Giving a Church Offering

It is not necessary and in fact, I'd almost be surprised if those envelopes were sent home by the school. Most churches have those envelopes in accessible places for parishoners to pick up and use, and kids are notorious for just taking stuff like that, they just like to pick things up. Could it be that she just grabbed some while walking the halls or something and they were in her backpack? I would participate in the preschool fundraisers but you are in no way obligated to do anything else especially if you do not attend the church there.

You are not required to give, it is fully your choice. You might even want to ask them where the money goes. I have one son in 5th grade at a Lutheran private school and the other son is in the same school but in the preschool program. Their Chapel services are different from each others as well as what is done with the money collected at Chapel.

For my older son they use the money for a food closet that they donate to the poor families in the area yet for my preschool son, they use the money for extra supplies and such for the classroom. So the money does not necessarily go to a strictly religious cause it could be going to just a good cause in general. Just check it out.

my kids have gone to 2 different Christian preschools and neither requested church offerings. And when there were fundraisers, both schools were very clear that the funds were for the *school* and not for the church general funds (with the exception of one or two fundraisers that were for orphanages supported by the churches). So I'd be surprised if the offering envelopes were really intended as a request for offerings (IMO if they *were* asking for an offering, they'd probably have had a note or letter accompanying the envelope), but you could check with the teachers or directors to find out for sure.

You don't have to, I don't think. There will be a lot of "religious" things like this, that she will be encouraged to do. She is in a Lutheran school, so they will do things like offering, prayers, etc. quite often.

Maybe they have an offering time at school and other kids give, so she brought home her envelopes so she would have something for the next offering. Usually when kids give and offering, it is just pocket change but they get a real kick out of doing it and it does foster generosity. If it is going to a church and kids are giving it, it will most likely go to a mission fund which is where they go to other countries and tell others about God, paint houses for the poor etc. I would ask her about it and if she wants to give, just give her some change for her envelopes:)

My daughter attends a preschool at a Methodist church. We are Christians, but do not attend this particular church. My daughter sometimes comes home with those envelopes, but I found out after visiting her classroom that they have them in the art area for them to use to put "letters" in that they "write" to their friends or parents. I have never been asked for offering money from the school for the church. They have a "food train" every year about this time to donate to a food bank, but they have never asked for offering money before. I agree with the previous poster that said to send her teacher a note or ask the director. It could be that they are in her classroom in the art area and she just brought some home in her backpack.

I find this odd as I work at a Christain Preschool of a similar denomination.and we don't do this, or ask for any type of offering for the church. Not many of our preschool students attend our affiliated church, but many parents want a preschool that teaches Christian values. I would ask the Dierctor or your teacher confidentially when you take your daughter into school the next time and talk to him/ her about it and your. Tell the teacher that you don't mind making a contribution to the preschool but say your family doesn't attend that church so you are not comfortable sending in an offerubg.If this was expected of parents, you should have been told up front b4 registering. I imagine they will be fine with what you have to say. Good luck and pls keep us posted, now I am curious!

No, but it's a good thing to teach the kids. Being charitable, taking care of the church, etc. My DD went to a lutheran preschool at the age of 3 and we always gave her a dollar or a few quarters to put in the collection plate when they went to chapel once a week.

I would call the school and just ask them to clarify it for you. If you dont want to call and ask just send her with a dollar. I doubt it's required but since it's a Christian school they will pass the plate ---and your daughter will learn that giving her little bit makes her feel good.

you dont have to, just if you want to. I know some kids like to bring a dollar or whatever to sunday school, but if she goes during the week and you already pay for the school, I dont think it's necessary.