Pre-Authorized Remittance P.A.R.

Why P.A.R?? Why Now?? We traditionally rely on people putting money in the collection Plate. Today we have Less People who attend Church every Sunday. –Young Families are busy on weekends. –Grandparents are “better off” and more mobile. –Some Older members may find it difficult to get to Church. –Some folks have gotten away from the church.

Church members don’t always make up lost weeks. People who contribute regularly to the church, and miss some Sundays, often don’t think about doubling up or tripling up when they return.

P.A.R is an intentional ASK 8 out of 10 people who are asked to give respond favourably. Many people who are asked to consider increasing their giving, will also do so. PAR gives people an opportunity to prayerfully consider their level of giving to the church.

What is P.A.R.? A United Church administered program that allows people to financially support their Church through an automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank account. Similar to programs offered by banks and other companies. (e.g. hydro, telephone, mortgage and car payments, etc.)

How does PAR work? Once a month all PAR givings are debited from givers accounts and then the total, less the service fee, is electronically transferred to their local church accounts. People sign up and give directions as to where their monthly donation will go. For instance, people may give to the Local Church, to the M&S Fund, and to one other account (say the Building Fund). People decide, up front, how much to give to what, but may change their wishes at any time.

How much does PAR cost? The cost of the program is 50 cents per person per month. The maximum monthly fee to your church is $45, no matter how many more than 90 are signed up.

Why should my congregation consider PAR? PAR regulates a congregation’s income. PAR givers tend to give more to the Church … because they never miss a Sunday! –The average PAR donation to local church is $ per month. –The overall national average is only $96.00 per month

What is the general response to PAR? Some of the original congregations have been using PAR for 20 years now. Very few givers who join the PAR program decide to leave it. People have said that they find it very convenient and that it allows them to give to their church consistently. At present there are approximately 42,880 PAR givers representing more than 1200 congregations.

Is there a Minimum number of people needed to go on PAR? No, there is no minimum number of givers required to begin the PAR program.

When are the transactions processed? The debits from individual accounts and the lump sum credits to the congregational accounts happen on the 20 th day of each month (or the next business day if the 20 th falls on a weekend).

How would we keep track of who is giving what to what?? A monthly printout is sent to each congregation participating in the PAR program. This report, produced at the UC National Office, includes information needed by treasurers to balance their books …and provide income tax receipts. (e.g. donor names, amounts given to up to three accounts, envelope #’s, total donations and total fees.)

How does a giver change the amount of his/her gift or change to a different account? All such changes go through a named contact person in the local congregation or pastoral charge. That person will have forms to facilitate changes, additions and deletions to the system.

What does a PAR giver do when the offering plate comes around? The PAR program offers small cards for the offering plate. The cards are printed with the words: “My offering has been given by Pre- Authorized Remittance.” A congregation can regularly recycle these cards.

Promoting PAR Inform/Educate using different methods over time: –Skit in Church –Announcement or promotion during worship –Information in bulletin –Brochures in pew –Article in Newsletter –Every member mailing (with follow-up) –Chart/thermometer in porch or hall (#’s on PAR

How can I promote this program in my local pastoral charge? Packages of Information on PAR can be received by contacting Cathy Guo at National: or Tel: ext. If you have any questions, or need more information, contact Roger Janes at the Conference Office in Grand Falls-Windsor.

How can we help you with a PAR Campaign? Resources Ideas of how to proceed Follow-up meeting to help explore best practices What do you feel you need from us?