Ellen Brettell
Gift of the Week – May 13, 2009
Who Gave It: Ellen Brettell
Who Got It: Association Sunday 2008
How Much: $2,595
How it Happened: Ellen Brettell has demonstrated a spirited commitment to our Unitarian Universalist faith throughout her life. She has been a member of the First Universalist Church in Denver for more years than she will say, and has served it in every lay leadership role including as its first female moderator (president of the congregation). As president of the Rocky Mountain Conference, Ellen led the merger with the Desert Conference to create the Mountain Desert District; she served on its board, and from 1986 to 1993 she represented her district on the UUA Board of Trustees. Following her term on the board, she served on the Annual Program Fund Committee for eight years, and reports that she returned from that experience a changed person yearning for congregations to “think of themselves as part of the Association…[and for us] to think outside of ourselves.”
Ellen models this; she is a passionate advocate for growing Unitarian Universalism. Committed to “passing on this faith to those to come,” she chose to support the Now Is the Time Campaign to Grow Our Faith, and designated her contribution to Association Sunday because she believes deeply in its mission: to strengthen the connection between our congregations and the Association.
Demonstrating exceptional generosity, Ellen offered a matching gift for Association Sunday 2008 up to a maximum of $2595 to support Growth In Spirit initiatives and to inspire her congregation to raise that much. In the face of these challenging economic times, First Universalist was not able to meet the full match; but even though Ellen had agreed only to match what they had given, she decided graciously to give the maximum anyway!
Ellen does not limit herself by what others do, and in going beyond, she inspires us all. Hers is a refreshing transcendent spirit, and we are blessed by her commitment to church and Association and her spirit of generosity.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
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