Ways to Donate at SUM

As most of you know, we finished 2023 with a deficit in our operating budget, and we had a very ambitious stewardship campaign to enable us to continue all the good work we do here at SUM during 2024. With more attention on our budget, we want to offer more and different payment options to support your pledges and donations to the church.

Traditionally, everyone came to church on Sunday mornings and put their cash or check in the offering plate. If you didn’t have any cash or forgot your checkbook, you could mail something to the office. With the advent of online banking, it became easy to set up recurring payments, so you wouldn’t have to think about it every week or month.

All of these payment options are still welcome!

However, now you have another option! You can make your donation online by clicking on the blue “Donate” button on the top of our website (sumct.org) or you can use your smartphone and scan the QR code right here! Your phone’s camera will detect the code, and when you click the link that says secure.myvanco.com you will be directed to the same page. You’ll recognize the church’s SUM logo, and you’ll have the option of setting up a one-time or recurring payment. Payment options include a credit card (and earn those rewards points!), a debit card, or your bank account. And you can increase your donation amount slightly to cover the payment processing fee that will be charged to the church (thank you very much for considering this). This will look similar to online shopping where your donation will be put in your “basket” in case you want to donate to other funds at SUM including flowers, special offerings, or outreach ministries. The general offering will be applied to your annual pledge, if you made one.

Remember, cash or checks in the plate on Sundays are always welcome. If you want to mail a check, please make payable to SUM and mail to 799 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury CT, 06070. If you use Venmo from time to time, please note that we will be phasing that out this year.

You will start noticing QR codes appearing in church and on the slides during services. So, if you see someone aiming their phone at the monitor during the offertory, they’re not being rude, they’re just making their donation – and that’s a good thing!

Thank you for your continued support of the church and its ministries. If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Jennifer Acheson, Finance Chair