Give

Thank you for considering a financial gift to Crossroads United Church

From its founding, Crossroads United Church has been built on a foundation of faith, stewardship, service and love that still enlivens our community today. Crossroads is a hospitable and busy faith community, hosting ministries for all ages, forming Christians who practice deep hospitality, who struggle with hard questions, and who seek to use their God-given gifts in the world. Crossroads is a diverse and warm community of faith, made up of regular people who want to know God, follow Jesus, and make a difference together in the world.

There are many convenient ways to financially support your Crossroads community. Each method enables Crossroads to provide you with an annual charitable donation receipt that you can use to reduce your taxes when you file your income tax return.

What is the best way for me to give?

The most effective way to give is through PAR (pre-authorized remittance). PAR is an automatic debit from your bank account where 100% of your donation goes to Crossroads.

Why is PAR the best way to give to Crossroads?

• 100% of your donation goes directly to Crossroads
• you decide annually the monthly gift that you would like to make, and you can change it if your circumstances change
• your gift counts even on the Sundays you aren’t able to attend worship
• the church is able to plan ahead for our ministries

Ok, sounds good. How do I sign up for PAR?
Be in touch with our bookkeeper, Heather Burdett, and she’ll put you in touch with the right people and paperwork

Are there other ways for me to give?

Yes, in addition to PAR, donations can be made using the following options:

Cash or Cheque

Guest envelopes are available beside the offering boxes. Personalized envelopes can be requested for the year in advance through our bookkeeper, Heather Burdett.

e-Transfer

Crossroads can now accept financial gifts via e-transfer. Your donation will be deposited automatically in the church’s account without having to enter a security question and answer. Please use the memo field to direct your donation to the ministry area(s) you intend to support.

To set up Crossroads as a new e-transfer recipient in online banking, please use:

Recipient name:  Crossroads United Church
Recipient email:  donate@crossroads-united-church.ca

Legacy Bequest

A bequest is a gift made through your will. This kind of gift is a commitment to the ministry of your church that reaches beyond your own life and into the future. There are significant tax benefits that accrue to your estate through bequests, lowering tax liabilities and leaving more of your estate intact for your heirs. The United Church employs a Planned Giving coordinator who can explain all the options. For more information and to be put in touch with our Planning Giving expert in BC, contact our bookkeeper, Heather Burdett for more information.

CanadaHelps

If you give to Crossroads through the CanadaHelps site, your charitable receipt will come directly from Canada Helps for the full amount of your donation.

CanadaHelps is a non-profit organization. 1.8% of your donation ensures CanadaHelps can continue to provide charities with affordable access to online fundraising and educational tools. Like all online transactions, online charitable gifts are subject to 3.5% transaction processing fees from credit card companies. Click Here to Donate

What percentage of my gift goes to Crossroads?

United Church of Canada Giving Programs

The Mission and Service Fund — National and International Ministry Support
The Mission and Service Fund is the only fund in which members and friends of the United Church of Canada pool their givings. Through the Mission and Service Fund, we collectively live out the words of our creed: “…to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, and to seek justice and resist evil.”

The Mission and Service Fund supports theological colleges, staffing for the national church, presbyteries and Conferences, core funding to 170 congregations in Canada (including indigenous ministries), overseas personnel, chaplaincies, global partnerships, social ministries in Canada (such as First United in the downtown eastside of Vancouver), justice and environmental advocacy, and ecumenical partnerships.

Also, each year emergency funds are allocated in the national church’s budget from the Mission and Service Fund for response to global emergency needs which enables the United Church of Canada to respond rapidly when needs are critical. In addition to the Mission and Service Fund “emergencies” budget, the church also regularly draws on United Church equity in the Canada Foodgrains Bank to respond to critical food needs in other countries.

At Crossroads we encourage our members to make an annual commitment to both Crossroads United Church and the United Church Mission and Service Fund.