Greetings to all my fellow members and friends of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church-Unitarian Universalist.
As a congregation and faith community that shares common goals and strives to live the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, we have recently completed several months of looking inward and taking stock of who we are, what we stand for, what we seek to achieve, and how we work with one another. The Stewardship Committee, Finance Committee, and Church Board came out of this exercise of self-improvement seeing nothing but Extraordinary Possibilities. We see a collective spirit of regeneration and growth. It is fitting that just a few days after our Pledge Drive ends, spring will begin. And as our logo suggests, we are looking at acorns and seeing the future trees.
We have set a pledge goal of $415,300 this year (a $50,000 increase), which represents a 13.7% increase over last year’s budget. This number is a fiscally responsible minimum goal which allows us to maintain our priorities (staff, services, facilities, and core outreach/community enrichment programs), stay out of the red, have a little leftover for unforeseen circumstances, and avoid an emergency appeal for donations to keep us afloat. We will certainly accept more than our goal amount, which could enable us to consider increasing support to identified aims (e.g. enhanced salary equity, staff hours, and UUA contribution) or canvas the TJMC-UU community for new initiatives to fund. Please, review your personal situation and pledge what your circumstances will allow. We promise that all pledges will be cherished equally and used for the greater good.
Just as nature is preparing to experience spring, our church community is feeling its energy renew, numbers grow, and a refreshed harmony of purpose. The Stewardship Committee sees this pledge year as one of planting an acorn which will grow over time to a great oak tree. We need not seek to grow too quickly, but add the first of many more new growth rings. We are confident that following the recent life-sustaining fiscal pruning, TJMC-UU can regrow and increase our service to ourselves, the community, the nation, and the world.
In peace,
Danny
Danny Gray, Pledge Drive Chairperson