Give

Woven together with a serving spirit

Why We Give

Westminster is a special place. We are creating a kind of community that is hard to find in the world. We come together from different backgrounds, different cultures, different life experiences, and we declare that we are part of the same cloth, woven together by the love of God. Giving is an important way of declaring that we believe in our ministry – its mission, its community, and its future.

Online Giving

Donating online to Westminster is easy. In just a few steps, you can make a one-time contribution or set-up recurring giving. You’ll have the opportunity to give to the General Church fund or other ministries of the church.

Our secure online giving option allows you to use a credit card, debit card, or electronic check posted to your bank account.

Guest

If you’d like to make a one-time contribution as a guest, please click below.

Member

If you’re a Westminster member, log-in and make a one-time or recurring contribution.

Stewardship

Faith in Action

Let us love not with word or tongue but with actions and in truth. ~ I John 3:18

Our 2024 Stewardship theme is Stewardship is Faith in Action. One important way we live out our faith and our calling to love God, one other, and our neighbors is through financially supporting Westminster’s vital ministries. We are so grateful for all God has done and continues to do through Westminster! Throughout October and November, we’ll be hearing about the impact of our church on the city, the world, and the lives of our members.

We believe our church has a future. For this reason, Westminster makes careful use of our invested funds so that we can use them to maintain and operate our historic building for years to come. We seek to fund our living ministry–our ministry staff, our programs, our mission support, and our outreach–with the ongoing financial support of our members and friends.

We invite everyone to make a pledge to support Westminster financially in 2024. You can do so online or by filling out a Giving Goal card, available in our sanctuary. This is an estimate of what you intend to give in the coming year; we understand that the current economic climate is challenging and that some years we can give more, and some less. You can offer this gift in weekly, monthly, or quarterly installments or in a single installment. Submitting your Giving Goal helps us plan how best to carry on God’s work at Westminster.

How To Submit Your Stewardship Giving Goal

Online

Click the button below.
You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt.

Print Copy

Click below to access a PDF of the 2024 Stewardship Giving Goal Card.

Mail or drop off your completed Giving Goal Card to the Westminster Church Office at: 85 Chestnut Ave, Albany, NY 12110

Please contact the Church Office if you need to have a copy of the 2024 Stewardship Giving Goal Card (as shown on the Giving Goal Card PDF) sent to you for completion: office@wpcalbany.org or 518-436-8544

Planned Giving

As with any other financial decision, consult your tax and/or financial advisor to best address your situation and ensure a plan is made according to your wishes. This is not intended as legal or financial advice.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone to learn more about any of the Planned Giving options listed below, including how to donate or transfer stock to Merrill Lynch, Westminster’s Investment Management Company, please fill out this form or contact the church office.

The following are some examples showing how you can remember Westminster in addition to making an annual financial contribution:

Wills & Living Trusts
You can make a positive impact on the future of Westminster by including just one sentence in your Will or Living Trust. This gift is a simple, flexible, and versatile way to ensure continued prosperity for years to come.
Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations are easy options for supporting Westminster. You can name Westminster as a beneficiary to receive assets such as retirement plans and life insurance policies after your lifetime. Westminster can also be added as a beneficiary designation to bank and brokerage accounts.

You simply fill out a form that is entirely separate from your Will, which means that your gift will not be part of your probate estate.

Not only is it an easy way to give, but it’s also flexible — you aren’t locked into the choices you make today. You can review and adjust beneficiary designations at any time.

Transfer of Stock

You can give by transferring ownership of stock to Westminster. Our investment broker, Merrill Lynch, will work with you to create an electronic transaction.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) – See Your Generosity in Action

Make a difference today and save on taxes by supporting Westminster through your IRA.

A Special Opportunity for Those 70 ½ and Older: You can give up to a maximum of $100,000 per year from your IRA (other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA) to a qualified charity such as Westminster. The QCD is generally a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of your IRA to Westminster. You receive an acknowledgement from the church. This can help satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution. The amount of the QCD is limited to the amount of the distribution that would otherwise be included in income. Work with the trustee/custodian of your IRA to assure this is done properly.

A Gift That Honors a Life: Memorials and Tributes

A memorial or tribute gift to Westminster is a meaningful way to honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion while supporting our living ministry. We will use your gift wisely to provide for Westminster’s daily needs.

  • Tribute Gifts – Express your congratulations to honor someone on a special occasion, birthday, or anniversary. The person being honored will receive a notification of your gift.
  • Memorial Gift – Remember a loved one or a friend who has died. The family will receive a notification of your gift.
  • In Lieu of Flowers – More families are asking that a gift be shared with Westminster in place of flowers when a loved one dies. When you share a gift with Westminster in lieu of flowers, we will send a notification to the family.