Pledge Giving Guide

Sunday, March 14, 2010 11:30 AM:  Second Annual UU IDOL Show & 2010 Stewardship Kick Off:  Remember how great last year's kickoff was? Make plans now to join us for food and fun, including a Chili Bake Off.  Singers, musicians, dancers, comics, jugglers, magicians–we need you to be a UU Idol this year. Please tell Jeff Chard if you'd like to be in this year's show. The UU House Band will be available to provide backup as needed. - Jeff Chard
IMPORTANT:  To view or print flyer for this event and see more details including who to contact to help, go to:  http://www.uuutica.org/march2010kickoff.pdf

This year's campaign will focus on what we treasure about our congregation as well as our hopes and dreams for our future.  In early January 2010, a number of our congregation met to share our treasures and dreams with each other.  Below is a list of highlights from that meeting.  If you were not able to be present for the original conversation, don't be shy! Send an e-mail to our Minister at revdsb@aol.com or leave a note in the office with YOUR three treasures and YOUR three dreams. Your ideas will be incorporated into the larger list, and will contribute to the ways we work together and chart our future. Every voice counts. Every vision matters. What are yours? We're all ears.

• 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 2009 -10, 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 2009 -10, in the lower left hand corner.  Cash donations should not be mailed, but only given in person at Church.

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

• 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 2010 -11, 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 2009 -10, 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.

Previously Posted:

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.

With your generous pledge, we hope to 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.