Giving
Our budget is more than numbers and our church is more than a building; they are a reflection of our values and our mission.
As each has received a gift, employ it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Why we pledge
We are grateful for all the financial support we receive. St. James Church, like each of us, has bills to pay, but we also have a call to use our gifts for the good of others. While any financial gift helps to support our mission to bring God’s love into the world, it is through pledging that we are able to run the church and love our neighbor through the ministries and outreach that make St. James who we are.
Gifts of stock
Donations can also be given in the form of stock. For more information, please contact our Business Manager, Bettylou O’Dell.
The St. James Church Legacy Society
At St. James Church we are called to faithful stewardship of God’s bounty entrusted to us, not only today but for generations to come. Since 1888 St. James Church has been a source of hope and faith to the community through worship and prayer, pastoral care, Christian formation, fellowship, and outreach. Planned giving is one way to ensure this sacred work continues long into the future.
A planned gift is a future gift arranged in your lifetime that supports the mission and ministry of St. James after your death. Anyone can make a planned gift. No amount is too small. A planned gift is about intention and not fortune. It is separate from an annual pledge.
Planned gifts support the St. James Endowment funds, which are professionally managed with the overall goal of maintaining the spending power of the assets in perpetuity. Each year a limited draw is taken that supports the operation of the church. We invite everyone to include St. James Church in your will. Joining the St. James Shell Society is an act of faith for the benefit of generations to come.
Ways to give
- A bequest in your will
- A Donor Advised Fund or Charitable Trust
- A designated beneficiary from an account, such as an IRA, life insurance policy, 401(k) or brokerage account
We recommend that you speak with your attorney or financial advisor to find the right path for you. Gifts should be designated to: The Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. James Episcopal Church in Upper Montclair, NJ.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Psalm 92:12, 14