MEMORIAL & GIFT POLICY

The policy of Oahe Presbyterian Church for the receiving and use of special gifts shall be as follows:

1. The Session shall determine whether the gift offered shall be accepted. Criteria shall include: (1) Suitability of the gift for use by the church in accordance with the beliefs and mission of the congregation and (2) Condition of the item(s) offered.

2. Once received, all gifts become the property of Oahe Presbyterian Church and their use and disposition shall be determined by the Session.

3. Gifts accepted by Oahe Presbyterian Church shall be recorded in the appropriate records.

  • The Session’s action to receive each gift shall be recorded in the minutes of the Session, with information to include the source of the gift, the name(s) of donors, and any designations for the use of the gift as agreed to by the Session at the time the gift was accepted.
  • Memorial gifts shall be recorded in the Church’s Gifts & Memorials Book by the Clerk of Session. The record shall include the date the gift was accepted by the Session, the name(s) of the donor(s) and the name(s) of the person(s) in whose memory it was given.
  • At the time monetary memorial gifts are used, the specific use shall also be recorded in the Gifts & Memorials Book. The entry shall include the date and description of an item purchased or the date of the funding authorization and description of the particular program or project for which the funds were expended.

4. A letter of appreciation for gift and a description of its use shall be sent by the Clerk of Session to the donors promptly following action of the Session to receive the gift.

5. When dedication of a gift or item purchased with a group of gifts is done, donors will be sent special invitations to attend the dedication service.

Adopted By Session November 21, 2002.
To be reviewed by the Stewardship & Budget Committee.