Freely Give
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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). |
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A Letter from Fr. Symeon Kees
| letter_from_father_symeon.pdf |
A Letter from the Stewardship Committee
| letter_from_the_stewardship_committee.pdf |
SWOT Analysis Documents
Here is a version of the SWOT Analysis in Word format:
| swot_letter_to_community__iowa_city_-_st._raphael__working_copy.doc |
Here is a version of the SWOT Analysis in PDF format:
| swot_letter_to_community_working_copy.pdf |
Ways to Donate and Pledge
St. Raphael Church would not exist without you – it is through your faithful giving of your time, talent, and treasures that we are able to serve our neighbors and join together as a family to share the light of Christ in Iowa City and surrounding communities. Your gifts make it possible for us to employ a full-time priest, maintain our beautiful historic building, and minister to our community through our food pantry, outreach events, and more. We joyfully give back to Christ by supporting the church financially, because He has given so much to us.
St. Raphael Orthodox Church’s 2023 operating needs are estimated at $13,500 per month.
Our only source of income is contributions from our members and friends in the form of regular pledges or one-time donations and gifts.
St. Raphael Orthodox Church’s 2023 operating needs are estimated at $13,500 per month.
Our only source of income is contributions from our members and friends in the form of regular pledges or one-time donations and gifts.
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Ways to give:
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 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. If you'd like to commit to giving regularly, complete our web Pledge Form (no bank info is collected on this form), or download the PDF to print. Mail it to the church, or put it into one of the wooden donation boxes. God calls us to joyfully give back to the church a tithe (1/10th) of the abundance He has given us. If you are still working up to a tithe, choose another percentage of your income to give faithfully in the year to come. Please consider joining in the “Round-Up Challenge,” calculating the amount you gave over the past year and simply rounding up to the nearest whole percentage (for example, 2.0% and 2.6% would both round up to 3%). The table below can help you determine the monthly amount that constitutes various percentages of your income. Tithing can require a leap of faith, but it provides many spiritual benefits! If you have any questions about spiritual practice of tithing, Fr. Symeon is happy to discuss at any time. |
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Choose What to Give Toward
When making yearly pledges, most of us primarily give undesignated gifts that can be used as needed to support our ministries. Other ways to direct your giving (listed below) may be designated on the Pledge Form and as "Designations" on the blue donation form above.
Operating Expenses: This includes a tithe to the archdiocese, building insurance and utilities, mortgage payment, building repairs, priest salary and benefits, priest travel, and ongoing ministries such as choir, OCF, Sunday School, liturgical supplies, and stewardship.
Outreach Ministries: This includes the benevolence fund, our food pantry, and charitable giving.
Special Projects: This includes building our kitchen, mortgage retirement.
Operating Expenses: This includes a tithe to the archdiocese, building insurance and utilities, mortgage payment, building repairs, priest salary and benefits, priest travel, and ongoing ministries such as choir, OCF, Sunday School, liturgical supplies, and stewardship.
Outreach Ministries: This includes the benevolence fund, our food pantry, and charitable giving.
Special Projects: This includes building our kitchen, mortgage retirement.
Other Ways to Contribute
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Consignment Accounts
Contribute Toward Our Mortgage Without Spending a Dime! Support St. Raphael Church while cleaning out your closet and decluttering your home. Consign items under the church's account numbers at Stuff, Etc East, Kidsworks, or Houseworks and 100% of the proceeds will go toward our mortgage principal. Stuff, Etc. East - Account no. 22791 (319) 338-9909, 851 Hwy 6 E, Iowa City Consign on a walk-in basis Tuesday-Saturday. One plastic tote (provided) and up to 5 larger items per person per visit. Any unaccepted items will be donated. Furniture is accepted seven days per week; drive around to the back of the building. Houseworks - Account no. 019823 319-338-4357, 1800 Stevens Dr, Iowa City Call ahead for a consignment appointment. Items accepted include kitchenware, furniture, décor, some media (e.g. DVDs). Kidworks - Account no. 19451 (319) 337-3921, 111 Stevens Dr, Iowa City Call ahead to make an appointment and to confirm types of items being accepted (e.g. in December they’re taking winter). Appointments are usually 9-9:45am M-S; Sundays 10-11:45 am; there are occasionally afternoon appointments available, particularly on weekends. Items must be free of rips, holes, stains, missing buttons, broken zippers, etc. Unaccepted items are donated to Heartland AEA. |
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