Annual Financial Campaign

As Downers Grove First United Methodist celebrates its 175-year anniversary, it is a time to reflect upon our history and the integral role we have played in our local community. Our church is centered around God through music, fellowship, missions, and education. As we embrace our past, let us also look forward to the future. Your financial support is critical to our future. Our ministries at Downers Grove First United Methodist are vast and diverse. They require staff, program materials and a well-maintained building and grounds to carry out all of these important ministries dear to our church family.

Our 2012 annual financial campaign consists of two main funds that we are asking you to support through your pledge dollars. Our Operating fund covers all our normal church expenditures such as salaries, utilities, building maintenance, educational materials and a wide range of programs. Our Mortgage fund covers the mortgage note payments. Funding both of these areas is essential to our church operations.

At First United Methodist of Downers Grove, we believe that Christ encourages all to give in a joyful, heartfelt and sacrificial giving manner. The table listed below is intended to aid you in estimating your monthly financial gifts in relation to your annual income.

May your giving be a joy to you, as it helps to accomplish God’s work in our congregation and in our world.

Download the 2012 pledge card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Operating Fund and the Mortgage Fund?

The operating fund is the foundation of our church budget. The operating fund supports salaries/benefits, building utilities and maintenance, music, adult and youth educational program events and curriculum, outreach programs and Northern Illinois Conference apportionment. The mortgage fund pays the principal and interest payments on church debt.

Is a Capital Campaign the same as the mortgage fund?

No. DGFUMC is currently running a special, one-year capital campaign to complete the expansion of the North parking lot and to retire a portion of the long-term debt on the church’s financial statements. The mortgage fund is part of DGFUMC’s regular annual financial campaign and pays the principal and interest payments on current bank debt.

What is the Northern Illinois Apportionment?

DGFUMC belongs to the Northern Illinois District. Apportionment is simply an amount that we pay to our district. As a connectional church, United Methodists know that we are all connected in many ways. Our connectional giving through apportionments is one of the most significant ways in which we stay connected to each other and to our shared mission. Because of our faithful support of apportionments, we are connected to the thousands upon thousands of missions and ministries being carried out in our local churches, clusters, districts, conferences, and as a denomination. DGFUMC has proudly and faithfully always paid their Northern Illinois apportionment in full.

What does it mean to tithe?

To tithe is to set aside one-tenth of one's income for God as is specifically noted in the Bible. Tithing has been the traditional minimum standard of giving for Christians. The United Methodist Church has taken the official position that tithing is the standard for United Methodists, and the practice of tithing is to be actively encouraged in every local church.