The end of the year brings changes to normal routines. We have many year-end activities here at the office, which occur only now at the end of December or the beginning of January. You do, too – Christmas celebrations and family get-togethers topping the list. Many of you also arrange to complete your annual charitable giving goals. You will be pleased to know that we have made some changes during the past 12 months, which should make year-end giving a bit easier.
We implemented a new donation database at the end of 2011. It is now fully functional and offers donors some opportunities that were not available previously. We can now, for example, easily change the way that you receive your receipts: you can receive a paper receipt in the mailed, an electronic receipt by email, or both. It has been our practice to send receipts with each donation, but we can now change that setting as well. You can receive a receipt with every donation or a year-end statement if that is what you prefer, electronically or by mail. If you would like to change the method or frequency in which you receive receipts, please contact our Business Office at business_office@wmpl.org or call 612.871.6843.
Our new database has also made on-line giving easier. At wmpl.org on the web you will now find a “donate” tab on the right side of the menu bar at the top of every page. The link has made online credit-card donations easier than before, and has added the option of electronic fund transfer (EFT) contributions. An EFT is equivalent to an electronic check, and does not involve the fees that a credit-card donation carries. You will want to keep in mind, however, that EFT donations are debited from your checking account immediately. Automatic recurring donations can also be set-up simply, and can be made by either credit card or EFT. Remember that online gifts submitted anytime on or before December 31 will be considered tax-deductible contributions for the year 2012.
Many people make donations of stocks as a part of their year –end giving strategy, too. If you have any questions about making a donation of stock, please contact our Business Office at the email address or phone number listed previously.
In October we were able to pay all of our missionaries 100 percent of the target allowance. We used $33,389 from the general fund to meet all of the needs leaving the general fund balance at $84,626. At the end of October the benefits fund had a balance of $138,413. Thank you for your on-going support. May the Lord bless each of you richly as you celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas season!