Pledge Giving Table

Just as spring will come and the snow will melt, it is time again to ask each of you to think deeply about what Unitarian Universalism means to the quality of your spiritual life.
 

• Does attending our church give you a chance to reflect on the issues facing humanity and our planet?
• Does it allow you to connect with like-minded people?
• Does it perhaps challenge you to become a better person and encourage you to grow?
• Does it give you a place to seek comfort and a place to share joy?
• Do you feel enriched by the diversity of thought embraced by our religious tradition?
• Or perhaps you simply enjoy an opportunity to sing and talk and allow your children a chance to be with like-minded youth.

Through the careful management of our budget, we have also continued to offer a reliable and well run religious education program. Our House Committee has done much to keep our building in good working order. Yet, like any dwelling, there is always more that need to be done.

With your generous pledge, we hope to surpass last year’s stewardship campaign results and provide our Church with the funds it needs to pay our minister a living wage, to fund the programs that mean so much to us, and to make needed improvements and repairs to our building.

Let us start by celebrating our Church, our traditions and our welcoming community of friends with an evening of fun, food and entertainment!!  Mark your calendars!!

Volunteers are needed! If you are interested in helping to organize the food, the music, the cleanup, etc.  Please contact Debby Quayle, Sandy Scofield or Denise Morgan as listed in the Directory.

Come Celebrate!  Annual Stewardship Campaign Begins

Just as it is certain spring will come and the snow will melt, it is time again to ask each of you to think deeply about what Unitarian Universalism means to the quality of your spiritual life.  Does attending our church give you a chance to reflect on the issues facing humanity and our planet?  Does it allow you to connect with like-minded people?  Does it perhaps challenge you to become a better person and encourage you to grow?   Does it give you a place to seek comfort and a place to share joy?  Do you feel enriched by the diversity of thought embraced by our religious tradition?  Or perhaps you simply enjoy an opportunity to sing and talk and allow your children a chance to be with like-minded youth.

Whatever your reasons for being a part of our religious community, whether many or few, it is time to honor them by making a financial pledge. We weathered much this past year and we survived!  We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced, wise and articulate minister who joined us in October and I think you will agree Rev. Blanchard is just what we needed!  Through the careful management of our budget, we have also continued to offer a reliable and well run religious education program. Our House Committee has done much to keep our building in good working order. Yet, like any dwelling, there is always more that need to be done.

With your generous pledge, we hope to surpass last year’s stewardship campaign results and provide our Church with the funds it needs to pay our minister a living wage, to fund the programs that mean so much to us, and to make needed improvements and repairs to our building.

       - Debby Quayle, Moderator

Light One Candle

Light one candle for our congregation that we may heal and grow and prosper  together.   We began our stewardship campaign on March 15 with a wonderful potluck celebration and our pledges for the year ahead really matter.   If ever there was a time when our community needed our light to shine brightly, it  is now.  We all face the fear of what will happen with the economy and how will it affect each of us.  That may cause some to be shy about how much they pledge, but the larger picture suggests that we need to be a source of enlightenment and inspiration for ourselves and those who share our vision for a better world.

When I used to be chair of the Stewardship Committee, my favorite slogan came a few years ago and it was “Fulfilling Our Journeys Together”.  The message was simple.  What contribution could be more important than that which helps us live a better life.  We are enriched by our Sunday services, our sense of community and the opportunity to live by the principles that bring us together.

As a person who will soon retire, I will experience a smaller income, but I am keeping my pledge the same.  This will be a higher percent of my income.  Please take a serious look at our giving guide to see what percent of your income you can give.  Then, assimilate your pledge into your budget, so your contribution takes on the same importance as your rent, mortgage, utilities, car payment, cable, phone, etc.

We are all in this together, and if we all give according to our ability, we will continue to shine.  Bill Gazitano

Stewardship Campaign

We are well on our way to reaching our goal!  Thanks to everyone who has pledged so far!!

Please remember that our pledges account for the majority of our budget, which pays for the programs we enjoy, our heat and lights, our RE coordinator, office assistant and, most of all, our minister.  Every contribution, big and small, makes a difference!! To avoid cutbacks, we still need to raise about $20,000, so if you have not completed a pledge card for the upcoming year (July 1 - June 30), please do so at your earliest convenience.

Pledge cards can be obtained at the Church or you can send a note to the Church in care of Elaine Griswold.  Please indicate your pledge amount, how it is to be paid (one sum, quarterly, monthly, etc.) and your name and address.  If you have any questions, please see any member of the board.   Debby

• Pledging:  Pledging is agreeing to give a specific amount of money for a current or upcoming budget year.  Members and active friends are asked to consider making a pledge, so we can plan our resources for the year ahead.  Our pledge campaign usually occurs in the Spring, so we can pass our annual budget for the year ahead, during our June Annual Meeting.  Those who have been members at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting, and have made an identifiable contribution for the current or upcoming year, can vote on the budget and other congregational issues.
• We ask all members and active friends to consider a pledge of 2 to 5 % of their gross annual household income, and to choose the most convenient way of contributing, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly or one advanced payment.
• Pledge installments can be paid by check payable to: "Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica".  Write "pledge" and the current year, IE 2004 -05, in the memo section of the check.  They can be given in the collection, or mailed to the above address attn: Finance Secretary.   Cash can be put in a sealed envelope with your name and the word "pledge" and the current year, IE 2004 -05, in the lower left hand corner.  Cash donations should not be mailed, but only given in person at Church.

•  New Member Pledging:  If you have recently joined our Church, or are thinking about joining, you can make an annual pledge for the current year, based on the number of months left in this current budget year.  For more information, click on New Member Pledging.

Our Current Pledge Drive:  Each spring, we ask all current members and active friends to pledge for the upcoming year.  Click on "Our Current Pledge Drive" for details.
 
• Pledge Card
• Pledge Giving Table

• Newsletter Donation:  We will send you our newsletter to those who request it.  If you   are not a member, and you do not make any other donation to our congregation, you are welcome to send a donation of up to $25.00.  Please send a check payable to: "Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica" and write "newsletter" and the current year,IE 2004 -05, in the memo section of your check.  Mail to the address listed above attention:  Finance Secretary.

• General Donation:  If you would like to make a more substantial donation for the work of our congregation, your contribution will be greatly appreciated.  It will help us reach more individuals, who can benefit from our presence in the local community.  Please send a check payable to: "Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica" and write "donation" and  the current year, IE 2004 -05, in the memo section of your check.  Mail to the address listed above attention:  Finance Secretary.

• Planned Giving:   If you would like to have us remembered in your will, please consult with your Attorney.  We will be very grateful for thinking of us.  More information about planned giving is available at Planned Giving.