Arlington Hills UMC

Online Donations

Electronic Giving

We have an electronic option for making regular offerings to Arlington Hills UMC. This electronic giving program, known as Direct Debit Giving, offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. Contributions are debited automatically from your checking or savings account on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this allows your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis.

Begin using Vanco services now by clicking on this button... 

Need more information? Read the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Direct Debit Giving

 

Q. What are the major advantages of electronic giving by direct debit?

A. Direct debit is all about convenience for you and consistency for the church. Electronic giving eliminates frequent check writing and helps members stay on track with pledges even when they are unable to attend services. The church in turn benefits from much-needed donation consistency and a reduction in the volume of check and cash contributions that must be handled and manually processed in the church office.

 

Q. How does Direct Debit Giving work?

A. Contributions are transferred automatically from your checking or savings account to the church’s bank account.

 

Q. How are my automatic contributions deducted and transferred?

A. Contributions are transferred through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network—the same network already used by families to make mortgage and utility payments or to receive payroll earnings and Social Security income. Direct Debit goes by other names including Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), automatic payment, or simply, ACH.

 

Q. When will my contribution be debited from my account?

A. A debit to your account will occur at the times you selected (monthly, weekly, bi-weekly) on the date you specify when you submit your authorization.

 

Q. How will I keep track of contributions in my check register?

A. Since your contribution is made at a pre-established time, you simply record it in your check register on the appropriate date. Electronic contributions will appear on your bank statement.

 

Q. What can I use to prove I made a contribution?

A. The church will continue to mail contribution statements on a regular basis.  Your electronic payments will be included on the statements. In addition, your bank statement will show an itemized list of electronic transactions that can be used as proof of your contributions.

 

Q. Is giving by direct debit risky?

A. It is certainly less risky than writing checks or carrying cash to church. To process electronic donations, the church uses Vanco Services, LLC—an established and highly-regarded company that moves funds directly from church members to the church on the same day without any delay. Vanco processes contributions for more than 10,000 churches and nonprofit organizations.

 

Q. How much does direct debit giving cost?

A. It costs you nothing and it costs the church very little. It is the lowest cost method of transferring funds.

 

Q. What if I try electronic giving by direct debit and don’t like it?

A. You can cancel your authorization at any time by notifying the church.

 

Q. I like to be able to put something in the collection plate during the church service. How do I satisfy this desire ?

A. We will have a basket with some laminated “I give electronically” cards in the narthex. Take one of these cards and put it in the collection plate when passed.

 

Q. How can I sign up for electronic giving by direct debit?

A. There are two ways to initiate this plan.

 

1. Via the internet, click this button to go to a secure Vanco website to enter the information that is required to facilitate the process. This information is held private and can be modified by you at any time (new account number, change giving frequency, change amount, etc.) Using this process, your email address will be used as your on-line account number.

 

2. If you don’t use the internet, click HERE to download a form for you to complete and turn in to our office. It will ask for the same information as the website. Simply print the form, add the required information, attach a voided check or deposit slip for your account, and return the form to the Arlington Hills office.

 

Still have questions?  Call Cindy at the Arlington Hills UMC office 651.776.1547.