»Drawing together in uncertain times:
2010 Pledge
Campaign
 Thank you for considering pledging to
University Congregational United Church of Christ.
Some Thoughts on
Drawing Together…
…by Kathryn Robinson
A few Sundays ago I arrived early for worship, so I wandered a little.
There in front of the main entrance to the church Jeff Coleman shoveled
icy snow off the steps. Below on the sidewalk stood Ann Lev and Kathleen
Morgan, greeting folks with big smiles, helping them to carry wrapped
gifts out of their cars into Ostrander Hall. That’s where Kathy Kripps
and Evelyn Crichton were organizing gifts for delivery to needy
families. Up drove Elizabeth Dickenson to drop off Nathan for Christmas
Pageant practice, which Bob Perkins was directing inside. Up drove Neil
Wiegand, who was scheduling dinner deliveries for a bereaved church
member.
Inside, some folks
brewed coffee. Others prepared Sunday school lessons. A minister
polished a sermon. A choir member warmed up. A father stood at the
window of the lounge, showing his children the corner—once an ordinary
parking lot—that seventy or so homeless folks now call home.
That morning it
struck me like a lightning bolt: We are the church called
University Congregational United Church of Christ. I am. You are. Each
one of us is. The ministries accomplished by this church are countless
and manifold—and none of us can accomplish them all by ourselves.
Most of them cost
money. And none of us can fund them all by ourselves, either.
The cost of the
music the choir member was practicing for? About $2,000 yearly.
The cost of the
elementary Christian education program the teacher was preparing? About
$2,200 yearly.
The cost of the many
caring ministries which enable parish care, newcomer welcome, and Sunday
morning coffee? About $80,000 yearly.
The cost of the
projects that enable the Mission and Social Action boards to protect the
earth, serve the needy, and build a more just world? About $120,000
yearly.
Thankfully the hands and feet of thousands of
volunteers minimize the cost of these programs. But still there are
costs to the work we do, and they are substantial: The no-frills 2010 UCUCC budget in the current economic climate runs
well over a million dollars.
We need the
church—God knows I do, anyway. A mere peek out the lounge windows tells
us: The world needs the church.
Can there be any
doubt the church needs each one of us—now more than ever? Please open
your heart, and give to the UCUCC 2009 Pledge Campaign.
Because if not us…then who?
You may make a pledge
now by using our easy on-line form. For more information on the
many giving options, see our stewardship page.
You can also simply touch base with our administrative staff with any comments, questions, or concerns.
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