Moving Forward

by Michael Goodnow, Board of Trustees

I began attending and became a member at KUUF for community.  Through local social justice work I already knew many members.  Immediately I felt a part of this liberal religious community as I became involved with the Stewardship Committee and by eventually serving on the board.  I was invited to fill these positions because of my non-profit fundraising experience.  

The biggest difference I have seen in fundraising is that as a UU it is done with more sensitivity to economic status and with less use of guilt.  It was an honor to serve as Stewardship chair this year, as reluctant as I was, but the real honor was to have so many volunteers working together in every aspect of the campaign right through to Celebration Sunday.

The Stewardship Committee marks the end of the pledge campaign with Celebration Sunday.  The committed amount of money pledged during the campaign helps set the budget for the coming church year. That Sunday certainly had the feel of community with more than 140 of us gathered to celebrate. 

It was quite a sight to see all those members carrying in the breakfast dishes.  It reminded me of a community of ants working together, single file, to carry food to their home, singing together "Enter, Rejoice and Come In." 

We’ve now transitioned to one service on Sundays, and I look forward to worship services where I can see and hear more of us together.

It was really wonderful to learn so much history of the fellowship.  We learned about the spiritual foundations as well as the actual foundations.  Thanks to Wilma Harkins for guiding us through our journey.  I loved Wilma’s remark about our sanctuary not being narrow.  Maybe one day we’ll get that fireplace, too.

Imagine the stories that we will share with each other years from now.  We are about to embark on a journey to our next settled minister.  Soon we will identify an interim minister to start in the fall.  We are halfway through our work with our interim DRE and a year into our 5 year plan working towards our vision of the future of KUUF.

Writing this I know that we have fallen short of our Stewardship goal, so we will face cuts to balance the budget again this year.  A vibrant liberal religious community depends on lots of time, talent and treasure.  I challenge each of us to give more when we can.  We sang together "Don't be afraid of some change," and I know that "tomorrow will be a joyful day."

2010 Stewardship Campaign

It is KUUF’s Stewardship Season, the time to make your annual financial pledge to KUUF for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

This year we will look back to the courage of KUUF members of 25 years ago. It’s quite a story! With fewer than 40 members, they decided that we needed a new sanctuary, space for a strong religious education program, and a full-time minister in order to grow and thrive.

Inspired by their commitment, we will again gather our collective gifts to accomplish together what none of us could do alone.

Look for your pledge packet in the mail this month, or pick one up in the KUUF foyer. Reflect on your personal and spiritual connection with the Fellowship. How have the relationships you’ve made here enriched your life? How has your presence here enriched the lives of others? How have you grown and what have you learned?

These questions draw us deeper into grateful appreciation for the generosity of those who came before us to make our community a place that is sacred beyond measure. Our sense of appreciation, in turn, draws us deeper into thinking about the ways we can make a difference.

Please generously support our fellowship for the coming year and for those who will follow us.