​​Freely Give

We live out our faith in Jesus Christ by
serving others and by supporting His Church. 
As Jesus said, "Freely you have received,
​freely give" (Matthew 10:8). 

Ways to Donate and Pledge

We joyfully give back to Christ by supporting the church financially, because He has given so much to us. And unlike in the Old Country, our church is not supported by the government. 
Ways to give:

• With a credit card or PayPal, give using the blue donation form below. Choose specific amounts and specific projects to give to. You can also create an automatic monthly donation.
  
• Give money at the church any time by placing it in a donation box on the wall by the candle box in the entryway or right inside the nave (sanctuary) doors. No amount is too small, but we encourage you to give faithfully. 
• Send  a check to St Raphael Orthodox Church, 722 E. College, Iowa City, IA 52240.
  
• If you have questions, email our treasurer. 
  

Make a financial commitment:

• We encourage everyone to make a commitment to give a certain amount each year. No amount is too small. Most people fulfill (or pay) their pledge by giving a monthly donation. Some give a single large annual gift. However you choose to give, having pledges makes our annual budgeting possible.  Download our Pledge Form  if you'd like to commit to giving regularly.  Mail it to the church, or leave it in the treasurer's inbox on the filing cabinet in the church office during open hours.
  

We also often need olive oil for our oil lamps (regular, not extra virgin, as it burns too hot). It can be left in the church office.

AmazonSmile
​Do you shop on Amazon? If so, there is an easy way to benefit the church while doing so. Go to smile.amazon.com, where you'll find all of the items for purchase (at the same prices) as are found on the main site.  Once you sign in, you will be asked what charity you would like to benefit.  Enter St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Christian Mission and 0.5% of qualifying purchases will be given back to the church.  It's that simple.

​ Financial basics: St. Raphael Orthodox Church operates as a financially independent entity—that is, the church is fully responsible for budgeting its income and its expenses, and maintaining the balance of the two. Our expenses include clergy (mainly compensation for our priest), maintenance of our building (including mortgage and all utilities), charity, supporting the archdiocese, and a few other expenses. Our only source of income is contributions from our members and friends in form of regular pledges or one-time donations and gifts. (You are welcome to look at the Treasurer’s Report for a more detailed view of our financial situation.) ​

Choose What to Give Toward

When making yearly pledges, most of us give primarily toward the most important needs: Operating Expenses and the Building Fund. Other ways to direct your giving (listed below) are also on the downloadable Pledge Form and as "Designations" on the blue donation form above.

Main expenses:

• Operating Expenses: St. Raphael Orthodox Church’s 2020 operating budget needs (excluding mortgage) are estimated around $9,360 per month. This includes a partial tithe to the archdiocese, building insurance and utilities, and priest salary and benefits.         
• Building Fund: Our monthly mortgage payment is $1,851.

 
Other expenses:

• Food Pantry: Our food pantry is open regularly to those in need.
• Building Improvement/Special Projects: Currently this goes toward repair and upkeep costs and to the creation of our new kitchen.                  
• Benevolence Fund: This is for small cash gifts given by our priest to those with emergency needs.
• Sunday School: Currently not a part of our operating expenses, Sunday school supplies are essential for learning.

Current Projects

 Our New Kitchen 
​​A longtime dream is coming true. We have begun the process of planning a full-service kitchen off the corner of our fellowship hall in the  basement, where the piano now sits. Just imagine! No more food slopping around in the car on the way to church.
​     To give toward the kitchen: Write "Kitchen" in the subject line of your check. Or in the blue donation box above, click on  the designation "Building Improvement/Special Projects."