User Support Forum

This will be the first year that we will use PowerChurch for everything and I have a question about reports. I have entered all the pledges for next year into the program and can print a report, but it is in envelope number order. The Stewardship chair really needs it in alpha order. Is it possible to do that?

BethAn wrote:This will be the first year that we will use PowerChurch for everything and I have a question about reports. I have entered all the pledges for next year into the program and can print a report, but it is in envelope number order. The Stewardship chair really needs it in alpha order. Is it possible to do that?

Sounds like another good idea to add to the wish list . We usually reassign numbers every 4 years or so, which means that by the 3rd year, the numeric order, does not always result in an alpha order.

This church has always let each family pick their own envelope number. I tried one year assigning numbers, but that was a miserable failure, so I let them pick their number then just assign numbers to the ones that don't take envelopes. Having the choice to print the reports in numerical as well as alpha order would be fantastic. Maybe with the next update.

BethAn wrote:This church has always let each family pick their own envelope number. I tried one year assigning numbers, but that was a miserable failure, so I let them pick their number then just assign numbers to the ones that don't take envelopes. Having the choice to print the reports in numerical as well as alpha order would be fantastic. Maybe with the next update.

How do you let them pick their own numbers ??

NeilZ wrote:How do you let them pick their own numbers ??

Probably like my non-standard answers I sometimes give at work:

"Today's answers are nineteen and green."

If that doesn't fit, you must change the question!

Jeff

Around this time of year I put the offering envelopes in the Fellowhship Hall and place a sign up sheet next to it. They pick a box and record the number on the sign up sheet. Anyone who doesn't pick up a box I assign them a number. (Not everyone wants a box of envelopes, they just put their check in the plate.) I tried assigning numbers first but they picked the number they wanted anyway, so it was double work for me having to change all the numbers.

BethAn wrote:Around this time of year I put the offering envelopes in the Fellowhship Hall and place a sign up sheet next to it. They pick a box and record the number on the sign up sheet. Anyone who doesn't pick up a box I assign them a number. (Not everyone wants a box of envelopes, they just put their check in the plate.) I tried assigning numbers first but they picked the number they wanted anyway, so it was double work for me having to change all the numbers.

I don't mean to be critical, but that sounds like too much work for the Financial Secretary. How large is your congregation ??

What we do is assign the number, then in December, we print out labels through the contributions label utility with the envelope number and name, and stick that to the top of each envelope. All the congregation sees are their name and a number. We also have someone there to insure they get the correct box.

After two Sundays, we mail out the rest !!

This congregation is not that big. We have about 50 families that use envelopes, the rest don't. I don't attend church here so trying to get someone to sit at the table while people are picking up envelopes would be more difficult than just allowing people to pick their own numers. Most everyone chooses the same number every year anyway.

BethAn wrote:This congregation is not that big. We have about 50 families that use envelopes, the rest don't. I don't attend church here so trying to get someone to sit at the table while people are picking up envelopes would be more difficult than just allowing people to pick their own numers. Most everyone chooses the same number every year anyway.

I understand ... you'd think that the Elder for Stewardship would take care of that issue. We' have over 296 families or pledge units .. having them pull their own would be a nightmare.

I can understand with a congregation that big how hard that would be. We're small, so no problem. I still would like to see the report in Alph order, but we'll manage.