Questions & Answers
What is the Raising the Roof of Faith Fund Appeal?
All Saints Lutheran Church’s mission is to know, follow and share Christ. To help fulfill our mission we are conducting the Raising the Roof of Faith Fund Appeal to raise the money needed to:
• Renovate and expand our church building through our Building Fund
• Support our growing ministries in 2008 through our General Ministry Fund
How much money do we want to raise?
Our goals are to:
• Raise $600,000 to $750,000 in Initial Gifts and three-year building fund commitments for our Phase One building plan
• Increase the financial support for our ministries through the 2008 General Ministry Fund Providing financial support for our ministries in 2008 must be the priority for our giving. Contributions to the building fund will be OVER and ABOVE our offerings for ministry and mission.
How will the building funds be used?
The building fund will help All Saints construct Phase One of its Master Plan. Phase One includes classrooms, additional worship space, meeting rooms, offices and storage. The estimated cost of Phase One is $1.5 million.
How will the building plan be financed?
Building fund offerings received before groundbreaking and during construction will pay the interest on the construction loan and provide a down payment on the Phase One building plan. The remainder of the construction costs will be paid through a mortgage. Our current debt of about $150,000 will be included in our new mortgage. Contributions during the remainder of the three-year faith promise period will help pay the debt service on the new mortgage.
Are we certain of the need for a renovated and updated building?
Yes, most definitely! We have been blessed with a growing congregation and a growing ministry. Because of our growth and our many exciting ministries we need more room. We need more room for our Sunday School, small groups, worship space for current needs and guests in the future, for musicians, choirs and equipment and more offices and storage. We need to expand and update our church building to better serve our mission partners and our community.
What is the timetable for construction?
The timetable for construction will be determined by the mission partners of the congregation when they have reviewed and finalized the building and financing plans.
What happens at the end of the three-year faith promise period?
In three years we will evaluate our congregation’s financial situation. Depending upon the total cost of the new building and the amount of money borrowed we may need to renew our building fund faith promises.
How will the 2008 General Ministry funds be used?
General Ministry Fund faith promises will allow All Saints to continue providing uplifting worship, exciting Christian Education and youth programs, fellowship groups and mission outreach in 2008.
How can I make my gifts to the Raising the Roof of Faith Fund Appeal?
Each household is asked to prayerfully consider two faith promises:
Building Fund Faith Promise– We encourage you to make an Initial Gift and a three-year faith promise. Initial Gifts are given at the time you make your faith promise.
General Ministry Fund Faith Promise– To support the growing ministry of our church in 2008, we encourage you to increase your General Ministry Fund faith promise.
(You may download a pdf of the Promise cards from the links above)
In 2007, you may fulfill your three-year building fund commitment by making gift installments every week or month by writing “Building Fund” on the Designated Giving line on your offering envelopes. In 2008, there will be a “Building Fund” line on your offering envelopes.
The following giving table may be helpful in planning your gifts. Here’s how a weekly gift can grow in size over a one or three-year period:
May I make my contributions by automatic withdrawal from my checking account?
If you want to have your financial contributions automatically withdrawn from your checking account using Thrivent’s “Simply Giving” program, please contact Georgia Wagaman in the church office.
When do my new faith promises begin?
Building Fund faith promises begin Sunday, October 14, 2007. General Ministry Fund faith promises begin January 1, 2008.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, gifts are tax deductible if you itemize your contributions when filing your tax return. If you have questions about the tax implications of your gift, please consult your tax advisor.
May I contribute gifts other than cash?
Besides cash, you may contribute gifts of stock, property, life insurance and other securities. If you need assistance making a gift of stock, please contact our church treasurer, Dan Owens, by phone at 608-848-8809 or by email at datowens@charter.net for further information.
May we encourage friends of All Saints Lutheran Church to make a building fund gift?
Yes, if you would like to encourage a friend, relative or former mission partners to make a financial faith promise or a one-time gift, please do so. If you would like us to mail them a brochure and faith promise card, please give the name and address to Georgia Wagaman by phone at 608-276-7729 or by email at georgia@allsaints-madison.org.
How can I help make this appeal a success?
• By prayerfully responding to God’s gift of love with your generous gifts
• By attending an Appeal Gathering on Sunday, September 23 at either 9:30 am or 11:45 am
• By returning your commitment cards as part of worship on Commitment Sunday, October 7
• By praying for the success of our Building and General Ministry Fund Appeal and asking God to bless us as we raise the roof of faith!
All Saints Lutheran Church
2951 Chapel Valley Road
Fitchburg, WI 53711
(608) 276-7729