January 29, 2008, E-News
It's About "TIME"
On Sunday, December 23, the oldest member (about 90 years old) of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester in Mount Kisco, NY, carried the Time “Person of the Year” issue with him as he rose to light a candle during the Joys and Concerns portion of the service. He turned to the Unitarian Universalist Associatio's (UUA’s) ad, and with tears in his eyes, said that seeing it brought him incredible joy, that he could not recall having ever seen an ad for Unitarian Universalism before, and that it was “about time” that he did.
The Rev. Michael Tino reports that the Fellowship has welcomed steady streams of new visitors since September 2007 who cite the Time ad as their reason for coming. How does this story affect YOU? Read full story.
We continue to receive many inspiring accounts of the effects of your profound generosity on our whole family of Congregations. We’ll share one such story in every issue of the Giving and Generosity E-Newsletter. Read more stories.
Share the Gift of Peace with Every UU Congregation
The Peacemaking DVD and Learning Guide is one of the many projects supported by the Now is the Time Campaign. Once completed and packaged, it will be distributed to religious educators and social justice groups in UU congregations across the country by the Commission on Social Witness. These resources encourage broad and deep involvement in the Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) on Peacemaking, ultimately leading to a meaningful Statement of Conscience (SOC) supported by hundreds of our congregations.
We need your help to pay for final production costs so that every congregation can get a copy. Please consider a gift to help make this project possible.
Tampa Bay Area UU Regional Marketing Launches
Over past several months, many exceptionally generous Tampa Bay Area Unitarian Universalists have raised a combined total of $236,000 for the Tampa Bay Area UU Regional Marketing Project. This is the first region to host a regional marketing campaign as part of President Sinkford’s plan to launch three per year across the country. Tampa Bay Area UUs, along with President Sinkford, will celebrate the launch on February 9th of a wonderful media mix including direct mail, television and radio spots, newspaper inserts, billboards, and event sponsorship.
The main objectives of our national marketing efforts are to raise awareness of Unitarian Universalism and renew our energy to share our faith with others. The goal of regional marketing, however, is to grow membership through radical hospitality trainings in local congregations, and through targeted advertising letting readers know just where to find those congregations on the map.
Phonathon for Friends of the UUA
The Friends of the UUA will be conducting a phonathon appeal on the Tapestry of Faith Curriculum beginning February 13th and running through the second week of March. If you would prefer a quiet night at home, donate now to Friends!
Please also feel free to email friends @ uua.org or call our Phonathon Hotline at (617) 948-6525 at any time to request no calls, or register any feedback or concerns. The phonathon will be complemented as usual by a written appeal.
Stewardship Sermon Award - Deadline Approaching
Each year, the Annual Program Fund co-sponsors, along with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association (UUMA) and the Liberal Religious Educators’ Association (LREDA), the Stewardship Sermon Award. This award is given for the sermon judged most effective in exploring and promoting financial support of our Unitarian Universalist faith.
There is still time to enter before the February 13, 2008 deadline! The recipient will receive a $1,000 cash award and will see the sermon on the UUA, UUMA and LREDA websites. Read the full published guidelines.
UU To Do List
Email giftinfo @ uua.org to request another copy of tax-receipts for your donations to the UUA in 2007. View detailed tax information.
Let us know what you think by filling out our Association Sunday survey.
Please sign up for Association Sunday 2008 to be held on October 12th. This year’s service will focus on Growth in Spirit, supporting lay theological education and excellence in ministry.
The Numbers Update
Thanks to your contributions, as of January 29, 2008, our Association Sundays have raised approximately $1.34 million (including the $500,000 matching gift challenge).
The Now is the Time Campaign has reached approximately 74% of its $50 million goal, including $15.7 million in cash and pledges and $21.5 million in legacy commitments, as of January 29, 2008.
Thank you for your generosity!
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
