Giving has always been a mark of Christian commitment and discipleship.  Stewardship involves the proper use of all our resources, time, talent, and finances in all aspects of our lives.  We do this to reflect a faithful response to God’s self-giving in Jesus Christ and Christ’s call to minister and to share with others in the world.

The DPC Stewardship Ministry addresses year-round stewardship, informs the congregation of financial needs, and oversees the receiving of annual commitments.  In addition, the Stewardship Ministry plans and coordinates formal stewardship programs for our church like the Stained Glass Windows Campaign, and encourages stewardship in the family and home.  We educate members about faithful giving, promote involvement through time, talent, finances and gratitude for all God has given us.

At DPC, we gather in the sanctuary each week, thanks to God and to the people who gave this church to us—men, women and children who came before us for 150+ years.  Think a the minute about what the church means in your life . . . maybe you were baptized or married here. . . or your children confirmed.  Maybe this is where you engaged in a mission or grieved a loss.  Maybe this is where you were ordained as an elder, served as deacon or worship and study with people who care and who you now call friends.  Our gifts, like the generations before us, equip this Church to continue these holy ministries.  Who will grow in their faith and have a sanctuary and staff for mission because of what we give to generations we might never see?  This is an important consideration for us, as Christians.  How can we continue to perpetuate God’s mission at DPC?

2012 Pledge Drive:  "Giving Freely in a Fruitful Congregation"

This is the theme of our 2012 Pledge Drive.   We ask all of our worshiping community to thoughtfully consider the role our Lord would have finances play in our lives of faith and then make a responsible pledge to enable our ministry to remain strong in the year to come.  We're asking all to please make a pledge and to remember the simple fact that financial support of the church is needed and does make our ministry possible!  See the 2012 Stewardship Booklet for more details.

To make a pledge, you may print the annual pledge card and bring it with you to worship on Pledge Dedication Sunday, November 27th.  If you cannot be present on the 27th, you may return it to the church office via the mail, or place it in a Sunday offering plate on a Sunday following.  In addition, please consider completing the Time and Talent Survey annually and return it to the office as well.

2011 Operating Budget

Per Capita Connection to Presbytery

As a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), each year DPC voluntarily sends a designated amount to the Presbytery for each member we have on record. We do that as one of ~11,000 congregations and governing bodies of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  It is the way we are connected and participate in the work of the wider church. This per capita is used by the Presbyterian Church (USA): Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly to support our three governing bodies’ operating costs. The 2009 Per Capita dollar amount is $31.00 per member.  Per Capita is divided among the governing bodies as follows: $6.15 by the General Assembly; $1.45 by the Synod of the Mid Atlantic, and $23.40 by National Capital Presbytery.  We ask all members to please cover the cost of their per capita assessment.  A special envelope for this purpose is included in all offering envelope boxes.

For more information about per capita giving, please see "Q&A's About Per Capita" published by the National Capital Presbytery.

Taylor Scholarships

Drift Scholarship Fund

After years of serving the community of Drift, Kentucky working through the local Presbyerian Church, DPC established the Drift Scholarship Fund in 2007.  Interest generated from this fund goes to support the youth of Drift who are furthering their education.  Currently four young adults are being assisted with funds to help pay their tuition.  If you'd like to give to this fund, you may place your donation in the offering plate any Sunday, being sure to label your gift 'Drift Scholarship Fund.'

Special Offerings

DPC participates in the following PC(USA) church-wide annual offerings:

One Great Hour of Sharing


Christmas Joy


DPC Youth coordinate the congregation's participation in the annual Souper Bowl of Caring campaign on Super Bowl Sunday to support Germantown Help.

Planned Giving

Our annual pledges and weekly offerings help with the week-to-week operations and missions of this church.

But it is the long-term planned giving that builds a strong foundation for future generations of DPC.  While such a gift may not have immediate impact on our ministry, such gifts will bless the ministry of our church in the years to come. 

The 1855 Fund

“. . . they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry of saints ...” 2 Corinthians 8: 3-4

The purpose of the Fund is to ensure a dynamic advancement of the Kingdom of God through gifts and bequests.  These funds are intended to be permanent and non-permanent funds that will grow and give birth to programs and projects that will perpetuate the teaching of Jesus.  We will find great joy in the active planning, giving, reporting and celebrating of our Christian faith upon the charge that Jesus gave us in the Great Commission.

The 1855 Fund will receive and hold gifts from members and friends of Darnestown Presbyterian Church.  These gifts should not be made or received in lieu of gifts to the Annual Budget of the Church.  They should be made and received with a commitment to the long-term mission of this Church and the Greater Church.

There are two different funds within the Darnestown Presbyterian Church 1855 Fund.  The Ministry Enhancement Fund is for staff support, Christian Education, mission support, etc.  The Capital Endowment Fund is for extraordinary capital needs of DPC.  We worship in a very special, historical sanctuary that does require care and maintenance.

MINISTRY ENHANCEMENT FUND

The Ministry Enhancement Fund sprang from the Knighten Fund which was started to support the associate pastor position at the Church, and later expanded to support various ministries of Darnestown Presbyterian Church.  Session-approved programs would include staff support, Christian education, mission support, music ministry and other special programs.

THE CAPITAL ENDOWMENT FUND

The Capital Endowment Fund will be primarily used for extraordinary capital needs of the Darnestown Presbyterian Church property and grounds, and occasionally special mission programs and outreach.   It is expected that generally the income from investments will meet these needs, but Session may approve the use of the principal of the Endowment Fund for especially large or important projects.

Donors are encouraged to place their gifts into the Ministry Enhancement or Capital Endowment funds.  There may exist special circumstances when a donor makes a restricted gift to one of the two funds.  In this case the donor will be asked to sign an agreement that would allow the funds to be used for something other than the original purpose if it is shown that the original purpose no longer serves the Mission of Darnestown Presbyterian Church.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN LONG-TERM GIVING

Cash: You may make a single gift, a gift each year, or a pledge over several years.

Bequest in Will: “I give and bequeath to Darnestown Presbyterian Church with offices at 15120 Turkey Foot Road, Darnestown, MD 20878, the sum of $ (and/or securities or property described herein, name, __________), for the Darnestown Presbyterian Church 1855 Fund.

Charitable Gift Annuity: This is an irrevocable gift that is invested, and the donor would receive a guaranteed payment for life based on the donor’s age at time of the gift and the amount of the gift.  At the donor’s death, Darnestown Presbyterian Church woudl receive the residual value of the annuity.

Deferred Payment Gift Annuity: The same as a Charitable Gift Annuity; however, payments are made at a predetermined future date after the first year.  The longer the delay between gift date and payment date, the higher the payments and the charitable deductions.

Trusts: Revocable and irrevocable trusts and other financial and estate planning devices can benefit you and eventually Darnestown Presbyterian Church.

Insurance: An existing or a new insurance policy may be donated.  Darnestown Presbyterian Church can be designated as the primary, co- or contingency beneficiary of a policy.

Stocks, bonds, real estate: Property that has appreciated allows a tax deduction for the current market value and may reduce tax on the capital gains.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to talk to someone about a gift to the church, please contact one of the pastors or one of the Elders listed below.  Please pray and consider being a role model for a long-term gift for Christ’s mission here at DPC.  May we always be filled with gratitude for God’s blessings and faithful stewards of them in this life and the life to come.

David J. Durham                    301-963-5123                          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

William Amick                        301-977-7144                          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it