Sunday, January 31st was the kick-off of our annual Stewardship Campaign. By now you should have received your brochures and pledge cards. Please let me know if you did not receive one. The Stewardship Campaign will go until the last Sunday of February, time for you to decide what you will be able to give. As soon as you have made up your mind, please bring your pledge card to the church and put it into the offering, or mail it to the office.
Please note any special gifts and services you wish to offer on the back of the card. Your offerings of time and talents are as vital to the church as your financial support.
Who would teach our children and adults,
who would take care of the building and grounds,
who would rake the leaves, shovel the snow, clear the roof,
who would host our coffee hours,
who would set-up for our wonderful dinners,
who would run the bazaar or the rummage sales,
who would account for our finances
who would run the audio-visual system or fix our computers?
Our campaign will culminate in a Celebration Carry-in Dinner to which all are invited on Saturday, February 27, at 6:00 p.m. We want to acknowledge the whole constellation of stars that makes up our congregation.
Reading over the figures of the last three years, I noted that many of you have gradually raised your level of giving to a greater percentage of your income. Your giving reflects the importance this church has for you and your conviction of its importance in our community. I am aware that some of you are not able to increase your giving and that some of us have lost our employment. We value them equally as we share our faith journey and live out our convictions.
We give out of gratitude for the existence of this church, for its liberal religious faith, "without creeds, but strong in deeds," and its commitment to the well-being of our city. The Unitarian-Universalist faith is essential in the religious landscape of Muncie, as Rev. Thomas Perchlik said last Sunday in his sermon, to be the voice that encourages other churches to join with us in becoming more just and generous. We promote discussions on racial equality, religious tolerance, gender equity, and gay rights. We work
- to alleviate poverty,
- to rehabilitate houses,
- to prepare the unemployed and underemployed for work that will sustain their families,
- to stand by young children in court,
- to support and strengthen abused women,
- to elect government officials and presidents who enact just legislation.
Our church inspires us to live in harmony with nature, and “beyond the roar of our consumer-driven culture" (Michael Durall). In his book The Almost Church Revitalized, Michael Durall argues that the UU church should be in the business of creating a community of generous givers. Giving away money is fun. Being a generous person is one of life’s richest privileges. Witness the joy of those whose home we rebuild, whose hunger we still, whose life we empower, or whom we help to obtain justice. [Read Michael Durall's recent article on this topic in UU World.]
Economist Richard Easterlin says, happiness has less to do with money, being able to buy a multitude of toys or new gadgets (think of the iPad), but it has to do with friendships and being involved in causes greater than ourselves.
We are privileged to be part of a community that can create a more just and humane world on a sustainable planet. I invite you to join us in this effort.
Annemarie Voss
Chair, Stewardship Committee for 2009-10
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287-9805
