When I attended church growing up, my Grandmother always handed me two things before she dashed off to join the choir: a Life Savers’ mint and a five-dollar bill. While I didn’t think much of it then, upon reflection, I believe my grandmother was crafting a simple theology of generosity within me. I come from generations of poor and working-class people nestled in the Appalachian mountains. Money has always been tight, if not uncertain. The act of giving in church, which remains the central organizing factor in their lives, was an expression of care and devotion. It was a freely engaged in practice that demonstrated a mutual interest and investment in the well-being of others, all the while knowing that others were giving for our benefit too. Love, after all, is a mutual act of trust and support which transforms all that it touches.

There are many examples of this within our region and across the Association. Our people show up to support faith formation classes for our children, we enable the ongoing flourishing of the Commissioned Lay Ministers (CLM) program, and tend to one another at bedsides when loved ones are sick. Another primary expression of generosity is the Annual Program Fund (APF). Nearly two-thirds of the UUA’s revenue comes from our congregations through their support of this fund. Such giving allows us to support your ministries through the aid of Regional Staff, the UU Institute and LeaderLab, the new Virtual Hymnal, credentialing religious professionals, national and local justice efforts, organizing of the General Assembly every year, the creation of anti-racism curricula for the whole church, and so much more!

Every year at General Assembly, the Unitarian Universalist Association celebrates Leadership Congregations. Leadership Congregations are the top 50 most generous Honor Congregations across the Association. These are congregations that contribute the full amount requested to the Annual Program Fund (making them Honor Congregations) and are the most generous of all Honor Congregations.

The Central East Region is fortunate to have 17 leadership communities. Please join us in lifting up and joyfully celebrating the following congregations:

First Unitarian Church of Rochester 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock 
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Main Line Unitarian Church
First Unitarian Church of Wilmington (Delaware)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton
Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville 
Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair
Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County
Unitarian Universalist Church of South Hills
Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill

Thank you, not only to our Leadership Congregations, but to all congregations who give faithfully to the Annual Program Fund. We recognize that many congregations have worked hard to maintain Honor Congregation status by contributing the full APF Ask every year, and that the Honor designation matters. We value your long-standing commitment, and want to work with all congregations to identify a way forward. The Congregational Giving team is happy to connect with your congregation’s treasurer or other leadership to discuss APF giving. They can be reached at apf@uua.org.

Dear Ones, as we enter into this new season, I offer you this blessing:

May the Source of Life, 
that which is the Love that knows no bounds, hold us today and tomorrow. 
May the grace that abounds manifest in the generosity that we give to ourselves and each other, 
for it is in that spirit of care and mutuality that all are transformed. 
May It Be So.