What difference does First Unitarian make in your life?

Draw the circle. Draw the circle wide. No one stands alone. We'll stand side by side. Draw the circle. Draw the circle wide. ~

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song. No one stands alone standing side by side. Draw the circle. Draw the circle wide. (from Mark Miller) Lee Bona

I first heard that song in a worship service this past June during the UUA General Assembly in Providence, RI. I saw optimism, faith, hope and strength in that song. I saw us in the words of that song and I saw what First U means to me. A couple of years ago, I would not have been able to say that. But here I am, and here we are. Twenty-four of us showing up and waving our banner at a city-wide Vigil for Unity...forty-six more signing a Unity Proclamation...standing on our steps with our minister, 30 strong, to support the glbt community...being vocal in meetings because we're believing our voices should be heard – need to be heard...showing up at worship and events to offer our time, talent, and resources.... Not just a 'coming in' but a 'going out' attitude. Those who meet us no longer see a 'holding our breath' posture but a living, breathing, life giving 'faith to be shared' stance. What First U means to me is this: being a member helps define my center and expand my circle. Besides that, being a member makes me smile. Who could ask for anything more?

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2017 Stewardship Interview Series

You might remember that as part of last year's campaign, the Stewardship Committee coordinated in-person visits with members of the church. The purpose of these visits was to chat about members' experiences at First Unitarian, the four goals of the Stewardship campaign* and member pledges. The core of these conversations was about participation . We discussed questions like: How are you feeling about your connection with the church? Are there any groups, volunteer activities or leadership opportunities that you'd like to be more involved in? What are your thoughts about this year's stewardship goals? Do you have any concerns? My Experience as a Visiting Steward Our family officially joined First Unitarian at the beginning of 2016. And while we had attended sporadically for years, there were lots of people we didn't know. So when Ellen announced that the Stewardship Committee was looking for volunteers to be visiting stewards, I thought it would be a fun way t...

An Outstanding Day One for the Annual Pledge Drive

" It is rare indeed that people give. Most people guard and keep. " If this observation from James Baldwin, one of our contry's most respected philosophers and novelists, is true, then the opening Sunday of our Annual Stewardship Pledge Drive was a rare one indeed. Consider these day one statistics : Total amound pledged: $96,628 (32% of our $300,000 goal !) Number of pledges: 62 (6 of these were first time pledges !) A whopping 56% increased their pledge over last year ! Let us keep the momentum going! If you have not yet sent in your pledge, do so today. This is truly a wonderful beginning, and it was made even more special by our interim minister's homily. If you missed Tracey's message, what follows are a few of her memorable and moving insights. We come through these doors in search, in need, in hope, in prayer. We come looking for something to make our lives better; to make the lives of our family, our fr...

This Community Surrounds My Life

I am always inspired and touched by the efforts to build a better world. Seth Popinchalk, Vice-Moderator Last week Scott Hayman told me about a 5K road race to benefit Abby’s house. Abby’s House is a family shelter for women and children and provides them with “a safe place to stay, regroup, and rebuild.” I am in fair shape, so when I woke up Saturday morning I laced up my shoes and drove out to West Boylston to find the starting line. I found Scott and Maddie at the registration area. I also ran into a handful of other familiar First U members wearing race bibs and supporting the event. There was no plan among members to connect with our First Unitarian community this Saturday morning, but we found each other among the crowd of about 300. I was reminded that I am surrounded by our special community. What brings us together? We are a community because we choose to be one. We find a connection with something the church offers: the Sunday services, the sermons, the holi...

First Unitarian Stewardship

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