Stewardship & Giving
Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:21)
Generously responding to God’s gifts is a reflection of spirituality and recognition that we are the stewards of his bounty. It is a way of life — something we do day in and day out. In addition to weekly offerings and other direct donations, there are several avenues for giving at the Cathedral.
In addition to making an annual pledge to Christ Church Cathedral as part of the Every Member Canvass, there are many other ways to support the ministries, pastoral care, education, vitality, and growth of Christ Church Cathedral.
Chief Administrative Officer and Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik (713-590-3338) can answer your questions or help you with any step in these processes.
The Cathedral Endowment
Preserving our Future
Without the Endowment, the Cathedral would be a very different place. The Endowment has supported the mission and ministries through good times and bad, and has played an integral role in the creation of several outreach facilities such as Omega House, COMPASS, New Hope Housing, and The Beacon. We have been able to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and those who come after us must be able to do the same.
There are several ways to give to the Endowment. You may directly donate cash or securities, or you may include the Cathedral in your estate planning by joining the Bishop Richardson Society (see below).
The Bishop Richardson Society
Planned Giving
The Bishop Richardson Society has been established to recognize those who have made bequests to the Cathedral in their wills or other estate plans. Those who have remembered Christ Church Cathedral in their financial planning; i.e., wills, trusts, annuities, insurance are recognized each year on Loyalty Sunday at the 11 a.m. service and have their names added to the ground plaque near the Cathedral's front door. All that is required is that you notify the Cathedral that you have made the appropriate arrangements.
General Donations
There are numerous ways to give to the support of the Cathedral beyond the programs listed above. If you wish to make a memorial donation, a contribution to a specific program, ministry or mission, or simply want to donate to the Cathedral's ministry and mission in general, this can be handled in several ways. Please see our options and methods for giving or simply give online.
Stewardship at the Cathedral is not merely fundraising.
It is a grateful response to God's many blessings. It is more than an annual EMC fund drive, a capital campaign, and a planned giving society, though to be sure those are extremely important in sustaining our ministries and mission. Becoming good stewards for us is centered in our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons. That covenant informs all that we do here at Christ Church Cathedral, steering us to find ways to express our profound gratitude for what God has done in our lives and locate ways to give back to the world he loves and redeems.
Ways to Give
Donations of cash or check are graciously accepted. These gifts can be placed in the offering plate during worship services, dropped off in the Cathedral offices, or mailed to 1117 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002. Checks or money orders should be made out to Christ Church Cathedral. To receive credit for cash donations, an envelope with donor name noted is required.
Online Giving
If this is your first experience with the Cathedral’s online giving system, please create a profile. This stores your information so that it is unnecessary to re-enter it with each gift.
Credit Cards
Simplify your giving by authorizing an automated transfer of funds for your regular giving to Christ Church Cathedral. These transfers are made on the 16th of each month via credit card. Simply fill out the “Authorization Form” available in the church office, or download the form here: Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF).
Submit the form in person or via mail to the attention of the Finance Office. Once we receive your form, we will contact you to confirm the information. You may discontinue the debits at any time. You may also set up automatic payments through Automatic Billpay within your financial institution.
Gifts of Stock
Stock may be donated to Christ Church Cathedral by transferring investments to our account at Raymond James and Associates. Please read the transfer instructions (PDF).
Planned Giving Options
It is easy to add a sentence (codicil) to your will indicating a bequest to the Endowment Fund. You may send your attorney a brief note indicating the amount or percentage of your estate you wish to leave.
- Sample letter (PDF)
- Sample codicil (PDF)
- How to phrase a bequest to the Endowment in your will (PDF)
- How to make a gift of securities (PDF)
Charitable Trusts
Trusts are one of the most flexible vehicles available for gifting to the Cathedral. You can stipulate how, and where, you would like your gift to be used. In some cases, you can leave a gift to the Cathedral, and an equal amount to your heirs. Most trusts will allow sizable savings on inheritance and estate taxes. Always consult your financial advisers for the details.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is generally a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of your IRA (other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA) to an organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. You must be at least age 70½ when the distribution was made. Also, you must have the same type of acknowledgment of your contribution that you would need to claim a deduction for charitable contribution. See Records To Keep in IRS Pub. 526.
The maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is $100,000. Any QCD in excess of the $100,000 exclusion limit is included in income as any other distribution. If you file a joint return, your spouse can also have a QCD and exclude up to $100,000. The amount of the QCD is limited to the amount of the distribution that would otherwise be included in income. If your IRA includes nondeductible contributions, the distribution is first considered to be paid out of otherwise taxable income. Please consult your tax professional concerning any questions.
Need More Help?
If we’ve left you with unanswered questions, contact Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik (713-590-3338).
Chief Operating Officer & Minister for Stewardship
