West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Gift of the Week – June 10, 2009
Who Gave It: West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Cleveland, Ohio
Who Got It: Association Sunday 2008, Meadville/Lombard Theological School, and Starr King School for the Ministry
How Much: $3,679
How it Happened: As Jack Mendelsohn wrote, great congregations and great ministers create one another; it’s a partnership of equals in which the partners balance one another, and bring out the best in one another. And that is exactly what the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Cleveland with their co-ministers, Kathleen Rolenz and Wayne Arnason, is modeling. Both ministers have long been active in the Association; Kathleen leading the UU Christian Fellowship; Wayne working with the Buddhists, serving on the UUA Board of Trustees, and currently as chair of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. On their last sabbatical, they studied and wrote a book on worship. The congregation also has an impressive history, a beautiful new building addition, and a strong Denominational Affair Committee and Board of Trustees.
West Shore is a well organized, active, and connected congregation. Approximately once a month, they take special collections for worthy causes. There are of course many causes that they like to support, which has led to some competition! So we are deeply grateful that they contributed $3778 to Association Sunday 2007, and considered participating again in 2008; but with a limited number of slots for special collections, they were conflicted. At a board meeting in the fall, it came down to either collecting for Association Sunday 2008, or for the two UU identified theological schools, a purpose of great importance to Wayne, who has served on the Starr King board. He spoke passionately in favor of the special collection being designated for the schools and the board voted for Association Sunday. But the minister to congregation relationship is a healthy one; the board said they would find another time later in the church year to take a collection for the schools, and they did.
Wayne and Kathleen did a lot of publicity for Association Sunday in October; they encouraged people to bring their checkbooks, and they announced their own leadership gift in the service. They believe we will grow Unitarian Universalism by making it clear that our mission as a religious community is one that expresses itself through personal spiritual practice and work in the community. They do it – and so does the congregation. They have moved beyond “either/or” thinking, and they have cultivated a culture of spirituality and service, developing their spirit of generous living and giving.
In March of 2009, in a special collection, West Shore raised $1000 and split the money evenly between the two schools. Church staff will be taking a week long furlough without pay this summer, but they will keep their commitment to being an Annual Program Fund Fair Share Society even in this time of apparent limited financial resources. We thank the West Shore Church for their profound 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.
Updated and Popular
Popular New Searches
For Newcomers
Learn more about the Beliefs & Principles of Unitarian Universalism, or read our online magazine, UU World, for features on today's Unitarian Universalists. Visit an online UU church, or find a congregation near you.
