First Unitarian Stewardship

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Liz Gustavson The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a shelter for families who have become homeless.  I have helped out with the program for over ten years.  Being the "go-to" person at church for coordinating volunteers, raising money for supplies, and in organizing "just in time" donations as families graduate from the program gives me great satisfaction. As the coordinator at First Unitarian, I also have the opportunity to develop relationships with the guests of the program because during the weeks we cover, I am there daily. For our congregation, I think (I hope!) there is a sense of pride about being a significant part of the financial support for the shelter.  There are about 30 religious congregations that are in the network; each is asked to try to make an annual contribution of at least $2000 a year; our annual Christmas Eve donation is usually three times that amount.   I think that IHN is a significant missi

Jericho Road Jeanine Beratta About eight years ago, Barbara Merritt asked me to attend a presentation about The Jericho Road Project that began in the First Parish Unitarian Church in Concord MA. Based on what I heard that day I began to think differently about volunteering. I realized that small to mid-sized nonprofits didn't have the resources, financial or staffing, to increase their capacity. But, I did know that many members of our congregation had the professional skills to provide expertise to help nonprofits focus on what they do best; program delivery. As a Unitarian I feel an obligation to work to create a better world; a world where all people matter. The challenge is finding meaningful ways to do that. I am grateful for the time I have had on the Jericho Road Worcester Board. I was able to see nonprofits expand the quality and scope of their outreach and I was able to see skills based volunteers make a difference in our community, sometimes in ways t

Michelle Przekop Michelle is a relatively new member of our congregation.  She has quickly become involved with the congregation first by joining our choir and then taking on the responsibility of Assistant Treasurer. She has recently become involved in adult faith development programming.  We asked Michelle to talk about what her involvement means to her and she had this to say: “I value the ability to share my ideas about adult development with a group of First Unitarian members who also are interested in furthering the educational opportunities for adults at church and seeing those ideas come to fruition.   Although I offered to do something different and not a UU program, it was approved.  Thus allowing a Christian based program to be offered at First U. I appreciate Deb Levering and Liz Gustavson helping me implement the 5 week program, "Embracing a Life of Meaning."  Our first meeting of this series was powerful in the stories we shared about who we are and w

Danna Peterson The Caring Circles seeks to bring together members of the church to get to know each other better.  In a closer relationship people feel more comfortable to ask for help, receive help and share ideas more openly.  We have a very talented, interesting, compassionate and diverse congregation!  There is much to learn from each other and I feel the Caring Circles are instrumental in this regard. Being a co-leader of a Caring Circle has given me the opportunity to become more involved in church activities and to become closer to the church community.  I have enjoyed making new friends and I feel more comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas on a wide range of topics.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to help the church maintain its vibrant community. --Danna Peterson “In this congregation we covenant to care for one another.”  This is the first line of the mission  Joan Russo statement of the Caring Community (also known as “Caring Circles”). How coul