Taking a quick break from our baptism series because this newsletter was timely given the weather this week. We'll pick it back up with part 3 next week!

As I send this to you, there is currently about two feet of snow outside my window courtesy of Winter Storm Fern.

And since it impacted 33 other states, there's a good chance you've felt its impact too...not just on your thermometer, but also on your Mass attendance.

Unlike most places though, here in New York, it was just a normal weekend.

Why?

Because for the past several weeks, it has snowed every. single. Sunday.

Snow boots have now become a staple in Mass attire, as has having our pick of pews due to low attendance.

And with low attendance comes the annual fear of every parish staff member during bad weather season:

How will the weather affect the collection???

So whether this was your first weekend affected by weather or your fifth, here's how I'd try to make up lost donations from storms: The direct ask or the additional ask.

The direct ask

The first route is simple. Just ask!

We assume that our parishioners think about these things as much as we do, but the reality is most people in the pews probably aren't thinking about the impact lack of attendance has on donations.

So don't be afraid to simply ask.

Thank them for their regular support, and explain that their donations not only assist the functioning of the church — everything from lights and heat to charitable work to help those impacted by the weather — but that it is also a key way they participate in the liturgy, by presenting their offerings to God in thanksgiving for His blessings.

Then, ask them to consider doing a "make up" donation if they missed Mass due to the weather.

Be sure to include the approximate amount of the deficit — seeing a specific goal can motivate people more to contribute to it!

It also helps to break out what the weekly collection goes towards, but be sure to explain how those contribute to your mission and function as a church.

For example, people aren't going to get super excited about donating towards the electric bill, but sharing how that electricity allows you to livestream the Mass for the sick and elderly may.

And most people aren't jazzed about contributing towards facilities maintenance...until you connect it to your outreach ministry of providing warm, hospitable spaces for people to encounter Christ in, which starts with the little details of cleanliness so people feel comfortable to be vulnerable.

Now, this method only works if you have other reliable ways of giving outside of dropping an envelope in the basket. Ideally, you'd send a dedicated email sharing how people can give electronically or a mailing with a self-addressed stamped envelope included that people can send back.

(Note: If you're directing people to online giving, make it super easy to find. Send them directly to the giving page digitally or include a QR code in print — don't make them search your website for it.)

But the thing is that most of these asks will only reach the people who either A) are already signed up for online giving or B) are the most dedicated parishioners who would already make up for their donations anyway.

The key group you're missing is the more passive group who contributes in person out of habit.

So for this group, considering making an appeal at the next Mass in person, stating the same points as above but asking that they consider contributing a bit more that week than normal to help make up the deficit.

If you want to get fancy, you can make one of those big thermometers to fill in, and have a fun parish-wide prize once you make up the deficit (see below for some prize ideas).

The additional ask

The other route is to have an emergency fundraiser. This isn't a second collection; it should be a fun way to get the parish involved while also making up the deficit.

Here's a few ideas:

• 50/50 with a fun twist: i.e., the winner is whoever guesses how long it will take for the snow to melt around an outdoor statue at the church, whoever drives the furthest to Mass, or voting on whoever made the best snow sculpture (church building, priest, saint, etc.)​
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• Parish swag: Sell car magnets, stickers, lanyards/keychains, reusable grocery bags, tumblers, etc. with the church logo on them (you might even get an organization like the Knights of Columbus or a local parishioner owned business to sponsor them) — bonus, this helps you spread the word about your parish too!
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• Enlist the youth group or students in need of service hours to run a car wash to help people clean off their cars after the storm or host a community gathering event like pizza and a movie, family game night, etc. with a small admission fee to support the church
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• Offer fun and unique prizes as you unlock different giving levels: i.e. at $500, the pastor will do a Q&A video about things people might not know about him (hidden talent, what he wanted to be when he grew up, the funniest thing that happened in seminary); at $2,000, the deacons will do a lip sync video; or at $5,000 the youth minister will do a polar plunge.

Here's to collections more abundant than you hoped, and spring coming soon.

For His greater glory,

Emily