Dear Ones of First UU,
I have been here for just a few months and there are many of you I have not had the chance to meet in person, and yet I feel I am coming to know you. After almost three years of living with this global pandemic, we are still finding our way back and finding our way forward into this new normal. We have a say in what that new normal will be. I am here with you as your developmental minister because I believe in you. I have seen you in happier times, before the pandemic, before some of the troubles that emerged in the last few years; and I see glimmers of that former brilliance now. I hear it in the laughter we share in worship. I feel it in the fist bumps and hugs on the patio. We are on our way. You can do this, And to do this, to keep moving forward, we need to care for our buildings and grounds, pay our amazing staff and ministers, and meet our financial obligations. We are blessed with solid finances and a steady stream of income from the parking lot, but we also need all of us to do our part. We have an ambitious goal of $900,000, but my goal, my goal is 100% participation. I want every single one of us to make a pledge or to seek a waiver if circumstances to not permit you to make a pledge this year. If we all make a pledge in an amount that makes our heart glad, we will have all that we need to serve the mission of this congregation.
On Sunday, we will have a reflection from a member in honor of Coming Out Day (just think of how important our UU congregation has been to the LGBTQ+ community!). And we will all be invited to make our pledge in worship, either by completing a paper pledge card OR by raising our phones to the screen and scanning a QR code that will take us right to the online pledge for. Won’t it be grand to do this all together? Will you join with me? In faith and service, Justine Rev. Justine Sullivan Lead Minister |
Testimonial
I want to share with you my experience with pledging and I hope it inspires others to pledge what they can. I was 24 years old and a law school student when I joined this church in 1986. To say the least, being a student meant not having a lot of time or money to contribute to the community. But from day one I found a home and family in a new place where I didn't know a soul. I was safe and was able to "come out". I also found a place where I could talk to real people who weren't law students and actually had lives! I graduated in 1989 and I was able to participate more in what was then GLO (Gay/Lesbian Outreach) and Religious Education. Rather than pursue a lucrative legal career, I felt called to join the fight against the spread of AIDS and embarked on a career as an HIV prevention educator. For years, I contributed my time and signed the waiver to be a voting member. Eventually, I was able to pledge a small yearly amount to keep active as a voting member. Eventually I arranged for an automatic withdrawal every month through my bank of an amount I could give comfortably. The money came out every month on pay day so I could budget around me. As time went on, I was able to increase my pledge every year. This year I'm increasing my monthly contribution by 25% and it's still a small, comfortable amount of my income and i don't miss it. I know times are tough. Some people had lost jobs during COVID and beyond, prices for everything are sky high. It's important to watch your money. Whatever amount you can do comfortably, please set up an automatic deposit with your bank for that amount. Set it and forget it. And if there's no way you can afford a monetary pledge, sign a waiver so your can still vote and give of your time to the church. I hope we get 100% participation in the pledge drive. Sincerely, Everardo Aguilar Member since 1986 Vice President of YOUR Board of Trustees |
Pledge / Financial Commitment Form
A financial commitment is a promise to donate money to First UU for a 12 month calendar year period. Our gifts are considered “continuous.” Once a commitment is made, that gift continues each year, with the opportunity to revisit the amount of your gift every year. Members will be contacted in the Fall to ask for their financial commitment for the next calendar year. Although gifts can be paid in any timeframe or increments, it may be helpful to think of your gift in terms of a monthly amount of financial support.
We Are Generous People
First UU is self-sustaining and all members contribute time, talent and treasure by attending services, volunteering, becoming engaged in the many ongoing activities this campus offers, and giving regular financial contributions.
Our budget is approximately $1.3 million per year. We strive to be a congregation of generous givers, and recognize the joy and satisfaction that comes with being able to share our resources, financial and otherwise, to build our blessed community. Our financial contributions are an investment we make in living our values and creating a home where those values are nurtured and thrive. Major areas of investment are children's religious education, young adult and youth programs, social justice, and our worship and music programs.
While the amount of your financial commitment is a personal decision, it's hoped members will either pledge 5% of their income or give serious consideration to a plan to reach the 5% level within three years. If your financial situation makes any contribution impossible, you may make a confidential request for an annual waiver from one of the ministers.
Any financial commitment amount that is meaningful for you is appropriate. We view proportional giving as the greatest gift of all. Some of our most generous givers are wealthy, many more are not. To steward this sound base of programs, personnel, and facility, we plan thoughtfully, budget carefully, and act wisely. For a responsible budget, we must forecast realistically the ongoing support of the Congregation. Please consider your fair share and make a financial commitment according your ability.
Our budget is approximately $1.3 million per year. We strive to be a congregation of generous givers, and recognize the joy and satisfaction that comes with being able to share our resources, financial and otherwise, to build our blessed community. Our financial contributions are an investment we make in living our values and creating a home where those values are nurtured and thrive. Major areas of investment are children's religious education, young adult and youth programs, social justice, and our worship and music programs.
While the amount of your financial commitment is a personal decision, it's hoped members will either pledge 5% of their income or give serious consideration to a plan to reach the 5% level within three years. If your financial situation makes any contribution impossible, you may make a confidential request for an annual waiver from one of the ministers.
Any financial commitment amount that is meaningful for you is appropriate. We view proportional giving as the greatest gift of all. Some of our most generous givers are wealthy, many more are not. To steward this sound base of programs, personnel, and facility, we plan thoughtfully, budget carefully, and act wisely. For a responsible budget, we must forecast realistically the ongoing support of the Congregation. Please consider your fair share and make a financial commitment according your ability.
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Who to contact
Please contact Robie Evans, Director of Operations at (619) 398-4433 or robie@firstuusandiego.org.
