Next Steps, Same Mission: Financial Systems Transition Update

Over the past several months, Sterling United Methodist Church has been taking important steps forward in the way we manage our finances, giving, and administrative systems. We are grateful to share that our transition to Ekklesia Financial Services has already been a very positive one and is helping us gain a clearer and more accurate understanding of the church’s finances and financial processes.

Alongside this transition, we have also begun working with several new partner platforms that will help streamline many of the day-to-day systems that support the ministry of the church. These include:

Over the last few months, much of this work has happened behind the scenes as we built and organized the foundations of these new systems. Now, we are beginning to move into the next phase of implementation, and there are a few areas where members of the congregation may begin to notice changes or receive communications from these platforms.

Reimbursements Through Ramp:

As we transition reimbursement processing into Ramp, those who are reimbursed by the church for purchases or ministry expenses will receive an invitation by email to create a Ramp account the first time they submit a reimbursement request through the new system.

Ramp may ask for banking information so that approved reimbursements can be deposited directly into your account. This new process will greatly improve both the speed and efficiency of reimbursements for staff and volunteers alike.

Please know that emails from Ramp are legitimate and safe to open. Once your account is established, you may also choose to unsubscribe from Ramp’s marketing emails while still maintaining full access to reimbursement and payment tracking information. However, we completely understand wanting to be cautious with financial communications. If you ever have questions or concerns about an email you receive, please do not hesitate to contact the church office for confirmation.

Transitioning Recurring Giving to Pushpay:

We are also ready to begin the migration of recurring online giving from Breeze to Pushpay.

If you currently have a recurring gift set up through Breeze, you will receive an email from PushPay on behalf of Sterling UMC early next week. This email is legitimate and safe to open. It will include two simple links: one to establish your recurring gift in our new system, and one to cancel your existing recurring gift in Breeze.

While the transition window will remain open for the next 60 days, we are encouraging recurring givers to make this change as soon as possible, with the goal of having the majority of recurring gifts moved over by May 24. Completing these steps early will help us continue moving smoothly through this transition together.

As always, we understand that financial emails and online transitions can sometimes feel overwhelming or uncertain. If anything about the process seems unclear, or if you would simply like reassurance before proceeding, please reach out to Sharon Rosenfeld or the church office. We are always happy to help confirm that what you’ve received is authentic and safe.

These transitions represent a great deal of work, but they are rooted in hope and in a belief that the systems supporting our ministry can become more connected, more efficient, and more fruitful for the future. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, generosity, and continued commitment to the mission and ministry of Sterling United Methodist Church as we continue taking these next steps together!