March 2009
Dear Friends,
When I arrived at Concord UU this past August, I had only the faith the Interim Search Committee had in you to go on; it was enough for me. They believed in you and the fire of your commitment to fund this church yourselves, to save the endowment for its intended purpose: shelter in emergency only. Period. I’m reminded of the words of one of our hymns:
When we live with deep assurance
Of the flame that burns within
Then our promise finds fulfillment
And our future can begin.
Now more than ever, we begin our process of shared discernment of what we need and want in our next settled minister.
Now more than ever, we begin our process of shared discernment of the fire of our commitment, each one and all, for this church and its free faith we cherish as our own.
Now more than ever, we renew the fire of our commitment for a church that thrives more from our gifts from the heart than from those of generations before or from the sale of land of which we have no more to sell.
Now more than ever, this is our church home and our children’s, and its future is in our hands.
In these uncertain economic times, we are all being asked to increase our pledges for the coming church year, to stretch toward our goal of sound financial stewardship. We can do this. When Ken Koerber and I had a stewardship conversation last fall, I pledged 3% of my salary plus housing allowance to this goal. For the coming year I have pledged an increase to 5%. That means I have pledged $2,500, and it is the most significant pledge to a congregation I serve that I have ever made. Your goal of sound stewardship is the path to the future, I believe that with all my being. And I am proud to support it to the best of my ability. We can do this.
I have no children, no school or college fees to worry about. I have no elderly parents to provide for, and I have no horrendous medical bills to deal with. And because of you, I have the blessing of work that I love in the year to come.
This I know: those of us who can increase our pledges substantially to live the dream will do so. Those of us who are struggling with a scary economy and financial obligations to family will still do the very best possible for this church. That’s who we are. This is our church; now more than ever we will do our best to fund the dreams we share for our future.
In faith,
- Olivia |
