HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Welcome to the newest page on the site.  Here you'll find the answers to the questions you've been wanting to ask.

Topics available:
COFFEE FAQ'S
ALTAR FLOWERS FAQ'S

Coffee FAQs

The 2008 budget does not include money for coffee.  Beginning in mid-February, there will be no coffee, if there are no donations.

What can I do to help provide coffee and tea after services?

You can make a donation and/or volunteer to be the coffee person for a day.  $30.00 will provide coffee for a week.

Who is the coffee person?

The coffee person makes coffee and tea, sets out cups and other items and cleans up. At 10 am you should leave church just after Communion to start coffee and stay after forum to clean up.  (Clean up takes about 10 minutes and you may start before forum ends).   At 8am coffee needs to be made before the service begins and the rolling tray returned to the kitchen when people are finished with their coffee..

How do I know what to do?

There is an instruction sheet in the kitchen by the coffee maker.

How do I sign up to be coffee person?

There is a sign up sheet on a clip board near the coffee. 

How do I make a donation for the coffee?

To make a donation either put cash or a check in the jar by the coffee. Write “coffee” on the memo line of your check.  You can also put the check in the offering plate.

How much does coffee cost?

Our monthly cost for coffee was more than $100 in 2007.  This includes coffee, tea, sweeteners, creamer, cups, stirrers and napkins, and includes coffee for special events and the Last Saturday Food Distribution.  Remember that a cup of regular coffee costs $1.65 at Starbucks and $1.39 at McDonalds (plus tax). 

Can I pick the week to provide coffee?

Yes, you may.  Sign up on the clip board by the coffee.

Is my donation tax deductible?

No, the money for a cup of coffee is not tax deductible because you receive a tangible good (the coffee) in return for your donation.  If you provide coffee for one week ($30) or one month ($110), that amount would be tax deductible.  If you buy supplies such as cups save the receipt for your tax preparer.

May I just buy coffee and drop it off at the church?

You may buy the other items such as cups and creamer, but not coffee.  The commercial coffee maker we have uses pre-measured packets which we buy in bulk, at a very good price.  These packets save waste and time in preparing coffee.

What items are needed?

            8 oz hot cups

            Sweetener packets (Sweet’n’Low, Equal, Splenda, Sugar)

            Tea bags

            Dry creamer

            Stirrers

            Small napkins

If I have a question, whom do I ask?

Speak to Ansley Starr at coffee after the 10am service, call her at 703-256-4284 or email her: amstarr@yahoo.com.

Altar Flowers FAQs

The 2008 budget does not include money for altar flowers.  Beginning in January, there will be no flowers on the altar, if there are no donations for that week.

How do I make a donation for the flowers?

To make a donation, fill out a flower donation form (found on the bulletin board by the flower chart), and write a check. Write “flowers” on the memo line.  Put the form with the check in the offering plate, or give it to any staff member.

Who or what can be remembered in a flower donation?

Just about any thing or any one may be remembered or celebrated.

How do I write the sentence that will be in the bulletin?

Do not worry about the exact wording. Fill out the donation form and the office will word your memorial correctly. 

Can I pick the week my memorial will appear in the bulletin?

Yes, you may, or you can let the office choose a week for you. If you want a memorial to appear in the bulletin on a particular Sunday, your form and money must be in the office three weeks before that date.

How much do flowers cost?

Our contract with the florist sets a cost of _$55_ per week. This pays for two flower arrangements on the altar. However, this is the 2007 contract, and everyone knows that prices go up. We will let you know if the cost changes.

Do I have to pay the whole $55.00?

No, the office can group memorials from different people to pay for flowers on any given Sunday.  When the memorial gift that is less than $55.00, please be flexible with the date for your memorial.

Can I make a donation larger than $55.00?

Yes, you may. The office will then combine the amount over $55.00 with other extra moneys to buy flowers on weeks the memorials received do not cover the whole cost.

Someone has already “taken” the week I want.

More than one memorial may appear in the Sunday bulletin. If the amount received for a particular Sunday is more than the cost of flowers, the extra received will pay for flowers on weeks when the money received does not cover the whole cost of flowers.

Can I make my donation now for a Sunday later in the year?

Yes, just fill out the form, include your donation, and turn it in now.

Is my flower donation tax deductible?

Yes it is. Your flower donations appear as a separate line item on your giving statement.

What about memorials and thanksgivings on special days?

For Easter, Christmas and All Saints Day there are special forms that will be in the bulletin. Just fill one out, and put it in the offering plate with your donation. Remember to write “flowers” on the memo line of your check.

Instead of writing a check, can I just buy flowers and drop them off at the church?

Not at this time. Our flower cost is based on a contract with our florist and would be higher without a contract.

If I have a question, whom do I ask?

Speak to Anne, or call the office.