December 16, 2019

Dear friends and fellow disciples,

God gives us countless gifts in our lifetimes. In response to God’s boundless love, we believe we are called to joyfully and gratefully give.

As December 31 draws near, it is important we all answer Christ’s call to give. Our finance team is standing by to answer any questions you may have about giving to Westminster, your 2019 pledge, year-end donations, your Capital Campaign gift, and other financial matters. A few things to note as the year’s end approaches: 

Christmas Eve Offering This should be a priority. This important Westminster tradition is an opportunity to share what we have directly with our community. This year’s recipient is Durham Habitat for Humanity . As we heard yesterday in worship, our offering will be the lead gift as Habitat, for the first time in a few years, embarks upon a faith building program in a new neighborhood this spring. We have a chance to help provide a family a home, which is a truly extraordinary opportunity. Please give generously .

After you make a gift to the Christmas Eve Offering, I want to also challenge you to support the work of this church.

Year-End Gifts   Income tax regulations specify that a check dated December 31, 2019, but physically delivered in January 2020 is deductible only on the donor’s 2020 federal tax return. Even if a donor backdates a check to read “December 31, 2019,” but gives it to the church on or after January 1, 2020, it will be considered a 2020 donation. Only a check that is dated and received, and/or postmarked by December 31, 2019, can be considered a 2019 gift for tax purposes.

Completing Your 2019 Pledge of Giving   If you’ve fallen behind on your 2019 pledged giving, we encourage you to try to catch up before the year is over. You can log in to myWPC to check your balance, or contact Sharon Morgan to help you determine the amount remaining on your 2019 pledge. Your consistent financial support is essential for ministry here at Westminster, in Durham, and beyond.

Planning to donate a stock Gift to WPC?     If you would like to donate a gift of stock to the church, please be sure to contact our business office with the details of the stock you’re donating and how you’d like the money attributed (example: operating budget or capital campaign), so your gift can be properly recorded. Please note: The church’s Morgan Stanley account number has changed. If you need instructions on donating stock to the church, Sharon will be happy to help.

Giving Through the Charitable IRA Rollover   A popular giving option is the Charitable IRA Rollover (or "qualified charitable distribution"). If you are age 70-1/2 or older, you can transfer a gift directly to Westminster from your IRA (not a 401(k) or other type of retirement plan). You do not have to recognize the transfer as taxable income, and you can count the amount transferred toward your required minimum distribution for 2019. Please contact your financial advisor and notify the church’s business office if you are considering this option for a year-end gift to Westminster. 

Giving to Westminster in 2020 We are working to finalize the church’s 2020 operating budget. About 90% of the budget is secured from our pledges, so every response makes a difference. If you haven’t sent in your 2020 pledge of giving, please take a moment to do so today. You can make your pledge right now through myWPC , or download a 2020 Commitment Card, fill it out, and mail it to church. Or, you can just email your 2020 pledge details directly to Sharon at sharon@wpcdurham.org . Choose the method most convenient to you, and know that we greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for all the ways you support the mission and ministry
of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Merry Christmas!