“Our prayers for others flow more easily than those for ourselves. This shows that we are made to live by charity.” C.S. Lewis

You can make a difference!  Donations to St Michael's maintain our works in the world, our care for each other, and the greater Worcester community.  You can make your donation into our general funds or designate them for a specific cause or activity.

Each Episcopal Parish is self-supporting.  What we spend, we must raise.  Your donation is vital so that we can continue to minister to each other and Worcester.  Donations can also be tied to a specific purpose, such as flowers in memorial of a loved one, a donation to our diaper ministry, or for some other purpose.  

Stewardship

Stewardship is all about taking care of the church.  If you would like to know more about why stewardship is so important, please click below.

Why Stewardship is so important

Pledges: The Foundation of Our Giving

At St. Michael’s‑on‑the‑Heights, pledges are the heart of our stewardship. A pledge is a personal commitment to support the church’s ministry throughout the year — a promise made in faith, not a contract. Your pledge helps the vestry plan responsibly for worship, outreach, and care of our parish home. A pledge is simply your best estimate of what you hope to give during the year. It’s not a binding contract — if your circumstances change, you may adjust your pledge at any time.

Why Pledging Matters

  • It allows the church to budget confidently for the year ahead.

  • It turns generosity into steady support for ministry and mission.

  • It’s a spiritual practice — a way to say thank you to God for blessings received.

How The Annual Pledge Works

Each fall, parishioners are invited to make a pledge for the coming year. You can:

  • Fill out a pledge card during the stewardship season.

  • Set up recurring giving through your bank or online (see below).

  • Adjust your pledge as needed by connecting with a Vestry Member or Church Treasurer

Every Gift Counts

Whether your pledge is large or small, it joins with others to sustain our worship, outreach, and community life. Together, we make ministry possible.

Ways to Give

Once you’ve made your pledge, there are several easy ways to fulfill it or make additional gifts. Each option helps St. Michael’s receive your support securely and with minimal fees — ensuring more of your gift goes directly to ministry.

Traditional Giving

Prefer paper? You can:

Drop your envelope in the offering plate on Sunday. You will find pledge envelopes in the Narthex or at the parking lot entrance. If you want to send an offering by mail, here is our mailing address:

St. Michael’s‑on‑the‑Heights Episcopal Church

340 Burncoat Street

Worcester, MA. 01606

Note “Pledge” or “Special Gift” in the memo line.

Electronic Giving

The most cost-effective electronic way to give is to have your bank mail St Michael’s a check or to set up an electronic transfer. You can do this in your bank’s website or app. Every bank is a little different so please be sure to look at what works best for you.

Bank Bill Pay and ACH Transfers

ACH Transfer: An electronic payment that moves money directly from your account to the church’s account. Some banks charge a small fee for this service. If you think this is your choice, please contact us about the church account number.

Bill Pay Check: If your bank charges for ACH, you can instead set up Bill Pay. The bank will mail a paper check for free, and St. Michael’s receives the full amount.

Either method works beautifully — and both can be set up as recurring gifts, so your pledge is fulfilled automatically. And in many cases, you can do these from your banking app on your phone.

If you’d like help setting this up, contact our Assistant Treasurer, Ellen Lincourt — we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.