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Sometimes called Stewardship Sunday (or Celebration), this service often falls a few months before the congregation's fiscal year begins. A "canvass" or "pledge drive" is the concentrated moment in the congregational year when members and friends are asked to make promises of financial support to the congregation throughout the coming fiscal year. (Congregations who begin their fiscal year on July 1st typically hold a Stewardship Sunday in March or April; those who begin a fiscal year on January 1st would focus on their canvass, and their stewardship needs, in October or November.)

Themes include: stewardship of the community; giving as spiritual practice; abundance/scarcity; valuing what we say is important to us; the role of money in our lives; giving/receiving; Luke 12:34: "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Curriculum, Inspiration & Resources

  • Stewardship: The Joy of Giving (PDF, 175 pages): A five-session program guide in which primary children, intermediate children, youth, and adults can learn about stewardship with their peers, then celebrate it together.
  • Stewardship Sermon Award: Read about the current recipient and enjoy the archive of sermons. This award is given annually for the sermon judged most effective in exploring and promoting financial support of our Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith.
  • Nurturing Generosity: These stewardship resources are available for use in your congregation's adult education programs, children's religious education programs or for your personal interest.

Resources

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  • A starry night sky and and an atmospheric glow blanket the well-lit southeastern African coast as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above.
    All that we are, together and individually, is part of the abundance of the universe.
    Responsive Reading | By Theresa I. Soto | November 11, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Canvass/Pledge, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Interdependence, Stewardship, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • In the green shade of a lush forest, a grand and sprawling tree catches the sunlight.
    The tree stood in the middle of the village. Its trunk was so large that it took six people holding hands to reach around it. The roots were strong and wide, and its branches spread out over the village square, offering shelter from the rain, or shade from the summer sun....
    Story | By Lynn Gardner | March 4, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Canvass/Pledge, Caring, Commitment, Earth-Centered, Generosity, Humanism, Interdependence, Nature, Stewardship
  • In the spirit of the Prophet Amos, the Unitarian minister A....
    Meditation | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Canvass/Pledge
  • Earlier this week I was speaking with a member of the church about the sermon I was going to deliver today. She said to me, “What’s the big deal?” This one’s easy. All you have to say is: “You have money. We need money. Give us your money. Then we can all go home.” So, you have money. We...
    Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Canvass/Pledge, Generosity
  • What we try to express as Unitarian Universalists, are these truths: Each of us is unique. Each of us has gifts we were given at birth – we were born with these gifts; they are wired within us. Each of us has the responsibility to apply these talents to the world. Each of us must navigate how to...
    Sermon | By Beth Graham | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Calling, Canvass/Pledge, Meaning, Searching, Service, Stewardship, Vision