wfn.org | Program enables church members to give electronically

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Jan. 8, 2003  News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202) 546-87227Washington
10-71B{008}
 
By United Methodist News Service

Giving to your local church has just become easier. United Methodists
throughout the United States can now make their church contributions through
electronic funds transfers.

The United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer program allows participants to
contribute to their local congregation by means of an authorized, recurring
financial transfer directly from their checking or savings account to the
church account. The program was sponsored and tested by the denomination's
financial agency, the General Council on Finance and Administration,
headquartered in Evanston, Ill. 

Such fund transfers are familiar to many church members who already use this
technology for making recurrent payments for their monthly mortgage, car
loans or other regular financial commitments. 

The new service will make it easier for United Methodists to honor their
pledges, and it will reduce the fluctuation that churches see in
contributions during the year, the council says.

Congregations of any size can participate in the program, which is affordable
and has no initial set-up fee, according to the agency.

Information about the program is available on the council's Web site,
www.gcfa.org.	

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United Methodist News Service
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