»Stewardship

Living the Story  

How Our World Needs This Congregation

Jesus’ teaching and our long story tell us that a commitment of our time, talent and treasure sits at the heart of our service to God.  Scriptural references abound pointing to the relationship God offers us to be active in living the gifts we have received.  In our tradition such connection is a “Covenant” and the commitments, the promises, are often called “Pledges.”  When pledges to fulfill the covenant are met – or an honest attempt is made to do so – we are “Stewards” of God’s gifts, and the story lives on.

LIVING THE STORY: How Our World Needs This Congregation    

The 2012 Pledge Campaign focuses on outreach from the members and friends of University Congregational UCC to the needs of the world we see in ourselves and in the person next to us, across the street and around the globe. Each Sunday during the campaign one area of our UCUCC’s five Ministries will be highlighted during the Sunday worship service, in the weekly Friday email, and in the Sunday bulletin: Worship and Music (Sunday mornings and other celebrations: the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion and special service, choirs and musicians, liturgists, ushers, moments for recognition and commission), Christian Education (in many forms and for all ages), Parish Life (direct parish care for members and friends, fellowship and communication), Stewardship (of personnel, facilities and funds) and Love and Justice (mission support, social action, U District service).   A Stewardship Packet of information, including more from these Ministries, will be sent to all members and supporting friends.  It has pages on why we pledge, how we pledge, our pledge goal – and, of course, a pledge card on which a financial promise is made in writing.  Your pledge can also be offered on-line (Please make a pledge now).

The outreach story of this congregation is a long one, but the human needs it seeks to address are always new – and often urgent.  Therefore, we urge you to make a pledge.  Here is more on what all this means:

Stewardship of yourself

You are a beloved child of God. Your gifts include the praise of God and prayers for the people on Sunday mornings -- and service to others you undertake as a part of your regular schedule.  If you have a child or children in your care, their participation and nurture at Sunday School and in children’s activities are gifts.  Beyond these stretches the wider purpose of the church, any church:      To Increase Among People the Love of God and Neighbor.  In Christ’s eyes “neighbors” are not identified by the false standards of society.  Since we are God’s people, “church” is about you after all, that essential part of you called “us.”  Jesus taught that we find who we are when we give ourselves away for others.  That is our calling.

Stewardship of yourself means the commitment of your ability and your time…                        

Each of us is blessed with a set of skills and talents.  These gifts are needed by “the others” in our lives … including our congregation and those God calls it to see and embrace.  In the Stewardship Packet you will find a space for indicating your desire and willingness to serve.  Giving of your talents can happen on a one-time basis, as a decades-long involvement, or for any distance in between. As you know so well, there is a lot to do, and your church-outreach commitment helps you to offer your time and talents in directed, organized and meaningful ways shared with neighbors for the good of neighbors.

…and money.                                                

Our UCUCC community is drawn from a wide variety of economic backgrounds. We encourage you and each member and friend to make an annual pledge of money, given in regular intervals which best reflects a person’s ability to do so.  In that light, there is no small contribution.  We are deeply aware that making such a commitment requires a serious, thoughtful evaluation of your resources.  It may be a financial stretch or something you’ve not done before.  All of us who pledge have been there.  The amount of money you pledge – even the fact that you pledge any funds at all – is confidential: confidential = faith shared, in this case between you and God.  We know, however, that this discipline will both shape and grow your faith journey.  Discipline and Disciple are joined at the heart.

Why a Pledge Campaign?                    

The monies that are pledged during the annual pledge campaign provide for the persons and programs that help us to follow in the way of Jesus Chris as best we can. Spontaneity of Sprit is wonderful.  So is Planning to assist the Spirit.  Your commitment makes planning our UCUCC Outreach possible:

• by our clergy and staff whose time is used daily and abundantly for a wide-range of ministry often extending well beyond our walls; 

• by the very “walls” themselves, surrounding a spot where all believers, seekers or doubters can join in the worship of God; where they may experience fellowship with no membership card required.  Here they find a listening ear and a heart of help for the those in special need of care, education and nurture of children in a creative and safe setting, small groups galore (groups for study and reflection, arts and handicrafts, community service and social action – and just being together), the not-so-small Lecture Series bringing new insights from outstanding scholar-practitioners, and a place for the homeless to meet and have a meal – to name a few in-house considerations.   

• and by the many needs we seek to address our area, in the nation and in the world: from the new McGrath House in North Seattle for young adults who no longer qualify for foster care; to the Center for Environmental Justice across the Sound at Pilgrim Firs; to dozens of faithful smaller UCC congregations in all corners of our state who need our solidarity; and through Our Churches’ Wider Mission (OCWM) and its networks, including Church World Service: just thus year in response to the Tsunami in Japan, tornadoes in Alabama, North Carolina and Missouri, hurricanes along the Atlantic coast, the uprisings of the “Arab Spring,” young women and men trapped in sex-trafficking in too many places, and refugees fleeing from too many other place.—again, to name a few. 

Your caring is the key to all of this.  When you make and fulfill your promise, you are involved.

Please make a pledge now. 

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