and service. 3. What does our theme, "Building Faith" mean? Why “Building Faith”? The purpose of Building Faith is to build up the church for present and future ministry and at the same time to restore what has fallen into disrepair over the years. Thus, we are focusing on fundamental things like the roof and heat; worship things like an organ, sound, and lighting; welcoming things like wheelchair accessibility and more congenial restrooms. The church is not the building and the building not the church. We could worship elsewhere and the building could house other uses. But for over one hundred years this building, its changing congregation, and the Holy Spirit have worked together to be Faith church, providing spiritual nourishment, a place to worship God, and service to the wider community. It is our generation’s turn to make this possible for the people who will sit in these pews in the future, for our own ministry right now, and for those who come here seeking, however they might, to know God. 4. How were the repairs and improvements that will be funded the capital campaign chosen? The property committee, along with the church council, identified a list of projects and presented them to the congregation in the assessment report, administered by Kairos. Based on the results of the report, projects were prioritized either as critical, or important but not necessary at this time. 5. How does my response to the capital campaign affect my regular giving to the church? Your giving to this campaign is a totally new commitment, and is over and above your regular giving to the church. All the money received through this three-year campaign will be directly applied to the prioritized list of capital improvements and repairs. You will continue to support the current ministries and outreach of our congregation by undiminished, ongoing regular giving through your offerings. 6. When will I make my commitment? Everyone will have the opportunity to hand in their confidential commitment forms during worship on Commitment Sunday, Jan. 20. (Your commitment form is included in this packet.) If you are not ready to make your response that day or cannot attend worship on that weekend, you can simply return your commitment form in the envelope provided. 7. How much should I give? As you are considering the amount of your gift, reflect carefully on your budget and give what you are comfortable giving. You can change the amount of your gift or make additional payments as you can afford them. As you are deciding how much to give:
8. How long will my campaign commitment continue? The commitment is for three years and is over and above your regular giving to the congregation. Your commitment form gives you options for how to configure your gift, since not all people will want to give in the same way. Some will give one large, up-front gift, while others will give so much each week, month, etc. 9. May I give stocks, real estate, insurance, IRA transfers or other gifts in kind in addition to cash gifting? Absolutely! You are encouraged to think of assets in addition to cash. For many people this is the best, (and smartest), way to give. Giving stocks, IRA transfers, property, jewelry, cars, or other appreciated assets as charitable donations is beneficial to both you and the church. If you think you would benefit from more information on this topic, call Pastor Renee LiaBraaten @ 207-751-7371 or the corporate office of Kairos @ 1-800-851-3019. 10. What if my financial situation changes or I move out of the area before the end of the three-year giving period? At any time during the giving phase, your commitment may be changed by notifying the treasurer. If you should move out of the area, we hope you would become involved in another congregation and offer them your support. We will be honored and grateful if you are willing to fulfill your total commitment, but you are certainly under no obligation to do so. 11. What is the long term strategy for church maintenance? It is important to see maintenance as a continual process. It is more efficient and saves time and money by limiting and preventing the need for future expensive repair work. In order to sustain the work undertaken during Building Faith, a program should be implemented to include:
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