Building Our Future

Annual Fund Drive

At this time of the year, the Fellowship holds its Annual Fund Drive, seeking to maintain our current financial position and pursue our dreams for the future.

We believe the Unitarian Universalist movement, as a religious, ethical, and social force, is more important than ever. We want our Fellowship to thrive even as we endure the social and political storms around us. We believe our voices matter, our witness matters, and we want to strengthen our Fellowship as much as possible.

If you face financial struggles, the Fellowship does not wish to intrude into your life with a request for money. Instead, we would like to know what is happening, and seek, if possible, to explore ways we can be helpful. Please contact the Interim Minister at minister@uufws.org,  Caron Armstrong at coordinator@uufws.org, Pam Lepley at dre@uufws.org, or Patricia Ricono at care@uufws.org to let us know about your situation.

If you are currently blessed with stable finances, the following message is directed to you:

Rather than shrink back from the challenges around us, we have chosen to boldly affirm our hopes, dreams, and aspirations for this Fellowship and for its future. To that end, next year’s budget reflects an increase of 20%. We are asking our members and friends to consider a 20% increase of their pledge over their last year’s pledge. Again, we stress that we do not ask for anyone to consider making this increase if it is in any way financially uncomfortable. However, if you can consider it, we hope you will, and please know that if you can make a more than a 20% increase, we will not discourage you from doing so.

The main increases in this year’s budget may be summarized as follows:

• Building and Grounds improvement,
• Publicity,
• Beloved Conversations (a program to teach racial justice as a spiritual practice),
• Updating our technical equipment,
• Fair share payment of UUA and Regional dues,
• Staff retirement funding and cost of living adjustments,
• Settled Minister Search Committee,
• Racial Equity Institute conference,
• Eco-solutions.

Specific numbers pertaining to these summaries may be found on the attachment below.

We are excited by our future, and by this opportunity to Build our Future together through this year’s Annual Fund Drive.

Thank you for considering a 20% increase in your pledge. Thank you for your gifts to the Fellowship in years past and for all the ways you have contributed to the on-going life of this Fellowship.

In Deep Appreciation,
The Stewardship Committee of UUFWS