First Unitarian Stewardship

2013-2014 Objectives Setting Workshop, LLPC First Unitarian: We are in the Right Place I urge you to take stock this month of all the opportunities for spiritual growth afforded to you by the church.   When programming serves the multitude of spiritual needs within the congregation, our church is robust and growth is inevitable.       As Moderator Scott Hayman reminded us in last week’s blog, our stewardship pledges provide funding for the various programming within the church.  This programming is why First Unitarian is my family’s choice for a spiritual home.  It serves to sustain our connection to the spirit of love and mystery that some people call God; it unites us in a web of community greater than our routine lives of work and school; and it provides the affirmation that comes when we connect with families that share similar values and face similar challenges.      When I take stock of the programming the church provides, I am confident we are in the right place.

It is my hope that all will give generously and without hesitation to this year’s annual Pledge campaign.    Our future depends on people just like us! Scott Hayman, Moderator It is pure coincidence that this week happens to be my turn to share a perspective on Stewardship only a few days after the 75th anniversary of the 1938 Hurricane that blew through Worcester and, among many other buildings, pulverized our very own sanctuary beyond recognition.   Imagine!   People reported that the recently renovated steeple swayed back and forth in 100 mile an hour gale winds causing our Paul Revere Bell to ring out and clang until finally the structure could not withstand the fury. The roof of the church and the steeple imploded into the sanctuary and the organ fell through the balcony floor to its destruction.   Nothing but the front façade of the sanctuary was left!   But the remarkable point is what came next and how our congregation rallied without hesitation to rebuild our church.

When we are generous together, we can do more than any of us can do alone. When we are generous together, we strengthen our connections to our chosen community of faith. Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris             The ushers had finished taking the morning offering. As they began to walk toward the back of the sanctuary, 4 year old Jeffrey hopped down off the pew and ran down the aisle toward them. One arm was raised above his head and in his hand he held a dollar bill. “Wait”, he said loudly so the ushers could hear him. “Wait.  You forgot me!”  The ushers stopped in their tracks.  We watched as Jeffrey caught up to them.  He placed his dollar in the offering plate.  Everyone was smiling, including Jeffrey.  He returned to the pew where his family was seated.             He was determined.  He had his gift.  He was ready to give.  He was going to be sure he had the opportunity to give, even if it meant chasing after the ushers!  He would not be left out.  Since that now long