What is a Stewardship Pledge?
A pledge is a promise to make a financial contribution over the fiscal year to support our church. The pledges of our members, the payments that are made in carrying out those pledges, make up about 80% of the church’s income – the heart of our finances and what will help our community thrive.
GIVING MENU
Stewardship FYE 2027 Campaign:
From Our Stewardship Committee Chair
For 135 years, people have shown up for this congregation. They pledged, volunteered, and participated so that First Universalist could be here when each of us needed it. Through times of uncertainty, change, and challenge members of this church chose to support something larger than themselves. Because of their commitment, we inherited a thriving community of faith, justice, learning, and care.
This year’s stewardship theme, The Work Before Us, invites us to reflect on three things: the work that came before us, the work we are called to do right now, and the work that lies ahead for future generations.
The work before us today is both practical and spiritual. It is funding the programs and pastoral care that sustain us. It is supporting the staff who guide and nurture this community. It is ensuring that this church remains a place where people can gather for meaning, connection, and courage in a complicated world.
Stewardship is one way we say yes to this shared work.
In the coming weeks, we invite you to reflect on what this congregation means to you, and to consider a pledge that helps sustain the church we all hold in our hearts, today and for the generations that will follow.
What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is the process of caring for, supporting, and nurturing the financial health of our First Universalist Church community.
What is a Pledge?
A Pledge is a promise to make a financial contribution over the fiscal year to support our church. Pledge payments make up about 80% of the church’s income – the foundation of our financial health.
How much should I give this year?
Giving is a spiritual practice. At First Universalist, we hope to create an abundant spirit of generosity, where members give freely of their time, talent, and resources to support each other and the work of the church.
As you consider your current financial footing, reflect on what brought you to First Universalist, and what sustains you in community here. Draw from your inner well of generosity as you decide how much to give this year.
Our Campaign Ask
Will you increase your pledge by 10%?
First Universalist Church is growing. Membership is increasing. Religious education enrollment is up. Sunday worship attendance is stronger. And there is renewed energy around leadership and ministry.
We are proud to be a Unitarian Universalist congregation with a clear mission and vision, healthy boundaries, and covenant.
Our Campaign Goal: $710,000
Considerations for 2026–2027
What does it cost to run First Universalist Church in the way we have come to know and love, and how do we continue to grow responsibly?
Our community today is like a garden in full bloom at the height of spring. It is beautiful. And, like any garden, it requires care. Growth brings opportunity, but also places new demands on our people, systems, and infrastructure. The budget is designed to ensure we tend this growth thoughtfully, so that our church community remains healthy and sustainable.
We invite all individual members and member households to reflect on your own financial positions, and consider how you can support the shared life of the congregation. If every pledger was able to give $300/month, the Goal Budget would be fully funded for the church year… even without additional sources of revenue, like rentals and the annual auction!
Make Your Pledge Commitment FYE 2027
Fill out a Pledge Commitment form. Paper versions of the commitment form are available in your Pledge Packet (available to pick up on Sundays if you haven’t received yours already), OR you can fill it out online.
Please fulfill your Pledge Commitment by April 30, 2026.
Your Pledge Commitment FYE 2027 includes your pledge amount and payment method (when-and-how you PLAN to make pledge payments).
We are NOT collecting payment information at this time.
Your Pledge Commitment gives us an idea of how you plan to make payments toward your pledge, but payments FYE 2027 will not begin until July 1, 2026.
- Check the data the church has on file for accuracy by June 1, 2026.
- A member of the Stewardship Team will be in touch with you if we need more information!
- Your new pledge payment schedule FYE 2027 will begin July 1, 2026.
Make Your Pledge Commitment:
Our 2025-2026 Stewardship Campaign:
From Our Senior Minister & Executive Director
When it feels like the world is being torn apart, the most radical thing we can do is build for the future. Most of us support many good organizations, but your church is something special, a place where you can see the impact of your gifts every week. This year we’ve worked hard to build on the successes of the last few years, in our programs, in our staffing, in our operations, and much more. Just like everything else, continuing to do the same things we did last year has gotten more expensive. In another year we’ll be considering the strategic plan that will guide us into the future, but for now, our hope is that First Universalist remains a safe and steady place while the winds of change blow all around us, and to do that, we need all of us to give what we can to continue building the world we dream about, together.